Skoda Superb 2011 Review

Rear leg Head room Clever boot Safety gear

No USB jack No satnav looks nothing special

Here's the hardest-working model in the Skoda range. Why? Because it's called Superb and that's a tough badge to carry, but the big Czech does an admirable job. The family wagon range has been expanded to include a new keener-priced model - an all-wheel drive load-lugger with a 103kW/320Nm turbodiesel powerplant that sits in the low-$40,000 range, placed neatly (along with its smaller Octavia sibling) to nibble at the sales of the AWD Subaru Liberty and a few other kid-carters. 

VALUE

TECHNOLOGY 

The powerplant is a turbocharged common-rail direct-injection four-cylinder diesel with particle filter and there's plenty to like about it. It uses a common-rail direct injection fuel system that uses high pressure (up to 1800 bar injection pressure) and piezo injectors for quick and accurate direct injection, which Skoda says makes for quiet and efficient fuel use. 

The drivetrain has the six-speed version of the VW Group's twin-clutch automated manual "DSG" -  while there's been ongoing issues with this transmission it seems to be getting smoother and smarter with every incarnation; we'll reserve judgment on longevity. It operates with the new-gen Haldex AWD system that uses electronic clutch packs to direct drive as it sees fit, predominantly to the front wheels - in normal conditions only 4 per cent heads aft.

Skoda says the system quickly responds to send drive to the wheels with the best grip, using wheel and engine speed sensors as well as info from the electronic stability control system - as much as 98 per cent can be sent to the rear wheels if conditions dictate.

DESIGN 

It's conventional looks border on boring until you park it next to a Volkswagen - then it looks almost adventurous. There's not much to say about the exterior beyond it being functional and the same can be largely said for the interior. It shows its family resemblance to the VW group and offers useful in cabin storage and plenty of head and legroom, with the back-seat occupants benefiting in that area as well. 

The Superb wagon is 65mm shorter, 82mm narrower, 34mm taller and 151mm shorter ni wheelbase than a Commodore Sportwagon, but it's only the width where it feels lacking in comparison to Holden's wagon. Where three adults can sit across the Holden's rear bench, the Superb would be best left to two in the rear. 

There's ample luggage space - 633 litres according to the company - in the back for those four, all of which can be hidden by a screen and prevented from rolling around in the back by the clever adjustable luggage bar.

SAFETY 

A top-shelf five-star ANCAP safety rating is carried by the Czech wagon, which has dual front, side and curtain (front and rear) and a driver's airbag. The safety features list also includes the clever all-wheel drive system, stability and traction control, fog lights with cornering function, lap-sash seatbelts for all five occupants, parking sensors front and rear, and tyre pressure monitoring. 

DRIVING

The VW heritage shines through in the Skoda product and if you can get past the old image of the Czech brand there's much to like about the Superb wagon - space, comfort and efficiency. With 141mm of ground clearance the Superb wagon is not a 4WD, it's an all-wheel drive that runs mainly front wheel drive. 

That perhaps is not an ideal split given that it has to react to changes in traction, the Haldex system is far better at hiding changes - I'm still a fan of the more even split employed by the likes of Subaru and Audi among others.

But fuel economy benefits outweigh (at least in this family truckster side of things) any dynamic payoffs - having shown an average of 7.6 l/100km during its time carting around my brood and their associated paraphernalia, the drivetrain is easy on the 60-litre tank. 

The two-litre turbodiesel does lend itself to a relaxed driving mode, with 320Nm of torque spread across the bottom half of the tacho - gentle throttle pressure allows the DSG to slip between gears smoothly without being left behind in traffic. Peak power is 103Kw at 4200rpm but it's not really a peak you need to ascend - surf the torque wave, keep the fuel use down and cruise. 

It can be hustled if required - and keeps it's composure without leaning alarmingly and ride quality (thanks in part to 16in wheels and 55-profile tyres) is still good.

VERDICT

Dwelling in the bottom half of the $40,000 bracket is going to bring it more attention from buyers and that will certainly get more out on the roads - this is a very competent, well-equipped and composed family wagon, delivering a decent drive without breaking the bank at the bowser.

Skoda Superb 103TDI Ambition

Price: from $43,990
Warranty: 3 years, unlimited km
Resale: 41% Source: Glass's Guide
Service Interval: 15,000km or 12-months
Economy: 6.5l/100km; 171g/km CO2
Safety: Equipment 9 airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction  control
Crash rating: 5 star
Engine: 103kW/320Nm 2-litre turbocharged common-rail DOHC direct-injection four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed twin-clutch automated manual
Body: 5-door, 5 seats 
Dimensions: 4838mm (L); 1817mm (W); 1510mm (H); 2761mm (WB)
Weight: 1700kg
Tyre size: 205/55 R16 alloy wheels  (full-size spare wheel)

Others to consider

Holden Commodore Omega Sportwagon

Price: from $41,990 
Engine: 3-litre, V6 petrol, 190kW/290Nm 
Trans: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive 
Body: 5-door wagon 
Thirst: 9.2l/100km, 91RON, CO2 218g/km

"All that the sedan is, as well as being better looker than the old
Commodore rep-mobile wagon."

Subaru Liberty Sports wagon

Price: from $44,490 
Engine: 2.5-litre, flat-four petrol, 123kW/229Nm 
Trans: CVT automatic, all-wheel drive
Body: 5-door wagon
Thirst: 8.3l/100km, 91RON, CO2 193g/km
"The Subaru wagon has always been a popular all-rounder."

Ford Mondeo Zetec wagon

Price: $41,240
Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 120kW/340Nm
Trans: 6-speed twin-clutch auto, front-wheel drive
Body: 5-door wagon
Thirst: 6.2L/100km, CO2 165g/km 
"Dynamically well-sorted and a spacious interior, the diesel is the pick of the Mondeo bunch"

Hyundai i40 Elite wagon

Price: from $41,490
Engine: 1.7-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 100kW/330Nm
Trans: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Body: 5-door wagon
Thirst: 6L/100km, CO2 159g/km 
"A sharp-looking value-for-money kid-carter that will overshadow the sedan"