Kgm Torres vs Skoda Superb

What's the difference?

The KGM Torres Hybrid represents yet another choice for buyers in the family SUV segment, as if there aren’t already enough! But the Torres offers a level of value its mainstream competitors can’t match. The hybrid powertrain is a winner, however KGM needs to iron out a few issues, like tyre choice and the advanced driver assist tech. But there is a lot to like about the Torres Hybrid. And it’s definitely the pick over the pure petrol version.

It’s safe to say the Skoda Superb is well… superb.

This car has consistently been one of my favourites, and that’s not something I say lightly. It's a fantastic package that combines all the best parts of comfort, practicality and driving dynamics.

All of those points stand out as key reasons why, despite the fact Australians are no longer buying passenger cars in substantial numbers, you should consider this over a similarly-sized SUV.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel and meals provided.

What a curious thing the KGM Torres is. It has typical medium SUV proportions but with over-the-top styling designed to give the impression of a rugged off-roader. But this is no off-roader.

It has a Jeep-like slotted grille, faux winch hook in the lower grille, squared-off wheel arches, a boxy shape and weird grab mounts on the bonnet that serve no discernible purpose.

It also has what appears to be a rear-mounted spare wheel with a side-opening tailgate. But it’s all an illusion. It’s just a chunky addition to the tailgate which opens upwards, like a regular SUV boot.

If you discount the fake 4x4 bits, the Torres is quite a handsome SUV, especially from the front. The grille surrounded by cool integrated LED headlights makes for a nice front end. 

The tail-lights sit a little low at the rear, and the pointlessly massive C-pillar is a bit much. But there are some appealing elements.

Inside, there’s a bit of a nod to fellow Korean brands Hyundai and Kia with the dual 12.3-inch multimedia and driver display screens. 

There are no buttons to be found on the console and centre stack so it’s a clean look. The screens and air vents are angled towards the driver, too.

Bronze is a feature throughout and it breaks up the dash nicely, as does the ambient lighting. Matching stitching is a lovely visual touch on the nicely patterned cloth seats.

It doesn’t look or feel like a base model. It definitely feels a step up from the Korando and the Musso in KGM’s stable, as well as some rivals.

On the outside of the new Skoda Superb its design is more of an evolution than revolution. This is no bad thing because I’ve always been a big fan of the Superb’s exterior design, even more so now because it’s the only one of its kind left.

From a lot of angles this new Superb gives major Holden ZB Commodore vibes, especially the wagon from the rear three-quarter.

While I like the sporty looks and glossy black highlights, I wish Skoda still offered a non-Sportline version of the Superb locally. Globally there are premium L&K versions available with chrome accents, and they look properly premium-pushing.

Inside, the Superb is a classic flagship Skoda through and through. It balances having beautifully high-end finishes with TARDIS-like practicality with ease.

Ahead of the driver there’s a sporty-looking perforated leather steering wheel which has Skoda script written out on the hub, rather than the classic winged arrow Skoda logo.

It’s an interesting look that forms as part of the new corporate design language. I imagine I’ll get used to it after a while, and it's all subjective, but I’m currently not a huge fan.

Looking around the cabin, the interior is dominated by the new 13-inch touchscreen multimedia system that’s high-resolution. It’s mounted high on the dashboard much like an iPad, which mightn’t be to everyone’s taste.

Flanking this new touchscreen is an interesting slotted air vent design that spans the entire dashboard. It’s a really cool look, though it’s finished in glossy black and will likely gather dust easily.

Speaking of black, a lot of the Superb’s interior is finished in black. I wish there were more pops of colour, whether that's with different finishes or textures to create some visual interest.

The KGM Torres Hybrid sits at the smaller end of the medium SUV set, but it still offers decent levels of space throughout, especially when it comes to headroom.

Storage is something KGM gets right with the Torres. The centre console has an armrest with large under-lid storage. There are a couple of good sized cupholders and a small slot for the phone to sit in, however it’s not super deep so it’s better for keys.

Further under the console is a large tray and two USB-C ports, plus another smaller shelf just above. There’s heaps of space in the doors for two bottles, plus additional space. And the glove box can hold the vehicle manual.

When it comes to in-car tech it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The multimedia screen takes way too long to boot up, especially when it’s hot. Which is not great because you need the screen to crank the air-con as most vehicle functions are housed in the screen. That display delay also frustrates if you want to reverse immediately after turning the car on, meaning sometimes there’s no camera display for a few seconds. It’s just not good enough by today’s standards.

The system is fine in terms of navigation and menus but not super intuitive. Swipe down for drive modes ('Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Eco'), plus some quick access options. You can always swipe down even when Apple CarPlay is active.

You can also hit the fan from left of screen to open the air con settings.

As mentioned, there’s no digital radio and no wireless Apple CarPlay. Also no wireless charger in the K30. Having to use a cord can be a pain but at least it means flawless CarPlay connection and a properly charged phone - something most charging pads fail to achieve.

The digital Instrument cluster is clear enough, but there is no head-up display.

Steering wheel controls are clearly labeled on the lovely looking thin-rimmed, four-spoke wheel.

In the back seat you’ll find ample leg, knee and toe room. There’s plenty of space behind my 183cm driving position. The rear bench is flat so there’s not as much side support as the lovely front seats.

That rear space has quite a high window line so small kids may struggle to see out.

Amenities back there include two map pockets, rear knee-level air vents, two USB-C ports, ISOFIX anchors on the two outboard seats, three top tether points and enough room in the doors for one big and one small bottle.

You get 465 litres of space (to the top of the seat back) with all seats in place. It is ample space for luggage or a big shopping haul. Drop the 60/40 split-fold rear seats and the front seats and that grows to 1526L.

You’ll find a 12-volt outlet in the boot as well as nooks on the side, a light and a cargo blind. What you won’t find, disappointingly, is a spare wheel of any kind. Just a tyre repair kit. This puts KGM behind the pace of brands like Toyota and Hyundai that at least offer a temporary spare wheel for their hybrid models.

Another quirk is adjusting to the tailgate opening upwards, not sideways as the rear 'handle' suggests.

This is where this car properly shines.

Up front there are deliciously comfortable leather seats that are electrically adjustable, heated, ventilated and have a massage function. The heating was well and truly cranked during our drive loop around chilly Canberra and it kept me nicely warm and toasty.

I also enjoy how adjustable the front seats are. No matter how tall or short you are, you’ll find a comfortable seating position.

As mentioned above there’s a leather steering wheel ahead of the driver which has perforations on it. This is handy if you get clammy hands out on the road. And I like how warm the steering wheel gets when the heating is turned on. In fact, it almost gets too hot.

The 10-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel is classic Volkswagen Group in terms of layout and design. It offers what feels like limitless configurations, allowing you to tailor the information you want to see.

Moving across, this larger 13-inch touchscreen multimedia system is a breeze to use. It features new software compared to the previous-generation Superb that looks considerably fresher.

The home screen can be configured and there are easily accessible shortcut buttons on the screen for things like the vehicle settings menu, among others.

I’m a particular fan of the shortcut buttons at the top of the touchscreen that show your favourite settings in the vehicle menu. You’re able to toggle things like auto hold, engine idle start-stop and numerous other features.

Underneath the touchscreen is one my favourite parts of this car. There are three physical rotary dials that initially look like they’re just for adjusting the climate control functions, but can do so much more. They’re called ‘Smart Dials’ and also feature in the new Kodiaq.

The outer two dials are able to adjust things like the temperature, as well as the seat heating and ventilation, whereas the centre dial can change the fan speed, air direction, driving mode, sound system volume and zoom function on the sat-nav map.

They’re incredibly intuitive to use and have fantastic tactical clicks when interacted with. It’s fantastic to see a new car that puts such a big emphasis on still having physical hardware, instead of opting for the minimal look that requires you to use the touchscreen for everything.

Another big change with the Superb is the gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to the steering column. This has been happening to a range of Volkswagen Group vehicles of late.

As a result, the centre console has been redesigned with maximised storage in mind. There are now things like a display cleaner and many generous storage spaces.

Also if you want to securely store items, there are retractable covers on the centre console which also help give it a clean look.

Moving to the second row, it’s an amazing place to sit. There is so much space on offer that it puts every single similarly priced and sized SUV to shame. You can’t beat a large sedan or wagon in terms of practicality.

Second-row amenities include heated outboard seats, retractable sun-blinds, a fold-down armrest with cupholders and a tablet holder, as well as airplane-style head restraints that fold out from either side of the head rest.

Regardless of where you sit in the Superb, you’ll be in proper comfort.

Around the back is the showstopper. As standard there’s a hands-free power tailgate which is handy if you’ve got hands full and need to open the boot.

Once the tailgate opens there’s a generous amount of boot space on offer. Skoda claims the Superb liftback has a 589L capacity with the rear seats upright, expanding to 1795L with them folded.

With the wagon on the other hand, there’s 634L of boot space with the rear seats upright, expanding to a massive 1920L with the second row lowered.

‘Simply Clever’ touches include an electrically retractable luggage cover, a retractable luggage sling, moveable luggage separators, and a vast net system.

Under the boot floor there’s a space-saver spare wheel.

The new Skoda Superb continues to only be offered in flagship Sportline trim level in either liftback or wagon body styles.

Pricing starts at $67,990, before on-road costs, for the liftback and extends to $69,690 before on-roads for the wagon.

While this is a circa-$2500 price rise over the outgoing model, Skoda has packaged in a considerable amount of equipment that was previously locked away in option bundles. As a result, this car is fully loaded.

Outside there are slimmer matrix LED headlights, new design 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior highlights, dynamic indicators and a hands-free power tailgate.

Inside there are new sport seats with integrated head rests that are also electrically adjustable, heated, ventilated and have a massage function.

Other interior highlights include a heated steering wheel, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, 13-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 12-speaker Canton premium sound system, wireless charging with ventilation, roll-up rear sunshades and heated outboard rear seats.

On the dynamics front, the new Superb picks up 'Dynamic Chassis Control Plus', which is essentially Skoda-speak for adaptive dampers. It’s an updated version which features two independently controlled valves, and allows for 15 stages of configurability. There’s now also progressive steering.

Powering the KGM Torres Hybrid is a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired with a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 130kW/300Nm, for a combined power output of 150kW. KGM does not provide an overall torque figure but clearly pulling power is healthy.

It also has a 1.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery as part of its hybrid set-up. As mentioned. this is not a plug-in.

That’s a little less than the Hyundai Tucson (172kW) and GWM Haval H6 (179kW) hybrids, but more than the Honda CR-V (135kW).

It uses a ‘dedicated hybrid transmission’ and drives the front wheels only.

The new-generation Skoda Superb is still powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder petrol engine, but it has been upgraded.

It produces 195kW of power, which is technically 9.0kW less than the previous-generation version, and 400Nm of torque, which is 50Nm more.

It’s worth noting this engine also features in the new Skoda Octavia RS, as well as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line.

The engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive sent through an all-wheel drive system.

KGM says the Torres Hybrid consumes 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle. After a week of mixed urban and freeway driving I recorded a figure of 7.0L/100km. Not bad, but it could be better.

The Torres’s Euro 6 powerplant uses 95 RON premium fuel and taking into account the 50-litre fuel tank, you could theoretically get a total driving range of about 890km.

While the new Superb is claimed to be faster, it’s also claimed to be more fuel efficient. In liftback guise claimed combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel consumption is 7.7L/100km, while in wagon guise the official figure is 7.8L/100km.

The entire range comes with a 66-litre fuel tank and it requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded.

With this claimed fuel consumption you could theoretically travel up to 850km on a full tank of petrol. In our test cars however, they were displaying 900km of range when we started off the drive loop.

Unfortunately the Superb doesn't come with any form of electrification, whether that be a mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain. Skoda Australia is currently evaluating and testing the Superb PHEV, but if it does launch locally, it won’t be until 2026 at the earliest.

While this might be CarsGuide’s first time behind the wheel of the KGM Torres Hybrid, we have driven the petrol version. Andrew Chesterton lived with one for three months. You can read his take on it here.

As predicted by Chesto, the hybrid powertrain does sort out some of the issues with the pure petrol version. Regular acceleration is smooth and lacks any of the jerkiness experienced in the pure-combustion model, thanks in part to the hybrid transmission.

There is, however, tyre squeal when you give it a boot full. That could be fixed with better tyres than the 225/60R18 Nexen Roadian GTX rubber on the hybrid grades. There was also axle tramp when I tested the Torres under hard acceleration.

The transition between petrol and electric power is seamless. Only when pushed hard up a hill does the petrol engine sound a little rough.

Of the three drive modes - Comfort, Eco and Sport - the latter only adds mild spice. Best stick with Comfort.

The Torres Hybrid’s brakes are strong and lack the spongeyness of some hybrids. It has regenerative braking which just feels weird in a hybrid. I kept it at a lower setting as a result.

It steers nicely, offering a good amount of feel and it’s sharp without overdoing it.

I noticed some light vibration through the steering wheel on coarse chip and uneven roads. But the cabin is well insulated and relatively quiet. A particularly windy Melbourne spring day was the only thing that unsettled the peace in the cabin.

Suspension is MacPherson strut up front and multi-link at the rear and in terms of handling, there’s subtle lean in corners but it feels pretty hunkered down for a family SUV. More so than a number of its rivals.

The Torres Hybrid’s ride quality is variable, depending on the road quality. On some average roads, it handles better than others. You’ll definitely notice sizeable ruts, but there’s little to complain about in urban settings.

In terms of visibility, the C-pillar is way too big. I get that it’s a design element but that, combined with the tiny rear third-quarter windows, make a head check all but useless.

Starting up the Skoda Superb Sportline you hear the familiar sound of this 2.0L engine, variations of which are used in numerous VW Group models. It’s fairly muted and smooth, which makes the cabin a serene place to be.

Setting off you use the column-mounted gear selector to change gears. It takes a little bit to get used to the new placement, but after a few uses it feels normal. This relocation has also allowed for so much more storage on the centre console.

Around town the Superb’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine barely makes itself known. The full 400Nm of torque comes on tap from as little as 1650rpm, making this car effortless to drive and almost turbo-diesel-like in practice.

Skoda claims the new Superb can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds in liftback guise and 5.7 seconds in wagon guise. This is 0.3 seconds faster than the old version.

It barely requires any thought driving in the typical urban sprawl. The car does all the heavy lifting for you.

When it comes to parking, however, there’s no way around the fact this is a long car. You may find yourself needing to do three-point turns in order to navigate tighter urban car parks.

It doesn’t help that the surround-view camera system is surprisingly low-resolution, which is disappointing given the Superb is a flagship vehicle for Skoda. It’s more noticeable because the central touchscreen is incredibly high-resolution.

As standard there’s a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which has one more ratio than the previous-generation Superb. Though this isn’t necessarily obvious in everyday driving, the dual-clutch is still a classic Volkswagen Group unit, meaning it’s snappy and intuitive.

This car comes with a progressive ratio steering system which increases the amount the wheels physically turn as you feed on more lock with the steering wheel. It helps make the car feel more agile and sporty, while also requiring less effort.

With the updated adaptive dampers you can now configure the system in 15 different ways, which is wild. This spans all the way from beyond ‘Comfort’ through to ‘Sport’.

In ‘Normal’ mode the Superb still errs on the sportier side, which makes sense because the Sportline package is standard. This also brings a 15mm ride height reduction.

Despite feeling sporty as standard, the Superb is never uncomfortable. This is really surprising because there are sizeable 19-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres.

Dialling the car through to ‘Comfort’ mode makes the drive pretty much effortless. It’s incredibly comfortable and supple, ironing out virtually any road imperfection you can throw at it.

Unlike other Skoda vehicles with adaptive dampers, this Superb doesn’t get that bouncy cloud-like feeling in ‘Comfort’ mode. Instead, it still feels grounded.

There’s an ‘Eco’ drive mode which unsurprisingly prioritises fuel economy. It makes upshifts happen low down in the rev range, and also shifts the car into neutral when coasting.

Although the car is in ‘Eco’ mode, it doesn’t feel like you’re lacking any oomph. You’ll still be keeping up with urban traffic easily.

Slotting the Superb into ‘Sport’ mode immediately sharpens the throttle response and makes the car feel like it’s hunkering down, ready to attack. The suspension and adaptive dampers noticeably become stiffer, making you jiggle about in the driver’s seat more than in other drive modes.

It’s surprising how Sport makes this huge sedan and wagon feel much smaller than it is. This is likely credit to how dynamic the Volkswagen Group has made its 'MQB Evo' platform.

Thanks in part to the all-wheel drive system, this car is an absolute beast out in the twisties. You can take corners with a lot of heat and still feel incredibly in control.

Once again, the car does a lot of the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on what’s going on with the road ahead. It’s very smile-inducing.

While this car is dynamic and thrilling to drive, it’s worth noting it’s no full-fat RS model. You reach a ceiling with the turbo-petrol’s outputs when accelerating hard, but there’s still plenty to play with. Only proper performance car nerds will care about this.

Out on the open road, the Superb becomes a great long-distance tourer. It feels like I could drive from Melbourne to Adelaide in one hit without stopping.

At higher speeds, however, there is a bit of road and tyre noise. This is common in European vehicles, but still ruins the ambience of the cabin if you don’t like listening to music behind the wheel.

More concerning, though, is the virtually brand-new Superbs we sampled at this media launch were already starting to develop noticeable rattles in the door cards. Underwhelming in a circa $70K car.

The new-generation Skoda Superb hasn’t been tested by ANCAP just yet, though Euro NCAP gave the car a maximum five-star rating. The two safety authorities have harmonised testing protocols so it’s likely the rating will eventually be carried across.

In terms of standard equipment, the Superb has 10 airbags, an upgraded autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue detection, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors and a semi-autonomous park assist.

There are ISOFIX points on the outboard rear seats, as well as top-tether child seat anchorages on all three rear seats.

KGM covers the Torres with its seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and the high-voltage battery is backed by seven-year, 150,000km cover.

Servicing is recommended every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first. The category standard is every 15,000km. KGM's service pricing is available for the first seven years with prices ranging from $349 to $454. Over that seven years it should cost $2758, which is not bad.

KGM’s dealer network consists of 65 sales and service outlets across the country, with a number in regional and rural Australia.

The new Superb, like all other current Skoda models, is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

This warranty length is slowly but certainly becoming the standard in Australia.

At this stage Skoda hasn’t detailed service intervals or service pricing. It has said it’ll offer pre-paid service packages, however.