The Skoda Superb has been the go-to premium D-segment sedan for many Indian business folks but that doesn't give away the fact that this segment is slowly losing its sheen all thanks to the growing popularity and acceptability of full-size SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour that come at a similar price band.
We at MotorBeam tell you what has changed on the Superb and also check how does it drive and is it really worth your money?
The third generation Superb adopts a sharper yet minimalistic design language. The car shouts premiumness all around.
The projector headlights with crystal-like detailing and LED DRLs look stunning, to say the least.
There is the signature butterfly grille finished in chrome and a muscled bonnet.
The front bumper houses the fog lights with cornering function.
The strong crease running from the front fender to the tail-lights tells you that the car has grown in terms of dimensions.
Opt for the top-spec L&K trim and you get spectacular-looking 17-inch Stratos alloy wheels.
The tail-lights too get LED detailing and we feel it is from the rear angle that the Superb looks fantastic.
The simple, minimalistic and yet premium approach has been continued to the interior as well.
The dashboard layout might remind you of the Octavia.
You get a 3-spoke steering wheel, 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Canton audio system and an instrument cluster with a large MID display.
The touchscreen is easy to use and the Canton audio system churns out an impressive quality of audio.
You also get AUX, USB, SD Card and Bluetooth with SmartLink connectivity.
There is a 3-zone climate control system that chills the cabin in a jiffy and the front seats get ventilation feature too.
The seats offer stupendous amount of comfort and support and even space.
Space is in excess and even seven footers are not likely to complain.
There is acres of legroom, decent headroom and shoulder space enough for three to sit abreast.
Storage spaces are everywhere, front armrest, cup holders, rear armrest with cupholders and more.
Practicality is the name of the game and you get a massive 625-litres of boot.
While the boot is electrically operated, you can also wave your leg below the bumper to open the boot.
Skoda's 'Simply Clever' tagline wasn't given just like that.
You get clever touches in the car like Skoda branded umbrellas and roll up sun visors for rear windows and windscreen.
Other features on offer are 12-way electrically adjustable front seats (driver sear gets memory function), perforated leather upholstery, electromechanical parking brake, park distance control, panoramic sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring system and adaptive headlights.
The Superb comes powered by a 2.0-litre diesel and a 1.8-litre TSI petrol motor.
However, we are driving only the diesel here and hence we will only talk about the oil-burner's performance.
The 2.0-litre TDI mill produces 177 PS of power at 3600 RPM and 350 Nm of torque at 1500-3500 RPM.
The powertrain comes coupled with a 6-speed automatic DSG gearbox with Tiptronic function.
This engine is the most powerful diesel motor from Skoda in India.
The powerplant has some sort of lag lower down but the mid-range is strong.
It feels very refined and is barely audible inside the cabin, redlining all the way to 5000 RPM. The gears shift with the utmost of urgency.
The Superb has an outstanding ride quality and just soaks in the potholes and bad roads.
The 215-section tyres further contribute to the soft and cushy ride.
However, push the sedan hard in a corner and you will notice the slight body roll.
While handling is slightly compromised, the Superb makes for it with the responsive steering feedback.
You get Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual driving modes that alter the way the car's steering, engine and transmission respond.
Absolutely no compromise on safety, the Superb comes loaded with 8 airbags, ABS with EBD, multi-collision brake, ASR, Traction Control, ESC, front and rear parking sensors and electronic differential lock.
Coming to the carmaker's after-sales service, it hasn't been all the more satisfactory but Skoda claims to improve on that front.
As an overall package, the Skoda Superb is impressive.
It looks premium, cabin is luxurious and spacious while the drive is also quite well sorted.
If you are not a fan of SUVs and are looking for a car in the Rs 35-40 lakh price bracket, look no further than the Superb as the recently launched Passat is slightly under-stated and moreover priced higher than the Superb.
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