The Skoda Superb has always been a favourite among Indian buyers right since the first-generation model in India that was launched back in 2004. Customers have acquired a taste for its solid build, great value, drivability and its spacious cabin. It’s a well-rounded model that’ll make you think twice before splurging on pricier German luxury sedans. For 2020, Skoda has given the Superb some updates, added features and of course, a brand-new 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine. Also, Skoda has shelved diesel engines going forward. The new Superb is sold in two variants: Sportline and Laurin & Klement. You’ll be able to spot the differences between the two, based on the interior and exterior packages offered.
Sharp and elegant
The Skoda Superb is largely identical to the pre-facelift model as the styling alterations are quite minor. Up-ahead, it gets sleeker-looking headlamps that merge with the bigger grille. The front bumper too, has been restyled, giving the Superb a fresher face; even the air dam has been restyled and is flanked by aero-enhancing Air Curtains on the L&K variant. It gets a bold character line along the sides and if you move to the rear, you will see ‘SKODA’ lettering across the boot, instead of a small badge – and this is a new initiative on all of Skoda’s new designs. Even the full-LED tail lamps have received some tweaks, and there’s a nice, huge chrome strip that runs in between. The rear bumper gets a chrome finish too and the new, 17-inch alloy wheels look great. On the Sportline variant, you get smoked-out details instead of chrome in the windows, boot and grille. Skoda Cars have also added a lip spoiler to the boot lid. By and large, it’s a very attractive and proportionate car.
Plush interiors?
Not much has changed on the inside, but we’re not nitpicking. In fact, the Skoda Superb has always felt plush, with a lot of soft-touch materials around. The detailing is good too and everything feels built-to-last. One can instantly tell that the cabin has been designed with a lot of thought, with most of the controls within reach. The dashboard is our favourite bit about the front. The L&K variant features a black-on-beige theme for the cabin, while the Sportline variant gets Alcantara upholstery, a flat-bottom steering, sportier front seats and digital dials. The seats at the front in the L&K variant are huge and supportive, and the 12-way electric adjust ensures you get comfortable easily. But since most customers of Skoda Cars end up buying the Superb, it’s very likely a major share of them will spend their time in the back seat. Legroom is excellent and the rear-left occupant can have the front passenger seat slide forward. The head restraints at the back feature fold-down extensions. Long journeys in the back seat shouldn’t be an issue, but the backrest is set a bit too upright. Also, a third passenger seated in the middle won’t be happy with that high central tunnel. There are plenty of storage paces around and the 625-litre boot is massive.
Loaded with equipment
A host of features include keyless entry and go, a single-pane sunroof, ESC, 8 airbags, configurable ambient lighting, a powered tailgate, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, powered front seats, LED headlamps, three-zone climate control, heated/ventilated front seats, drive modes, fatigue alert system, 11-speaker sound system, Boss Button and drop-down head supports and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Petrol power only
The 2020 Skoda Superb is powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection, turbo-petrol engine, developing 187bhp and 320Nm of torque, paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The new engine also makes more power and torque than the older 1.8-litre TSI-DSG. The new motor is more refined and smoother and throttle response will shock you, given the size of the car. It is ever-willing to change its engine’s character, and there’s a nice snarl from the motor as well. The engine is always lively, and the transmission shifts quickly too. The DSG transmission isn’t butter-smooth, but it’s better than most gearboxes we’ve experienced. For those who love driving, the paddle-shifters are a joy to use. It also features launch control and sprints from 0-100kph quicker than the car with the old 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine. Drive modes better the driving experience that bit more. Now while Eco and Normal work well in the city, it is Sport mode that helps you extract the most out of the engine. The suspension, set more for comfort, means the Superb doesn’t like corners but the steering is nicely weighted and changes directions quite enthusiastically. The suspension remain the same; the car soaks in bumps with aplomb. Also, grab the latest info on the upcoming cars, only at autoX.
