CarWale
    AD

    Skoda Superb Sportline AT First Drive Review

    Authors Image

    Abhishek Nigam

    50,081 Views
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Front View
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter
    Skoda Superb [2020-2023] Right Front Three Quarter

    What is it?

    Why I would buy it?

    Legroom, driving pleasure and comfort

    Why I would avoid it?

    Ground clearance and lacks features as compared to the L&K variant

    What is it?

    This is the age of SUVs and sedans are finding it hard to prove their worth. But even then there are a set of buyers who like their car’s low, luxurious and involving to drive. And that’s one of the reasons why manufacturers haven’t completely given up on sedans. I’m a sedan guy myself and it makes me very happy that we have this stunning sedan here to review and not another SUV. This is the new Skoda Superb Sportline and we’re going to tell you what it’s all about.

    Skoda Superb Left Front Three Quarter

    Even if you love SUVs, the new Superb is sure to grab your attention, especially in this electric shade of blue. This being a mid-life facelift, the changes are subtle but enough to get noticed. The biggest change up front is those new FULL LED headlights which look brilliant. The all-black butterfly grille has been reworked too and so has the front bumper which now gets larger air dams, new LED fog lamps and a sporty lip treatment.

    Skoda Superb Left Side View

    The sides remain unchanged barring a new design alloy wheels. At the rear, the taillights have been re-profiled and the Skoda badge runs across the boot and the black treatment is exclusive to the Sportline variant. Overall, Skoda’s limousine still looks plenty fresh and the facelift has added more flair to the Superb and we particularly love it in this Sportline trim.

    Skoda Superb left rear three quarter

    How is it on the inside?

    Skoda Superb Dashboard

    Now this Sportline spec isn’t the flagship variant and that honour still goes to the Laurin and Klement. But then if you like dark sporty interiors, the Sportline will leave you impressed. The all-black interiors look rich and are further complemented by swathes of Alcantara. Also exclusive to the Sportline variant is the flat-bottom steering wheel which goes well with the proceedings. You have plenty of soft-touch materials and one can feel that this is a premium luxury car.

    Skoda Superb Rear Seats

    The main highlight of the Superb sedan is, of course, its rear seats. As before, legroom is fantastic and there is no doubting its limousine intentions. There’s space for four people to spend long hours here and for the corporate executives, it’s almost like the mini boardroom, especially if you consider the L&K variant. However, as a five-seater, the Superb struggles as the middle passenger gets a hard backrest and the high centre tunnel will make it uncomfortable for longer distances. A signature element of the Superb has always been its massive boot and you get 625-litres as standard with a galaxy like 1700-litres with the back seats down.

    Skoda Superb Front Row Seats

    Now, this is the Sportline variant and when the rich dad isn’t being chauffeured around, the young son would like to drive it around. So let’s check out the front seats. The sporty seats are very comfortable and offer plenty of support and being 12-way electrically adjustable means one can find a comfortable driving position in no time at all. Also exclusive to the Sportline trim is customisable full digital instrument clusters which look fantastic.

    Skoda Superb Open Boot/Trunk

    It’s loaded on the equipment front too. You get as many as eight airbags, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, adjustable ambient lighting sun-roof, powered tailgate and more. The infotainment system with an eight-inch display has all the connectivity option one needs and looks and feels extremely crisp. However, what’s missing here as compared to the L&K trim is the 360-degree camera, TPMS, connected car technology, heated and ventilated seats and strangely the drive modes too.

    How is it to drive?

    Skoda Superb Engine Start Button

    A major update for this Superb facelift is 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine upfront which replaces the earlier 1.8 and along with the increase in displacement its gets a raft of technical updates for better performance. The engine comes with a seven-speed DSG gearbox and that’s the sole option available.

    Skoda Superb Front view

    This engine now makes 190bhp and 320Nm which is 10bhp and an impressive 70Nm jump from the previous engine. Trundling at city speeds, the engine feels very refined. The DSG gearbox is calibrated wonderfully well and the Superb responds very well even to light throttle responses which help to overtake that annoying rickshaw or truck. Out on the highways that responsive throttle feels even more joyous. Bury that throttle and the Superb happily complies like a punch from a velvet glove. Keep it buried and the tacho swings cleanly to 6000 rpm with a soundtrack to match. As expected cruising at triple-digit speeds is an effortless affair and the Superb makes for a very effective bahn stormer.

    Skoda Superb Right Front Three Quarter

    Coming to the ride and handling, what is very apparent is that the Superb is made to haul passengers comfortably. The soft suspension set up means the city irregularities are handled with aplomb. Yes, one does have to be a little wary of monster speed breakers but other than that the Superb has no clearance issues.

    Skoda Superb left rear three quarter

    The soft set-up means the Superb cannot stitch corners like an Octavia and there is somebody roll along with some movement but then again, the Superb is not meant to carve up corners anyways. But keep the enthusiasm in check and the Superb masks its limousine dimensions very well.

    Should I buy one?

    Skoda Superb Right Side View

    A sedan vs SUV is a no contest in our country but if you are in the market specifically for a sedan and do not want to compromise on presence, space, performance or practicality, this car is indeed a Superb choice.

    Where does it fit in?

    Skoda Superb Front view

    This Superb Sportline retails at Rs 29.99 Lakh ex-showroom and for that price, you can get a Toyota Fortuner or even the Ford Endeavor and now while they may be more car for the money they will never be able to match this sedan suave styling, luxury feel or driving dynamics.

    Pictures by Kaustubh Gandhi

    Featured Cars

    • Popular
    • JUST LAUNCHED
    • Upcoming
    Maruti Suzuki Fronx
    Maruti Fronx
    Rs. 7.51 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra Scorpio N
    Mahindra Scorpio N
    Rs. 13.60 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Hyundai Creta N Line
    Hyundai Creta N Line
    Rs. 16.82 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    11th MAR
    Hyundai Creta
    Hyundai Creta
    Rs. 11.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra Scorpio
    Mahindra Scorpio
    Rs. 13.59 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
    Maruti Grand Vitara
    Rs. 10.76 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Tata Nexon
    Tata Nexon
    Rs. 8.15 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Hyundai Exter
    Hyundai Exter
    Rs. 6.13 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Lexus LM
    Lexus LM
    Rs. 2.00 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    15th MAR
    Hyundai Creta N Line
    Hyundai Creta N Line
    Rs. 16.82 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    11th MAR
    BYD Seal
    BYD Seal
    Rs. 41.00 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    JUST LAUNCHED
    5th MAR
    Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe
    Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE Coupe
    Rs. 1.85 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mercedes-Benz GLA
    Mercedes-Benz GLA
    Rs. 50.50 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Porsche Macan Turbo EV
    Porsche Macan Turbo EV
    Rs. 1.65 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Rolls-Royce Spectre
    Rolls-Royce Spectre
    Rs. 7.50 Croreonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Tata Punch EV
    Tata Punch EV
    Rs. 10.99 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Mahindra XUV300 facelift
    Mahindra XUV300 facelift

    Rs. 9.00 - 15.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Mar 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor
    Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor

    Rs. 12.00 - 16.00 LakhEstimated Price

    3rd Apr 2024Unveil Date

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Maruti Suzuki New-gen Swift
    Maruti New-gen Swift

    Rs. 6.50 - 10.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Apr 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    MG Gloster facelift
    MG Gloster facelift

    Rs. 40.00 - 45.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Apr 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Nissan Qashqai
    Nissan Qashqai

    Rs. 25.00 - 30.00 LakhEstimated Price

    May 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Volkswagen ID.4
    Volkswagen ID.4

    Rs. 50.00 - 60.00 LakhEstimated Price

    May 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Mahindra Five-door Thar
    Mahindra Five-door Thar

    Rs. 15.00 - 16.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Jun 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    Skoda Superb
    Skoda Superb

    Rs. 28.00 - 35.00 LakhEstimated Price

    Jun 2024 (Tentative)Expected Launch

    Get Launch Alert on WhatsApp

    AD
    • skoda-cars
    • other brands
    Skoda Slavia
    Skoda Slavia
    Rs. 11.53 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Skoda Kushaq
    Skoda Kushaq
    Rs. 11.89 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city
    Skoda Kodiaq
    Skoda Kodiaq
    Rs. 38.50 Lakhonwards
    Avg. Ex-Showroom price
    Show price in my city