The Superb is back, proudly holding the title as Skoda’s top-tier ICE-powered vehicle. Now in its fourth iteration, this family-sized car has undergone an evolutionary redesign, promising to elevate its style, technology, efficiency, comfort, and utility. When it arrives in showrooms next year, it will offer a diverse range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options.
Unlike the closely related new-generation VW Passat, which is exclusively available in wagon form this time around, the new Superb continues to provide buyers with the choice of a liftback saloon called the Hatch, and the more practical estate under the Combi moniker.
More: Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Skoda Kodiaq Family SUV
2024 Skoda Superb Hatchback
2024 Skoda Superb Combi
The exterior of the 2024 Skoda Superb looks pretty familiar, but all of its body panels have been redesigned giving it sharper styling cues. Among the highlights are the slimmer LED Matrix beam headlights and the modern LED taillights with “crystalline” elements for a more premium look. The grille is wider than before, as with the bumper intake which is highlighted by a chrome strip.
The new generation of the Superb is 43 mm (1.7 inches) longer, 12 mm (0.5 inches) taller, and more aerodynamic compared to its predecessor, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 cd. Interestingly, the Hatchback measures 4,912 mm (193.4 inches) long, which is more than the 4,902 mm (193 inches) of the Combi. Both versions share the same 2,841 mm (111.9 inches) wheelbase that remains unchanged from the previous generation.
Overhauled Interior
Moving inside, Skoda designers did their best to improve the technology and the quality feel of the flagship. The dashboard features a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen combined with a 10-inch Virtual Cockpit, and a head-up display. Another highlight is the new rotary push-button “Smart Dials” with integrated 1.25-inch displays offering an easier-to-use alternative to the touch-sensitive madness. The outer dials control the temperature and the seat heating/ventilation, while the center dial is customizable and can be used to operate the volume, fan speed, air direction, smart A/C mode, driving modes, and even the map zoom for navigation.
In terms of space, the company claims that the headroom and the luggage compartment have “grown considerably” compared to the outgoing Superb. More specifically, the boot capacity is 645 lt (22.8 cubic feet) in the hatchback and 690 lt (24.4 cubic feet) in the Combi, with the 28 available Simply Clever features further improving practicality.
In line with the sustainability trend, the interior textiles are made from 100% recycled polyester. Unlike other automakers, Skoda didn’t go leather-free, but the optional leather upholstery now features an eco-friendly tanning process using coffee bean processing residues or wastewater from olive processing. Trim options are divided into the Loft, Lounge, or ecoSuite themes, with Black or Cognac interior colors.
A Wide Range Of Powertrain Options
The flagship of the automaker’s ICE-powered range is based on an evolved version of the MQB architecture that is shared with the 2024 VW Passat Variant. The engine lineup is very similar to the Kodiaq SUV and includes diesel, petrol, mild-hybrid petrol, and plug-in hybrid powertrain options. The PHEV is only available with the Combi bodystyle, combining the 1.5 TSI petrol engine with a single electric motor, and a larger 25.7 kWh battery resulting in over 100 km (62 miles) of zero-emission range.
All of the powertrains are exclusively mated to a DSG automatic gearbox sending power to either the front or all four wheels.
The European market launch of the fourth-gen Skoda Superb is expected in the first quarter of 2024, with pricing set to be announced at a later date. Production will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia, alongside the VW Passat Variant.