Skoda Superb vs Volvo XC60

What's the difference?

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.

The facelifted Volvo XC60 Ultra B5 Dark is the car at school pick-up that doesn’t need to brag. It just gets on with things and it looks good doing it. It offers a strong mix of family-focused features, comfortable and composed road manners and thoughtful practicality throughout the cabin.

The updated media system is crisp and responsive, though it could use a few tweaks to be truly intuitive. Overall, the XC60 mild-hybrid remains a solid choice for families who value understated luxury, comfort and safety over flash. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does what it does well.

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 XC60 has a graceful, poised curbside presence. Its wide stance and smooth body panels give it a confident silhouette, while the redesigned grille with dark accents, integrated intake vents (both faux and real), and those sharp 'Hammer of Thor' headlights tie it all together. It’s not trying to be sexy, but it is undeniably handsome. It's the kind of SUV that turns heads quietly rather than shouting for attention.

Inside, the vibe is pure Scandi chic. There’s a refreshing lack of plasticky surfaces, with everything feeling solid and premium to the touch. The supple Nappa leather seats and expansive panoramic sunroof instantly make the cabin feel airy and refined.

Taking centre stage on the dash is a new 11.2-inch portrait-style media display. The layout is a little too reminiscent of an oversized iPad for my taste, but the crisp graphics and quick touch response are big pluses. Adding a touch of craftsmanship, the crystal Orrefors gear shifter and genuine driftwood inlays across the dash and centre console bring warmth and texture you don’t find in most rivals.

Is this facelift breaking new ground? Not really. But then, it doesn’t need to. Volvo has long been firmly planted in the premium end of the field and this update simply shows it's still cultivating all the right qualities.

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 XC60 is spacious without being sprawling. The front row is the sweet spot for comfort, with generous leg and headroom plus ergonomic seats that offer excellent under-thigh and side-bolster support. They also bring the luxury of heating, ventilation and even massage functions.

The rear row uses firmer padding, and while the backrest looks fairly flat, it’s deceptively supportive. Adults should be comfortable back there on longer journeys. Access is only slightly compromised by the wheel arch eating into the rear aperture, but otherwise it’s an easy SUV to get in and out of. My eight-year old pointed out that the rear doors are on the heavy side, though, and often need a good slam to latch properly.

Storage is well thought out throughout the cabin. Up front you get a decent glove box, cupholders, drink bottle holders, door bins, a dedicated phone tray that doubles as the wireless charging pad and a shallow centre console with two USB-C ports. One niggle. The cupholders don’t grip cups as snugly as they should.

The rear row has a 60/40 split with a 'ski-port' door and a fold-down armrest. And in the back, there are door bins with bottle holders, a fold-down armrest with cupholders and net map pockets. Rear passengers are also spoiled with dual-zone climate control, four directional air vents and two more USB-C ports.

One of the XC60’s best family-friendly features is the integrated booster seats, which have two height settings and fold neatly back into the base when not in use. They’re a lifesaver if you have kids who feel like they've 'aged out' of car seats but aren’t quite tall enough to go without. Of course, there are also ISOFIX mounts and three top-tether points if you still need to install child seats.

Out back, the boot offers a flat loading space, a powered tailgate with kick function and a healthy 613L of storage with all seats up (up to 1543L when the rear row is folded). You also get a 12-volt socket, a proper temporary spare tyre, and if you’ve got the optional air suspension (as per our test model) you can raise or lower the boot height for easier loading.

Tech usability is a bit of a mixed bag. The new 11.2-inch media display is sharp and responsive, and it comes pre-loaded with Google apps like Maps, Spotify and Assistant. But the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto isn't wireless, which feels like a miss at this price point.

The Bluetooth is patchy, with calls and music sometimes not syncing properly. A wired connection works better, especially for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but I'm not a fan of leaving my phone on charge all the time. If you’re already familiar with Volvo or Polestar’s system, you’ll feel at home, but first-timers may need a little time to adjust.

There are two mild-hybrid variants in the XC60 line-up, and the one we’re driving here is the flagship Ultra B5 Dark. Priced at $81,990, before on-roads, it costs about $7000 more than the entry-level Plus B5 Bright, but that premium buys you a longer list of included features that makes the Ultra Dark feel like the sweet spot of the range. Especially considering Volvo also offers two plug-in hybrid XC60s, but those command up to $20K more!

In terms of market rivals, the XC60 sits right in the middle. The Audi Q5 TFSI starts at $81,000, while the Lexus NX 350h Sports Luxury AWD asks $87,900, both before on-road costs.

Standard equipment is generous. The Ultra Dark gets a panoramic sunroof and Nappa leather upholstery, with the electric front seats offering heating and ventilation functions plus a heated steering wheel for winter comfort. There's a 360-degree view camera system with surrounding parking sensors and a park-assist feature.

Tech upgrades include a new 11.2-inch media display with in-built navigation, Google apps, and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, backed up by four USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad. There's also a Volvo phone app, which allows users to pre-condition the climate prior to entry, have a digital key and program the spare key for any kids who might want to borrow the car!

Families will appreciate the thoughtful touches like a powered tailgate with kick function, built-in child booster seats in the rear row, a temporary spare tyre (a welcome feature), four-zone climate control and lots of storage throughout the cabin. Keyless entry sensors on every door add another layer of convenience.

Our test car was also fitted with just over $5000 worth of options, including the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, active air suspension, tinted rear windows, and even front seat massage functions. When you consider that many rivals charge extra for equipment that comes standard here, the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark makes a strong case for itself on value.

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.

The Ultra B5 Dark tested here is all-wheel drive and has a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol mild-hybrid engine. It produces up to 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

The 'mild hybrid' tag comes from a 48-volt system paired with an integrated starter-generator. It’s not a full hybrid, so you won’t be gliding around silently on electric power alone, but it helps smooth out stop-start driving, boost efficiency and add a little extra shove when you put your foot down.

The result is an engine that feels lively in the city and confident out on the open road, with enough in reserve to make overtaking stress-free.

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.

Volvo claims combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel use of 7.6L/100km for the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark, which isn’t bad for a turbo-petrol but reminds you that this is only a mild hybrid. With a 71-litre fuel tank, you’re looking at a theoretical driving range of up to 934km which is great for a family SUV likely to see its fair share of school runs and road trips.

In my real-world testing, which included plenty of urban driving with one longer trip in the mix, I averaged 8.6L/100km. That’s a little higher than the claim, but still a respectable result overall.

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.

There’s plenty of power on tap, with enough left in reserve when you really need to push it. Around town, the XC60 keeps up with traffic effortlessly, and out on the highway it never feels strained. The transmission is fairly punctual with its shifts, though you do need to drive it a little more assertively to avoid any lag when accelerating from a stop.

Visibility is excellent thanks to the big, wide windows and higher driving position. It’s also refreshing to have a wide rear window behind the C-pillar as it's something not all rivals manage.

On the road, the XC60 feels composed and comfortable. The cabin stays quiet even at highway speeds and the suspension soaks up the worst bumps without ever feeling floaty or disconnected. Handling is equally predictable, with steering and dynamics that feel natural and reassuring. Take a sharp corner at speed and you will notice a slight loss of composure but it rights itself quickly.

Day to day it’s also very car park friendly. Parking sensors and the 360-degree camera view make manoeuvring simple, though the video feed looks a little blurry at the edges. A more seamless stitch between camera angles would improve the presentation, but functionally it gets the job done.

While the 2026 Volvo XC60 hasn’t undergone ANCAP testing yet, it continues Volvo’s long-standing reputation for safety with a comprehensive suite of features. Standard equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear collision warning, traffic sign recognition, driver attention warning and seven airbags - basically covering all of the essentials.

For families, there are integrated booster seats in the rear row, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and three top-tether anchor points. A stand-out feature is the programmable spare key, which is colour-coded in bright orange and allows you to set speed and speaker-volume limits. Which is ideal for nervous parents who share the car with teens or other young drivers.

Other practical safety touches include a protective first-aid kit and warning triangle, adaptive cruise control with stop/go function, parking assist, surrounding parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system.

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.

The XC60 is covered by a standard five-year/unlimited-km warranty, which is okay for its class, especially at the premium end. You can pre-purchase either a three- or five-year 'Volvo Genuine Service Plan'. The five-year plan will set you back $3870, which is steeper than many rivals, though Volvo sweetens the deal with five years' complimentary roadside assistance. Services are spaced at every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.

One thing for regional owners to keep in mind, while Volvo has a decent retail footprint, there are only 34 Volvo service centres in Australia. Depending on where you live, that can mean a long drive. In my case, the nearest Volvo service centre is almost two hours away. That adds travel time and inconvenience for regular maintenance or unscheduled work.