Skoda Superb 206TSI AWD Wagon review: More metal, less trade-in

Josh Dowling cuts to the chase on the Skoda Superb.

JOSHUA DOWLING

2 min read

June 3, 2016 - 12:00AM

Skoda Superb 206TSI wagon 4WD.

VALUE

The RRP of $52,690 plus on-road costs coincidentally puts the top-line Skoda within $50 of the $52,740 VW Golf R hot hatch which shares its 206kW turbocharged four-cylinder engine, DSG and AWD. Standard fare includes radar cruise control, sensor key, rear-view camera with turning lines, Apple CarPlay, built-in navigation and paddle-shifters on the sports steering wheel. Service intervals are 12 months/ 15,000km, totalling a competitive $945 for the first three years. Warranty is three years/unlimited km. A factory-backed extended warranty is optional. Resale value is weak — Skoda has far greater depreciation than other established brands.

COMFORT

Skoda Superb 162 TSI. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

The Superb is huge, inside and out. It has the biggest cargo area in the class (1950L with the rear seats folded flat) and there’s more rear legroom than a Holden Caprice limo. The cabin materials have a quality feel. Other deft touches: ticket holder on the windscreen, waste bin attachment in the driver’s door pocket and chilled centre console. It’s quiet on the move, despite riding on 19-inch wheels with low-profile tyres.

SAFETY

Automatic emergency braking is standard but nine airbags and a five-star safety rating will help if the worst should happen. Oddly, some safety items such as lane keeping, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert are bundled in a $3400 “tech pack” that includes 12-speaker premium audio, hands-free tailgate opening (it uses a foot swipe), stop-and-go traffic jam assistance, advanced suspension and automated parking.

2016 Skoda Superb 206TSi wagon.

DRIVING

The 206TSI is marginally slower in the 0-100kmh dash than the Golf R (a claimed 5.8 seconds, which we couldn’t verify, versus 5.0) — it weighs 1600kg, the hatch 1435kg. Acceleration is smooth under way, although on takeoff there is the trademark hesitation from the dual-clutch auto. Hit a decent bump, especially while accelerating, and it sends a loud thud through the car.

Skoda Superb 206TSI wagon 4WD.

ALTERNATIVES

The Superb is roomier than the rivalMazda6, Subaru LibertyandVW Passatwagons. That’s Skoda’s modus operandi: offer more metal for the money. The catch: Skoda is still not yet a sought-after brand on the used market, which hurts resale value. Haggle extra hard on the way in, in the hope you lose less on the way out.

VERDICT

The Superb is an impressive car and should rank high on shopping lists. However, with depreciation, it doesn’t add up financially.