Škoda Superb Review: A Grand Tourer

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Introduction: A Return to Grandeur

Škoda has redefined its flagship with the 2025 Superb, and the fourth generation arrives not just refreshed but reborn. I took the new Superb on a road trip through Germany’s Wiehen Hills, a region marked by winding hill passes, sprawling forests, and scenic ridgelines that test a car’s comfort and composure. The result? A grand tourer in the truest sense, plush, poised, and unapologetically European.

Design: Subtle Sophistication, Czech Style

Even before the key turned, the Superb had presence. The new grille is broader and more upright, making a bolder statement, while the sharp-cut LED Matrix headlights and full-width LED tail strip lend it a crisp, modern edge. The Pro variant I tested wore 18-inch polished wheels that filled the arches tastefully. It’s longer by 43mm (now 4,912 mm) and wider by 15mm,subtle numbers that translate to a stretched, elegant silhouette in person.

The car no longer tries to mimic premium brands, it now defines its own luxury language. Under overcast Wiehen skies, the Superb’s Phoenix Orange paint shimmered like autumn leaves soaked in morning dew.

Interior: Lounge-Class in Motion

Slide inside, and the Superb feels like a mobile reading room at the British Library. The front seats, draped in perforated leather, offered ventilation, massage, and memory functions. There’s a floating 13-inch infotainment screen, crystal sharp and responsive, paired with a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit.

But it’s the little touches that elevate this cabin: the “Smart Dials,” three rotary knobs with integrated screens, allow quick control over temperature, volume, and drive modes without diving into menus. It’s intuitive and very Škoda.

The rear seats, always a Superb hallmark, are palatial. With a wheelbase of 2,841 mm, legroom is limo-like. The heated rear bench reclines slightly, and ambient lighting gives the whole space a hushed, cocooned feel as dusk sets in over the Wiehen forest.

Powertrain: Composure with Confidence

My Superb was powered by the 2.0 TSI engine,265 hp and 400 Nm, paired with a 7-speed DSG and all-wheel drive. The Wiehen Hills gave us endless third-gear sweepers and damp gravel trails, but the Superb never flinched. This engine is silk-gloved might. It accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, but never begs you to thrash it.

Škoda’s Dynamic Chassis Control with adaptive dampers meant the ride could pivot between comfort and taut control with a flick. In Normal mode, it soaked up frost-heaved tarmac like a sponge. Switch to Sport, and it cinched down through tight bends near Rödinghausen, revealing a chassis with real depth.

The AWD system splits torque seamlessly, and you feel it especially in the wet undergrowth of the forest edge roads. Traction never faltered, and steering, while not razor-sharp, is accurate and confidence-inspiring.

Real-World Experience: Quiet Confidence on the B-Road Ballet

There’s a serenity in the Superb’s gait. It glides rather than gallops, whispering across 140 km/h autobahn sprints without wind or road noise leaking in. The laminated side windows help, as does the refined drivetrain. At one point, I realized we’d held a quiet conversation at 160 km/h, thanks to a cabin insulated like a concert hall.

Through the wooded crests of Lübbecke, the Superb danced between grand tourer and all-weather cruiser, soaking up leaf litter and loose rock with aplomb. Even with the boot loaded (a cavernous 645 liters), it never felt bogged down.

Features and Tech: Human-Centric Luxury

Škoda’s latest MIB infotainment is intuitive, though Android Auto was only wireless on the higher Laurin & Klement trim. Still, the 13-inch screen handled navigation through offline maps as I lost reception between peaks. The 14-speaker Canton sound system deserves praise, it filled the cabin with jazz that sounded more Berlin Philharmonic than FM radio.

You also get adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, a 360-degree camera, and a head-up display on higher variants. Safety was clearly a priority.

Efficiency: Touring without Guilt

Despite its size and power, the Superb TSI returned an impressive 14.2 km/l across mixed terrain. On flatter stretches of B65 toward Osnabrück, I saw close to 16 km/l with cruise set at 110 km/h. The mild-hybrid system on the 1.5 TSI is even thriftier, but lacks the AWD and punch of the 2.0 TSI.

For those seeking plug-in power, Škoda offers a Superb iV with 100 km of electric-only range and 50 kW DC fast charging, a proper upgrade over the outgoing model.

Final Thoughts: Superb by Name, and Nature

Škoda’s 2025 Superb isn’t trying to be a sport sedan or a showy executive. Instead, it reclaims the forgotten art of the grand tourer, spacious, quiet, confident, and immensely capable across countries or counties.

On the winding crests of the Wiehen Hills, it proved that you don’t need a badge from Bavaria or Stuttgart to command attention or enjoy the journey. You just need a car engineered with integrity and driven with soul.

Technical Specifications

SpecificationDetails
Engine2.0-litre TSI, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Power Output265 hp
Torque400 Nm
Transmission7-speed DSG automatic
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive (4×4)
0–100 km/h Acceleration5.8 seconds
Top Speed250 km/h (electronically limited)
Fuel Efficiency (Tested)14.2 km/l (mixed driving conditions)
CO₂ Emissions~153 g/km (WLTP)
Dimensions (L x W x H)4,912 mm x 1,849 mm x 1,481 mm
Wheelbase2,841 mm
Boot Capacity645 litres
Wheels18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels
Front SuspensionMacPherson strut with adaptive dampers
Rear SuspensionMulti-link with adaptive dampers
LightingMatrix LED headlights, full-width LED tail strip
Infotainment System13-inch touchscreen with MIB4 interface
Driver Display10.25-inch digital Virtual Cockpit
Audio SystemCanton 14-speaker premium sound system
Climate Control3-zone automatic with rear air vents
Front SeatsVentilated, massaging, memory function
Smart Controls3x Smart Dials (customizable rotary knobs)
ADAS FeaturesAdaptive cruise control, lane assist, emergency braking
ConnectivityWireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (L&K trim), USB-C ports, Bluetooth
Charging12V & USB-C front and rear

Conclusion

The 2025 Škoda Superb 2.0 TSI 4×4 Pro stands tall as a masterclass in modern executive touring. With its refined 265 hp turbocharged engine, grippy 4×4 system, and lightning-quick DSG gearbox, it delivers performance that comfortably keeps pace with many sports sedans. But what truly sets it apart is how seamlessly it blends that performance with supreme comfort, innovative tech, and thoughtful practicality.

Škoda has sharpened the Superb’s edges without dulling its purpose , it remains the understated choice for discerning drivers who value sophistication over flash. From the cocooning luxury of its massaging front seats to the expansive cargo room and class-leading infotainment, this new-gen Superb isn’t just a car , it’s a refined travel companion for long-haul journeys, business commutes, or spirited countryside escapes.

In the beautiful setting of Germany’s Wiehen Hills, the Superb didn’t merely feel at home , it felt like it belonged there, cresting each bend and devouring every mile with calm confidence. If you’re searching for an executive car that thinks like a limousine but drives like a sports tourer, this is it.

What engine does the 2025 Škoda Superb 2.0 TSI 4×4 Pro use?

It features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 265 hp and 400 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system.

Is the 2025 Škoda Superb available only with petrol engines?

No, the 2025 Superb lineup includes a range of powertrains including mild-hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and diesel options in other trims, but the 2.0 TSI 4×4 Pro is a petrol-only performance-oriented model.

How fast is the Škoda Superb 2.0 TSI 4×4 Pro?

It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

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