Skoda Superb 1.8 Elegance Review

When was the last time you looked at a book and thought, "Nah, it doesn't look good."? Or even gave it a miss simply because its cover wasn't enticing enough? Be honest now, and I'm pretty sure that there are lots of us who do that.

And it's not just with books. Very often, the not-so-aesthetically blessed in society get less attention and smiles than those with potential models features, and it's also them who usually have the privilege of picking the best from the basket.

Basically, if the general impression people have of you is a positive one, you'd likely get on with life a little easier.

Which wasn't the case for Skoda, at least until recently. In fact, tour guides in neighbouring Bratislava commonly joked that if you wanted to double the car's value, all you needed was to "fill up the gas tank!" There were some serious image problems and it was only during this decade when things start to look brighter.

In Singapore, few would even consider buying a Skoda. But right now, there is a very, very good reason to get one.

For one, at its price of S$104,800 (it was an even more attractive S$99,800 when first launched), the "Simply Superb 1.8T", also known as the Superb 1.8T Elegance, has made a very bold and confident entrance into the executive sedan territory.

Fitted with the same 1.8 turbocharged inline-four engine found in the Volkswagen and mated to the German group's latest seven-speed DSG tranny, it has a very competent powertrain.
Full of content

The engine puts out a maximum of 160 hp and 250 Nm of torque and sounds pretty good for a four-pot. Coupled with the gearbox's excellent ratios, you get a remarkable mix of power on demand and also fuel economy. And because it's a close cousin of the Passats', you can be sure that your precious bum is sitting on a reliable platform and not some Eastern European communist scaffolding.

It also boasts that cool new TwinDoor feature, where the boot lid lifts in two fashions - like a normal saloon's or like a hatchback's, together with its rear window. Revealing a generous capacity of 565 litres, it also has a simple folding cover design which creates a little partition that can fit slightly taller items. Drop its rear seats down and it offers a total of 1,670 litres of space.

Its biggest highlight, though, is its legroom. One can fully push the front seats back without worrying about amputating half of the rear passenger's legs. You'd really need to see it for yourself to fully comprehend its impressive proportions.

On top of all that, for its price, it boasts an equipment list that would get other manufacturers shifting nervously.


Are you ready?

It has automatic Bi-Xenon headlamps with the Adaptive Front Light System and headlight washers (clever lights which adjust themselves to the driving conditions), rain sensors, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel with paddle-shifters, a radio navigation system with a 30 GB hard disk, Bluetooth for your mobile phone, AUX input, front electric seats with Alcantara leather, electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, dual-zone climate control, B-pillar air-con vents, and, breath, an umbrella slot in the rear left door, retractable sun shades for the rear sides and back windows, foldable rear seats, 18-inch alloy rims, front and rear parking sensors, a park assist function which parallel parks for you, ESP, as well as eight airbags.

Even if you come from India, you'd find it exceptional value for money.

Which brings me to my next point - would you still need to be convinced that it isn't a good buy?

Impressed? You should be. But perhaps part of the reason why many would be is because they didn't expect a Skoda to be this good.

Don't get me wrong, they weren't that bad to begin with, but the apparent perception here of Skodas aren't exactly flattering. And prior to the Superb's arrival, if you still drove around in a Skoda, no one would believe you if you told them that you really loved the car for what it was; they'd think that you were hanging on because you couldn't sell it, not even on sgCarMart.com.

Now, at least the brand has had a fantastic new start in Singapore.
The beauty of it is in the eye of the beholder

I wouldn't care so much for its handling - it's based on a Passat and as far as we had experienced, the Superb fares well especially when you consider its dimensions. It's comfortable and rather quiet on the highways, but still could do with more bump absorption.

Practicality and ease of everyday use are also some of its bigger plus points. Making spatial estimates from behind the wheel isn't difficult as it has good all round view. And if you're really afraid of bumping into a kerb, the button for the parking sensor is within easy reach.

Occupants in the rear also have easy access to the trunk through its foldable seats. And if the legroom isn't sufficient for you to fit you and your bag there comfortably, simply drop the seats down and slide your gear behind. A simple net in the luggage area will keep your bags from taking a roller-coaster ride in the back, while giving you extremely convenient access to it.

Apart from its high scores for practicality inside, it does very well on the outside, too. The higher level Simply Superb comes with a parking assistance programme which parallel parks for you. All you need to do is push a button to activate the system, cruise past your desired lot, let the car detect the vacant space then brake, shift the gear into reverse and let the computers work their magic.

It'll apply light throttle on its own, turn the steering about and beep wildly while performing Russell Swift-precise manoeuvres to fit you into the lot. Then you only need to shift back into "D" to get your car into the equal spacing between front and rear. Voila! Parallel parked!

You might find yourself having trouble thinking of more options for the car, and you're probably not alone. The Simply Superb is packed to the brim with equipment, it has a five-star rating for the Euro NCAP crash test. The whole package is pretty brilliant and it's unlikely you will be in desperate need for anymore extras to tick.

The Czech Republic's car is very likeable. Never mind it's rather cheesy local moniker - the "Simply Superb". They could have called it the "Superbly Super Superb" and we'd still want one. It may not be the prettiest thing around, but it definitely has a lot substance.

Don't judge the book by its cover, and in this case, its badge. And if you're still not convinced, go for a test drive. You don't have anything to lose.

After all, you won't know how good the book is until you've read it.