Skip advert
Advertisement

Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI

Five-door is one of our favourite family cars. But just how good is new Skoda loader?

Few cars carry as much expectation as the new Skoda Superb Estate. The five-door model swept all before it to be crowned Best Family Car at last year’s Auto Express New Car Awards. The manufacturer is also the reigning champion in our annual Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. Does the load carrier live up to our high hopes?

Advertisement - Article continues below

As with many rivals, the Estate looks better than the hatch. This is partly down to the five-door’s TwinDoor tailgate – the hauler is more conventional, and doesn’t demand styling compromises.

It’s neatly styled and well proportioned, and arguably the most attractive choice in this test, too. While it’s not as overtly sporty as, say, the Honda, the Superb’s clean design and smooth rear are very easy on the eye.

Inside, it feels as classy and well built as the hatch. Its simple centre console is easy to navigate and constructed from high-grade plastics. It looks and feels good enough to rival compact executive models for quality.

Elegance trim brings lots of kit, including sat-nav and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. But as with the other cars, the powered seat doesn’t lower far enough for really tall owners to feel truly at ease – although this is less of a problem in cars with manual adjustment.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

45,539 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £17,697
View Golf
ID.3

2022 Volkswagen

ID.3

29,650 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £17,397
View ID.3
Sportage

2023 Kia

Sportage

46,172 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £16,597
View Sportage
Discovery Sport

2021 Land Rover

Discovery Sport

61,307 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £20,297
View Discovery Sport

It’s telling that this is just about our only complaint inside. The rear seats are really spacious, providing limousine levels of legroom. Anyone who carries teenagers and adults in the back regularly should pick the Skoda.

And the boot follows this lead. With the seats in place, the wide load area provides 633 litres of luggage capacity – that’s over 200 litres more than the Honda – although a full-size spare tyre under the boot floor costs £65.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Skoda is the only car in our group with a small lip at the edge of its opening, but it doesn’t really make loading or unloading especially tricky. Fold the split rear seats and the Superb provides 1,865 litres of space, making it the number one for practicality. They don’t fold completely flat, though.

It’s just as impressive on the move. Despite costing less than most of the other cars here, the Skoda packs more punch, thanks to its powerful 168bhp 2.0-litre common-rail diesel engine. Its six-speed box isn’t as enjoyable to use as the sporty Honda’s, but it’s light and the well spaced ratios help to stir strong mid-range
pace from the engine. And through a series of bends, the big Skoda handles with impressive poise and agility.

It also rides well, coping admirably with scarred surfaces and deep potholes. Add good high-speed refinement, and it’s a genuinely talented long-distance cruiser. The Skoda even performed strongly in terms of efficiency, returning an impressive 42.3mpg in its time with us. It’s proof that you can have your cake and eat it.

Details

Chart position: 1
WHY: The five-door Superb is our family car champion, and the new load-carrying version is even more attractive on the outside. Does it stack up inside, though?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,499 off RRP*Used from £10,695
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,841 off RRP*
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £8,595
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
New 2026 Honda 0 SUV: Japanese brand to finally have an EV to rival Tesla and BYD
Auto Express senior staff writer Jordan Katsianis stood next to the Honda 0 SUV prototype

New 2026 Honda 0 SUV: Japanese brand to finally have an EV to rival Tesla and BYD

Honda EV plans are gathering momentum, and they’ll be realised in the groundbreaking 0 SUV next year
News
1 Jul 2025