Still superb

James Batchelor puts a former Towcar of the Year through its paces and finds it has lost none of its appeal

The Skoda Superb Estate has long been a favourite among Brits on account of its excellent build quality, fine driving manners, enormous interior space, and sheer value for money – and that’s before you even mention its towing abilities. It’s so good in fact that the big Skoda has scooped a number of Club awards over the years, including the prestigious overall Towcar of the Year trophy in 2021.

The Czech maker launched a brand new version of its much-loved car in 2024, and it was quick to impress. While the new Superb Estate didn’t repeat its win of four years ago, in Towcar 2025 it attracted plenty of praise from the judging panel and triumphed in its caravan weight category (1,300kg-1,500kg). Here we take a closer look.

Comfort – 88%

At first glance it would seem as though not much has changed, but look closer and you’ll notice that the previous generation’s sharp creases and chiselled appearance have made way for a softer design. In my opinion, it’s less good looking than before, but there’s no denying the Superb has a quiet, refined dignity to its styling compared to more premium offerings from Germany, including its sister, the Volkswagen Passat Estate.

The new model isn’t annoyingly larger than the car it replaces, either. It is 40mm longer but this is all in the overhangs as the wheelbase remains the same. And although it is 5mm taller than before it’s actually 15mm narrower – which could help when driving down tight country lanes to a campsite.

The old Superb’s interior was more than adequate in terms of size the size, but Skoda has decided to up the space. Boot volume is now a whopping 690 litres (30 litres more than before), and a gargantuan 1,920 litres with the seats folded (the plug-in hybrid offers 510 to 1,770 litres). Of course, the Volkswagen Passat offers the same huge loading capacity, but no other estate comes close. A worthwhile option is the £295 variable boot floor which allows you to have a flat loading area and concealed storage.

Speaking of options, there are loads, and most are neatly bundled into packages. Our favourites include the Transport Package, which gives you features such as an electric sliding parcel shelf and a hands-free tailgate for £970, and the ‘Simply Clever Family Package’ with its extra padded rear headrests, a blanket (yes, really), sunblinds and a bin in the door (£670). An electric towbar is yours for £1,105 and you can upgrade this with Trailer Assist. An umbrella in the driver’s door and an ice scraper in the filler cap come as standard, however.

Rear legroom is still limousine-like – there’s generous headroom, and two six-footers can sit luxuriously back there. Up front, Skoda has given the Superb a far more modern looking dashboard. This is dominated by a huge 13in touchscreen – although its size is a little distracting (Volkswagen offers an even larger, 15in version in the Passat), it is easy to use and features clear and simple menus. If, like me, you hate fingerprints on screens, there’s even an eraser hidden under the armrest.

Skoda has tried to declutter the interior, and for the most part it has worked. It’s a shame that the gear selector has moved to become the right-hand stalk, but this has freed up plenty of storage in the centre console – so much so that there’s now a huge 5.5-litre cubby under the armrest.

Skoda hasn’t forgotten the type of customer who buys its cars, and hasn’t resorted to integrating the climate controls into the touchscreen. Ingeniously, it has developed ‘Smart Dials’ – three dials that can control various functions (primarily the heating and ventilation, but also the volume of the media system), and they work brilliantly. Generally, the interior has been well thought out, but there’s just the slightest feeling that build quality has taken a downward step. It still feels plush, but just not as sturdy as the old model’s cabin.

Driving – 80%

Under the skin the family ties with the Passat are strong. But where the Skoda differs is in the engine line-up – you can have the Superb with diesel power.

The motor fitted to our test car is Volkswagen Group’s once ubiquitous 2.0-litre diesel. Here, in 148bhp form, it’s a good engine, if a bit grumbly at times, delivering strong power and torque throughout the rev range. The seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox (the only gearbox available in the Superb range) is smooth and unflustered, while fuel economy is strong, too – we achieved 51mph.

If you need four-wheel drive then Skoda pairs this with a higher output 191bhp 2.0 TDI. Meanwhile, if you have access to a home charger, the plug-in hybrid 1.5 TSI iV might be a good option as its 25.7kWh battery unlocks 84 miles of pure EV range and CO2 emissions are just 8g/km.

Don’t dismiss the mild-hybrid petrol, though. It’s more refined than the diesel and isn’t too far behind it in terms of fuel economy (Skoda claims around 50mpg). The 1.5 TSI e-TEC slips into electric mode far more often than you might imagine, and with 148bhp it’s punchy. It’s so good in fact that it was this combo that took the class win at Towcar 2025.

Dynamic Chassis Control – Skoda’s term for adaptive dampers – is pricey at just under £1,300, but it does give more adjustability to the suspension, which can be handy when you’re towing.

Towing – 85%

The last Superb Estate was so good at towing that it took overall honours in Towcar 2021, and the new car has lost none of its appeal in this department. During testing there was a slight tug when moving off from a standstill, but from here onwards the Superb was very unflustered. The outfit felt very stable at all speeds – even overtaking high-sided vehicles on a dual carriageway presented no problems. Additionally, during Towcar 2025, judges liked the Superb’s agile handling, strong refinement levels when cruising, and the Estate’s fantastic rear visibility when reversing while hitched.

Verdict – 84%

Surprise, surprise – the Skoda Superb Estate is a fantastic towcar. It’s great to drive, offers all the tech that you could need, and excels when it comes to practicality and space. It’s an award winner for good reason.