The 2025 Skoda Superb is here, and it’s not just a flashy facelift, it’s a full-blown flag bearer for the endangered species of wagons and sedans – hoorah! In an era where SUVs dominate driveways like ducks at a pond, it’s refreshing to see Skoda double down on what it does best, making big cars bigger, smarter, and somehow still more affordable than their premium-badged peers. So, is the new Superb a true development, or is it resting on its “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” laurels? We got a week behind the wheel to find out more.
From the outside, the design remains understatedly elegant. Skoda played it safe, but “safe” here doesn’t mean bland, think stately and refined, especially with the sleeker matrix-beam headlights, compact light fittings, and a subtly tweaked grille. It’s gained a little extra length which, weirdly enough, feels like the automotive equivalent of well-tailored evening wear, classy but approachable.
Inside, however, it feels like the Skoda interior team just cracked open champagne and went all-in. From a dash design with clever air vent integration to 100% recycled textiles, the cabin now feels posh enough to convince you that climate consciousness can be glamorous. The tri-zone climate control is heavenly, while the 13-inch digital display is sharp, and the ‘Smart Dials’ are Genius. Just to explain, these customisable, multi-use pressable knobs are proof that physical control still has a place amidst all the touch-heavy interfaces of modern rivals.
And the nifty extras? A hidden screen-cleaning eraser, rear seat tablet mounts, removable bins in the door pockets, and Velcro boot cargo brackets, classic “Simply Clever” Skoda. If Darwin’s theory applies to the car world, then the Superb has just evolved into one of the most practical interiors money can buy.
The new Superb didn’t stop at looking cavernous, it is cavernous. With 690 litres of boot space (1,920 litres with seats down), this estate is here to make your local shopping trip ‘antiques-in-the-boot’ levels of meme-worthy. Factor in extra length and height for even more passenger room, and you’ll be calling the backseat “first-class lounge” when someone takes over the driver’s seat.
It’s a forgiving car for families too, with fold-down bottle holders in the armrest, adjustable air vents and USB-C ports, and headroom so generous your Uncle Al’s hat collection will finally have a mobile showroom. It’s spacious enough to make you roll your eyes next time an SUV tries to tell you it’s the “practical choice”.
Then there’s the way it drives. For anyone nostalgic about the engagement of a great hot hatch, the Superb says, “Hold my beer.” It’s a wagon that balances pragmatism with a surprising dose of fun. The chassis, now based on the MQB Evo platform, is a sculpture of rigidity and finesse. Its clever dampers make it confident, while its steering makes the Superb more reactive and entertaining than its size suggests.
Even better, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with 195kW and 400Nm, offers enough power to make merging onto the open highway an exercise in grace and assurance. Sharper corners might remind you of the Superb’s size and weight, but it never loses composure. It’s elegant but thrilling, a rare versatility in sedans and wagons these days.
Although Europe gets plug-in hybrids with an impressive 84-miles of all-electric range, us Kiwi’s will have to stick with pure petrol options. Yes, no hybrids Down Under, Skoda’s still hedging its bets there. But here’s the upside: the bigger, punchier petrol option for our market is no slouch. Expect a respectable 8.2L/100 km combined estimate for fuel economy.
At $74,990 for this 4×4 model, the Superb plays in the same financial playground as its smaller rivals from Lexus and Volvo. But here’s the kicker, it feels bigger than both. You get an Audi A6 Avant vibe at a fraction of the cost, and for a car that’s so pragmatic, luxurious, and absurdly spacious, that pricing feels suspiciously like a bargain.
“Arresting Development” Indeed
The 2025 Skoda Superb is proof you don’t need to spend big money to feel like you did. It’s ambitious without arrogance, luxurious without flashiness, and practical without compromise. Add to that the effortless charm of how it drives, and you’ve got a car that could potentially dethrone the SUV in your life (finally). It’s a safe bet for families, road trip lovers, or anyone who refuses to ditch the sedan/wagon format while the automotive world collectively dives nose-first into SUVs. Seriously, if the NZ Police move into these, it’s worth getting arrested for.
