Skoda Superb iV SE review: Plug-in hybrid’s worthy of its name

One of the best cars on sale has just got better.

We’re talking about the Skoda Superb, one of the best value, most spacious and downright useful motors you can buy.

The Superb was given a mild facelift earlier in the year but that’s not why it’s an even better car.

It’s because Skoda has added a plug-in hybrid version.

We’ve driven it and there’s a lot to like about it. Skoda reckons around 30% of all Superbs sold will be this model.

And that’s believable because business users, which make up most buyers, will love the economic benefits.

If you’re not a business user, there’ll still be much for you to like about this car, too.

It’s not a bad looker from any angle
(Image: Skoda)

We’ll start with the mechanical details. The petrol engine is VW’s familiar 1.4-litre TSI which, in the Skoda, produces 154bhp and drives through a six-speed double clutch automatic gearbox.

Sandwiched between the engine and transmission is a 85kW or 115bhp electric motor. Finally, under the car’s floor ahead of the rear axle is a 13kWh battery pack.

Plugging-in is obviously much easier with a driveway
(Image: Skoda)

This pinches a bit of space, so the fuel tank is reduced to 50 litres – but this makes little difference in practice.

You have three driving modes to choose from, like most plug-in hybrids. Hybrid mode chooses the right combination of EV and petrol power. Sport combines electric power with petrol power when you need top performance.

And EV mode makes the car electric-only. Skoda reckons you’ll get up to 35 miles of range in this.

The car always pulls away in electric mode
(Image: Skoda)

The car was launched in Amsterdam and in busy traffic we managed 30 miles easily, enough for most UK owners’ commutes.

As always with plug-in hybrids, if you don’t charge the battery regularly you’re missing the point of having the car in the first place.

Charging from a 7kW wallbox takes about two and half hours – double that with a household socket. The reduction in fuel tank size barely matters because the Superb iV has a combined fuel consumption of 156.9mpg and Co2 emissions of 39g/km.

When it needs engine power the transfer is seamless
(Image: Skoda)

Drive your car with a fully charged battery and a full 50 litre tank and you should go 550 miles without having to refuel with either unleaded or volts.

That’s if you’re not tempted to use the Superb iV’s impressive performance too often. A 0-62mph time of 7.4sec is quick for a large family car, especially one that’s this economical.

The Superb iV comes as a saloon or estate. We drove both but my favourite is the estate. Four trim levels start with the SE Technology, running through to the top spec, Laurin & Klement.

The Superb iV comes packed with technology inside

Price for our test car is £33,250 (£31,970 for the saloon) which is good value considering the level of equipment you get.

Driving the plug-in hybrid Skoda is blissfully simple with typically Skoda-like easy-to-use controls and functions.

The car always moves off under electric power whatever mode you’re in.

The changeover between the two power systems is virtually imperceptible and the petrol engine itself is quiet and refined. With a comfortable ride and well-weighted steering, the Superb iV is a very relaxing method of transport.

I’ve recommended Superbs to a couple of friends and they’re very pleased with them.

They’d like this hybrid version even more. But since they’re always private buyers who like to go second hand they might have a bit of a wait for the iV versions to come up at an affordable price.

Not least because these cars tend to hold their value well.

Only my lack of off-street parking – and therefore no practical possibility of charging a plug-in hybrid – will keep an Superb iV estate off my future car shopping list.

What a shame for me.