What We Like
Big interior, massive rear legroom
Decent looks without being too over the top
High levels of comfort
What We Dislike
Diving through menus to access features a step backwards from physical buttons
It has been about six months since Skoda made a comeback into the Singapore market. But Skoda is far from new. In fact, its history stretches far before Volkswagen Group itself, its parent company.
Laurin & Klement was founded in 1895. At one point, it was one of the biggest automotive manufacturers in the Austro-Hungarian region, before being acquired by Skoda in 1925.
After becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, the Laurin & Klement nameplate remains true for Skoda - only top-of-the-line models from the Czech car manufacturer are graced with this inscription.
The history of Laurin & Klement goes way back, even further than its parent group Volkswagen
What's so superb?
The Skoda Superb is now in its third generation. Those familiar with the previous Superb would remember it for its larger than life rear legroom, and a pretty flamboyant butt, which hid a pretty big boot.
The Superb hasn't forgotten its roots as a pretty serious sedan. Total wheelbase length is now 2,841mm, but it doesn't show by exhibiting a stretched look especially around the rear doors.
The new Superb hides its size very well, and doesn't look stretched disproportionatelyThe car looks balanced. In fact, styling is rather contemporary. The Superb isn't really shouting out its presence on the road like most other new cars. Keeping it simple is the name of the game and the Superb does it right.
The Czech lounge
Before you get in, you'll be reminded that this is the Laurin & Klement trim again on the door sill, and the inscription etched on all four seats.
You'll see the classy Laurin & Klement inscriptions in the interior, like here on the seatsAs the top-spec Superb, you get all the fancy stuff. We're talking wireless charging, Park Assist, infotainment gesture controls, front passenger ventilated and power assisted seats, a Canton 12-speaker sound system paired to the latest 9.2-inch 'Columbus' infotainment system, Blind Spot Assist and Rear Traffic Alert.
When other manufacturers are piping exhaust and engine sounds into the cabin, the Canton sound system in the Superb instead works to phase out noise. This helps in making the cabin a quiet space.
But the centrepiece of the Superb is its rear legroom, which, at this price point, is hard to match.
Laurin & Klement was founded in 1895. At one point, it was one of the biggest automotive manufacturers in the Austro-Hungarian region, before being acquired by Skoda in 1925.
After becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, the Laurin & Klement nameplate remains true for Skoda - only top-of-the-line models from the Czech car manufacturer are graced with this inscription.
What's so superb?
The Skoda Superb is now in its third generation. Those familiar with the previous Superb would remember it for its larger than life rear legroom, and a pretty flamboyant butt, which hid a pretty big boot.
The Superb hasn't forgotten its roots as a pretty serious sedan. Total wheelbase length is now 2,841mm, but it doesn't show by exhibiting a stretched look especially around the rear doors.
The Czech lounge
Before you get in, you'll be reminded that this is the Laurin & Klement trim again on the door sill, and the inscription etched on all four seats.
When other manufacturers are piping exhaust and engine sounds into the cabin, the Canton sound system in the Superb instead works to phase out noise. This helps in making the cabin a quiet space.
But the centrepiece of the Superb is its rear legroom, which, at this price point, is hard to match.
Passengers will be treated to an almost lounge-like experience in the rear, with the 10-colour ambient mood lighting running through the interior.
The Superb has tons of legroom in the rear, even with the front seats stretched outBoot space is generous at 584 litres, and if that's not enough, you'll enjoy a mind-numbing 1,719 litres with the rear seats folded.
Superb is no slouch
With 217bhp and 350Nm, the Superb can do the century sprint in seven seconds. That's not slow, and not a low power output either.
With Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), adjustments can be made to the dampers, transmission and steering feel, as well as others like how responsive you want the dynamic cornering lights to swivel round a bend.
Dynamic Chassis Control allows for adjustments to the dampers, but we find the Superb is best suited in ComfortMessing around in Sport is fun, but this isn't what the Superb is about. It is a highway muncher and it is more than happy to do so.
Put it in comfort and you'll be able to enjoy the first class ride. Don't forget to turn on those ventilated seats, too.
In fact, we find that it rides better than the Volkswagen Passat, of which the Superb shares the same platform with. Perhaps this is due to the longer wheelbase, which helps keep the car supple through road undulations.
Turn on those ventilated seats, set the car to Comfort, and you'll get a magic carpet ride
Should I get one?
It's hard to question the Superb's value proposition. At $155,900 (as of 2 October 2018), the car is a really good deal. You could even go for the Ambition Plus trim, which is about $20,000 lesser than our test car you see here.
But whichever trim you decide on, there's no doubt that you'll be able to enjoy a superb ride.
Superb is no slouch
With 217bhp and 350Nm, the Superb can do the century sprint in seven seconds. That's not slow, and not a low power output either.
With Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), adjustments can be made to the dampers, transmission and steering feel, as well as others like how responsive you want the dynamic cornering lights to swivel round a bend.
Put it in comfort and you'll be able to enjoy the first class ride. Don't forget to turn on those ventilated seats, too.
In fact, we find that it rides better than the Volkswagen Passat, of which the Superb shares the same platform with. Perhaps this is due to the longer wheelbase, which helps keep the car supple through road undulations.
Should I get one?
It's hard to question the Superb's value proposition. At $155,900 (as of 2 October 2018), the car is a really good deal. You could even go for the Ambition Plus trim, which is about $20,000 lesser than our test car you see here.
But whichever trim you decide on, there's no doubt that you'll be able to enjoy a superb ride.
