130 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
V
olkswagen’s Czech brand
Skoda has struggled to
gain acceptance in Australia
despite having a presence here
for more than 10 years.
Although Skoda cars
generally offer more metal
for the money — and similar
if not identical technology
to Volkswagen — its growth
has been stunted by strong
competition from quality
Japanese badges and price
pressure from parent brand VW.
To address the vexed issue of
uncertain resale values, Skoda
has established a guaranteed
buyback scheme, but neither the
company nor any of the dealers
we contacted could give us an
estimate, let alone an exact
price, of what it may be worth at
trade-in time.
One Skoda dealer joked
that the buyback price might
be “guaranteed”, but the only
price they can truly guarantee
is a rock bottom trade-in value.
So the usual praise for Skoda
cars continues to come with the
usual caveats: haggle hard on
the way in because you may be
disappointed with what you’re
offered for it at resale time.
If the Superb is any indication,
though, Skoda will eventually
succeed. If the exact same car
had a VW badge, resale would
be a non-issue.
The starchly creased fl anks
do well to disguise the massive
proportions of the Skoda wagon.
Its cargo area is bigger than
a Commodore’s and there’s
more back seat legroom than a
Holden Caprice limousine.
The high-quality cabin layout
could also be mistaken for a VW
with its simple yet functional
design, large storage pockets
and (my favourite quirk) the
plastic ticket holder tab on the
windscreen (borrowed from Volvo).
There are four models in
the Skoda Superb range, each
available with sedan and wagon
body styles, with the latter
carrying a $1700 premium.
The 162 (as in kilowatts of
power) TSi sedan, with a 2.0-litre
turbopetrol and front-wheeldrive, is great value at $41,190,
as is the wagon at $42,890.
The fl agship 206TSi 2.0-litre
turbopetrol sedan, with all-
wheel drive, is $52,290. The
wagon is priced at $53,990.
Sportline trim adds $5000.
A six-speed automated manual
DSG transmission is standard.
We tested the top-of-the-range
206TSi wagon, the most popular
model initially.
Standard equipment includes
radar cruise control, a sensor
key, rear-view camera with
turning lines, Apple CarPlay,
navigation, a chilled centre
console and paddle shifters
on the sports steering wheel.
Automatic emergency braking is
also standard, as are nine airbags
and a fi ve-star safety rating.
Other safety items such as lane
keeping, blind spot warning and
rear cross traffi c alert are also
standard across the Superb range.
Sportline adds adaptive
dampers, premium Canton
audio, automatic parking, power
adjustable front seat and
heated rear seats.The 206kW engine is the same
unit used in the Golf R hot hatch,
where it launches the car to
100km/h in 5.0 seconds. In the
heavier Skoda wagon, it’s 5.8
seconds, but that’s still plenty
quick for a big family freighter,
even though seat of the pants
says it may be a touch optimistic.
Acceleration is smooth and
the overall Skoda experience is
quiet and refi ned.
The adaptive suspension
is best left in normal mode,
where the ride is much more
compliant than in Sport, while
handling is responsive and
secure for such a big wagon
If you’re looking for maximum
space and equipment for your
money in an alternative to a
large SUV, the Skoda Superb is
certainly worth a test drive. The
base 162TSi in particular is great
value for money.By Joshua DowlingTHINGS WE LIKE
A lot of car for the money
Refi ned, fuel-effi cient engines
Excellent dynamics
Well equipped and safe
Sharp pricing
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Weak resale values
Skoda says it has a guaranteed buy-
back program, but no dealers will
quote a fi gure
VW Group quality and reliability
issues
Sharp ride over bumpsSPEX (206TSi)
Made in the Czech Republic
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/
six-speed DSG/all-wheel drive
206kW of power at 6500rpm/350Nm
of torque from 1700–5600rpm
0–100km/h in 5.8 seconds (claimed)
6.2L/100km highway; 8.9L/100km
city; 95 octane premium unleaded;
CO 2 emissions are 169g/km
Warranty: Five years/unlimited
kilometres
Standard: Stability control, nine
airbags, tyre pressure monitoring,
rain-sensing wipers, paddle shifters,
eight-inch touchscreen infotainment,
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto,
navigation, Bluetooth, voice control,
radar cruise, automatic emergency
braking, rear camera, tri-zone air,
heated front seats, parking sensors,
19-inch alloy wheels, Alcantara/
leather upholstery
Redbook future values: 3yr: 43%;
5yr: 27%SKODA SUPERB FROM $41,190 S
Safety
EuroNCAP
PerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS
compare with ...
Holden Commodore, Mazda 6,
Subaru Outback, VW Passat