What's the difference?
The large passenger car segment, meaning big sedans and wagons, has taken a huge nosedive in terms of sales and available models over the past decade or so.
The Holden Commodore, Chrysler 300, Kia Stinger and even the Volkswagen Passat? All axed locally.
The Toyota Camry remains a strong fleet and private buyer option (hello Uber). But it leans more towards medium than properly large car proportions, as confirmed by industry statistician, VFacts segmentation.
The only vehicle left now before you start considering premium players is the Skoda Superb. It has just launched locally in new, fourth-generation guise.
Sitting alongside the new Kodiaq as a flagship product for the Czech brand, the Superb continues to now only be offered in a single, fully-loaded Sportline trim level. Thankfully, you still get the option of either a liftback or wagon body style.
Skoda has made a wide array of changes to this new-generation Superb, including plenty of new ‘Simply Clever’ touches, but will Australians actually care about this new version of a dying breed?
@carsguide.com.au Simply Clever? The new 2025 Skoda Superb’s ‘Smart Dials’ are a set of three physical dials that are capable of altering the following: Climate control temperature Air direction Fan speed Seat heating, ventilation Drive mode Sat-nav map zoom Volume P.S. these Smart Dials also feature in the new 2025 Skoda Kodiaq SUV#skoda #superb #sedan #wagon #car #carsguide #fyp ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au
Read along to find out.
In 2023 Peugeot commands around 50 per cent of sales in Australia’s small (under 2.5-tonne GVM) commercial van segment with its Partner range, which offers a choice of wheelbase lengths and model grades.
The French marque has recently introduced its first fully electric variant to the Australian market called the e-Partner, even though this van has been on sale in Europe since 2021.
We recently put one to work for a week, which included loading it up to the max, to see how it compares to its petrol-powered sibling.
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.
It’s a lot of money for a small commercial vehicle that’s well into its current model cycle in Europe, falls short on benchmark safety and requires convenient charging infrastructure to minimise inconvenience for owners. However, its emissions-free drivetrain is quiet and competent under load, with a range that should comfortably cater for the daily urban use small van operators typically require. Whether those positives outweigh the negatives, only a potential buyer can decide.