Skoda Superb: History, Generations and Specs

Skoda Superb at a glance

All modern Superbs are front-wheel drive with transverse engines, with all-wheel drive available in later generations. More Skoda models are in our Skoda catalogue, and its smaller sibling is covered in our Skoda Octavia RS article.

The original Superb (1934–1949)

The first Superb replaced the Skoda 860 limousines and was offered as a four-door sedan with four or six seats and a two-door cabriolet. It started with a 2.5-litre in-line six of 40 kW (55 PS), later enlarged to 2.7 litres and 44 kW (60 PS) and 2.9 litres and 48 kW (65 PS). From 1938 a 3.1-litre overhead-valve six produced 63 kW (85 PS), and in 1939 a 4.0-litre V8 with 70 kW (95 PS) followed; the Superb 3000 even had four-wheel drive. Gearboxes were three- or four-speed manuals. The car used a backbone chassis with independent suspension all round and hydraulic drum brakes. In total 2,522 were built; a few survive in the Skoda museum in Mladá Boleslav and in private collections.

Modern generations

First generation: 3U (2001–2008)

The first modern Superb was a four-door sedan built on the platform of the Volkswagen Passat B5, which it resembles in places. A facelift in summer 2006 brought new headlights, grille and tail lights and indicators in the mirrors. Ground clearance is 150 mm. The roomy, comfortable interior was considered by many to be better than the Passat's, with air conditioning, heated front seats, a six-speaker audio system and electric seats.

Petrol engines of 1.8 to 2.8 litres produced 85–142 kW (115–193 PS); diesels of 1.9 and 2.0 litres produced 74–96 kW (101–130 PS). Gearboxes were a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic, with front-wheel drive. The car was known for space, comfort, economical engines and good safety.

Second generation: 3T (2008–2015)

The second Superb, introduced in 2008 and facelifted in June 2013, was affordable and had European build quality. Its signature feature was the TwinDoor tailgate, which could open like a sedan boot lid or, with the rear window, like a liftback - each mode with its own button. The facelift brought bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, a new grille, bonnet, fog lamps and bumper, LED tail-light strips and up to 15% higher stiffness in parts of the body. Wheels range from 15 to 18 inches, and ground clearance is 139 mm.

The interior follows Volkswagen Group style, with better materials, a choice of three- or four-spoke steering wheels and Columbus navigation. The Superb was the first Skoda with a driver's knee airbag. Practical touches include an umbrella compartment and a net in the tailgate. The rear seat comfortably seats three, with a console showing time and temperature that can also hold a laptop. The liftback's boot holds 595 litres (1,700 litres folded); the wagon offers 633 and 1,865 litres.

After the facelift, engines included a 1.4 TSI with 90 kW (122 PS), a 1.8 TSI with 118 kW (160 PS), a 1.9 TDI with 76 kW (103 PS), a 2.0 TDI with 103 kW (140 PS) and a common-rail 2.0 TDI with 124 kW (168 PS). Gearboxes were five- and six-speed manuals, six- and seven-speed DSG and a six-speed automatic, and some versions had all-wheel drive. Suspension uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear axle, with a reworked steering rack and disc brakes all round.

Third generation: 3V (2015–2023)

The third Superb was shown in Geneva in March 2015 on the MQB platform (MQB-B), with eye-catching styling and turbocharged engines. The 2019 facelift brought a larger grille, LED headlights as standard and Skoda Crystal Lighting matrix headlights on higher trims, a full-width lower grille, long LED fog lamps, the "SKODA" lettering on the tailgate instead of a badge and LED tail lights linked by a chrome strip. Wheels are 18 inches as standard and 19 inches optional; ground clearance is 164 mm. A solid roof, a sunroof or a panoramic roof are available.

Inside there are leather seats with heating and, on better versions, electric adjustment with memory, a three-spoke wheel, an optional digital cluster, an 8- or 9.2-inch infotainment screen, wireless charging and colour-adjustable ambient lighting; higher trims have a cooled armrest box. The rear is very roomy, with its own vents and an armrest, though the centre passenger has the tunnel to contend with. The liftback's boot holds 625 litres, rising to 1,760 litres.

Engines and transmissions (third generation)

In Europe the core of the range was the 2.0 TDI diesel with 110–140 kW (150–190 PS), joined in 2019 by the Superb iV plug-in hybrid with a system output of 160 kW (218 PS). For the petrol versions listed above, 0–100 km/h takes 6.0–8.9 seconds, top speed is 219–250 km/h and combined consumption 6.0–7.6 l/100 km. The 206 kW (280 PS) version has fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive with XDS+ electronic differential locking. Suspension uses MacPherson struts with wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear; adaptive dampers are available, and the steering has electromechanical assistance.

Safety and technology

The facelifted Superb III can be equipped with front and rear airbags, curtain and knee airbags, light assistants, driver fatigue detection, adaptive cruise control up to 210 km/h, pedestrian and cyclist detection, surround view, blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, a parking assistant, Wi-Fi with 4G, rear sun blinds, tri-zone climate control and intelligent headlight washers. Emergency Assist can steer the car onto the hard shoulder of a multi-lane road and stop it if the driver becomes unresponsive.

Key specifications by generation

Strengths and weaknesses

Owners of the third generation praise its performance, suspension, handling, economy, spacious cabin, large boot, build quality and rich equipment even in base versions. Rivals include the Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 508 and Toyota Camry.