Skoda Superb’s 2018 Facelift Overall Rating

“Ok! So, on a count of three, name 5 car makers that you know in India!”. I was just strolling around the office to have my colleagues do such a simple task to see how many automotive brands they know. And not to my surprise, Maruti Suzuki was nearly always voiced up first, followed either by Hyundai or Toyota or Mahindra with Tata, Renault and Honda coming up last to finish the list (Some even mentioned Ford and Volkswagen, which sure don’t strike much of impression in terms of popularity). Then I gave them the question “you’ve ever heard of Skoda Auto?” which were mostly greeted by exclamation like “What?” or “Come again!” or “Is it even a thing?” or “I think I came across it before”, and some just threw back a confused look. To all my friends and car lovers, Skoda Auto is, in the name of God, a thing and legit, and it is here to stay. This quick review is about Skoda Superb 2018 – one of the most common cars by Skoda introduced to the Indian market and figure if the vehicle deserves more currency than it has right now or not.

Skoda Superb 2018 has been rolled out in the market

With all the practical traits it possesses for a car, the Superb should gain more popularity than it does at this moment. Read the following review to find out the real reason for its popularity.

1. Skoda Superb 2018 Exterior

The manufacturer undoubtedly has put a lot of work into making 2018 Superb upmarket. The first change comes from the Golf’s platform, entailing the car growing 23mm longer than the outgoing model and the wheelbase getting an increase in the length of 80mm. And for all the travelholics car lovers out there, this actually turns out to be a huge good news cause the luggage compartment greatly benefits from this modification which contributes to an impressive volume of 660 litres – the amplest cargo space in class.

The flagship gets a boost in cargo space which is the result of borrowing platform of the Volkswagen Golf

The outline design, on the whole, focuses on angular contours and sharp shoulder line, which together with the signature radiator grille and head-mounting logo make up for the identity of Skoda Superb. The flagship’s rear end is given a new pair of LED tail lights of bigger size compared to that of the previous version.

The new design is greatly identified by sharp dynamic lines and angular contours

2. Skoda Superb 2018 Engine and Performance: The Rock-n-Roll Piece & What It’s Like To Drive

There is nearly no update when it comes to the powertrain of the 2018 facelift of the Superb with Skoda continuing to match the 16V motors up with its vehicles. To go into details, the 16V TSI 1.8-litre petrol engine produces 177.4bhp of max power at 4000-6200 rpm and 320 Nm of max torque at 1450-3900 rpm. Its diesel counterpart – the 2.0-litre 16V TDI, on the other hand, churns out a peak power of 174.5bhp at 3600-4000 rpm and peak torque of 350 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm. Regarding transmission, both options of 6-speed manual gearbox or the 6-speed automatic can be had on the market by now.

There is nearly no update regarding the powertrain of the 2018 facelift with Skoda continuing to match the 16V motors up with its vehicles

Heavy cargo (passengers and luggage) proves to be a problem with the diesel unit when we tried to load it with the occupants according to seat number and as much of our gears as we can. This doesn’t seem to be the case of the petrol model, though hard revving is required for acceleration. And to their credit, Skoda sure has done a good job in running the round of upgrading suspension. Regardless of standard or higher-end variants, the car runs so smoothly and handles normal-sized potholes or bumps so effortlessly you will have no reason to complain about.

But if there is anything to moan about, it is the steering whose response is not clear, though making turn itself is not at all a difficult task. That said, both models with which we drove for drive test overall yield good grip and handle well on slippery roads.

The car soaks up all kinds of shock but the sharpest ones with ease thanks to the tweaked suspension

3. Skoda Superb 2018 Interior: On The Inside

16-inch alloy wheels will be seen on the entry-level S models. Opting for the SE trim and you are provided with 17-inch alloy wheels; 18in set on the mid-level variants and the top-spec one gets the 19in set. The infotainment touchscreen system follows the same ascending pattern, in which a 6.5-inch touchscreen display is available at the beginning of the range, the touchscreen size increases with the model getting higher in rank and reaches 9.2 inches on the Columbus model. Via MirrorLink, you can sync your phone to have with the infotainment system and have them speak the same language, getting access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, the hands-free system gets your back by assisting with the use of telephone when you are driving. 

Along with massaging seats, the higher-end variants also give you access to either 8 or 9.2-inch touchscreen

Besides the voluminous space for passengers, the roomy cabin also offers generous storage space which takes the form of bottle holder indoor panelling and cup holders. As for air conditioning, the A/C system comes in pair with 3-Zone Climatronic with clean air function and temperature control on rear centre console. Also, the seats are accompanied with cushions for comfy drive no matter how long it takes.

4. Skoda Superb 2018 Safety Features

Skoda adheres to an uncompromising set of rules concerning safety issues. The carmaker sets a very high bar of quality by enlisting Anti-Locking Braking System, Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) (integrated with MKB – Multi-collision brake), XDS+ electronic differential lock, tyre pressure monitoring system, and the class-leading eight airbags, to name but a few. 

The carmaker sets a very high bar of quality by including eight airbags in the list of safety equipment

5. Skoda Superb 2018 Price

Given all the improvement it receives, it is understandable for the 2018 Superb to get a rise in price. According to New Delhi ex-showroom, the least costly variant Style 1.8 TSI MT starts the pricing range at Rs 25.09 lakh. At the other end of the range, the higher-end Skoda Superb LK 2.0 TDI AT stands at Rs 32.41 lakh.

6. Skoda Superb 2018 Specs

And our verdict is:

The vehicle itself is not that fun to drive to be honest and the diesel engine lacks refinement, producing gruff sound. However, what-to-likes about this model of the Superb turn out to make an appealing list and sure appeals to lots of people. These upsides can be named from competitive prices; generous cargo space and expansive cabin; premium-feeling interiors; strong resale values, etc. It will make a family car which is reliable better than a sporty one whose main purpose is to catch up with vogue. 

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