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Home / Home Slider / Family car review: Skoda Superb Estate

Family car review: Skoda Superb Estate

May 30, 2014 by Gretta Schifano 9 Comments

Skoda Superb Estate. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Skoda Superb Estate. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The first time I go out in the Skoda Superb Estate I question my driving skills. Every time I stop in traffic the the car seems to stall and, flustered,  I have to restart it quickly while apologising to the driver behind. I say ‘seems’ to stall because I hadn’t read the manual before setting off in the car, obviously, and so had never heard of the ‘Stop-Start system’. This system automatically switches off the engine in order to save energy and reduce emissions when the car stops and is in neutral. All I need to do is to press the clutch for the engine to restart.

Once I work that out I enjoy using the car. I usually drive a battered Volvo XC90 and find the Skoda much nippier and responsive to drive (the engine is 2.0 TDI 140PS).

Comfort

The Skoda is very comfortable for me to drive. Both of the front seats are electronically adjustable so that you can get them to just the height you need: perfect for me as I’m 5’2” tall. The front seats are heated too, which I really like. The rear seats have plenty of leg room although the kids say that the middle seat is quite small. The eldest feels queazy when she sits in the back of the Skoda. The boot has plenty of room for bags, dogs and general paraphernalia and there’s a fold-down panel in the rear middle seat so that you can reach through into the boot from inside the car. I find the boot quite hard to close as the strap to pull it shut is a little too high for me.

Skoda Superb Estate rear seats. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Skoda Superb Estate rear seats. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Features

There are lots of practical design features around the car which make life easier. The squishy-lined sunglasses holder which flips open just above the driver’s head is a great idea. The boot has partitioned sections at the sides to hold small things like umbrellas. Attached to the sides of the boot are some straps with clip fastenings, perfect for holding our dog’s lead when she’s in there. The rear seats even have their own digital clock so that children don’t have to ask what the time is every few minutes. Excellent.

Parking

I find the Skoda easy to park both in car parks and in parallel parking spaces. It has parking sensors at the back sending images to a display on a screen at the front so you can see what’s going on. It is quite a long car though so I have to be careful that it doesn’t stick out of parking spaces.

Gears

As far as I know I’ve never driven a car with six gears before. I only notice that the car actually has six gears when I park it on Brighton seafront.  I’ve been driving it for four days. ‘But how will I know when to use the extra gear?’ I ask my passengers. The children ignore me but luckily my sister is with us. Her car has six gears too so she’s an expert. On the way home she points out the display on the dashboard where the Skoda is actually telling me which gear I should be in and I change into sixth gear.

Skoda Superb Estate, Brighton. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Skoda Superb Estate, Brighton. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The verdict

I like the car and would definitely consider buying a Skoda after driving this and the Yeti I reviewed last year. For the country lanes where we live though I like to have a car with four wheel drive.

My husband says: ‘It’s enjoyable to drive, practical, comfortable, well-made, solid and safe. I’d certainly look at Skodas next time we buy a car.’

The eldest (15) says: ‘It’s good, really comfortable and the heated seats are good.’

The youngest (11) says: ‘Can we buy a Skoda?’

Family travel lowdown

We were lent the car for a few days for the purposes of this review. All opinions are our own. The Skoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI 140PS with Petrol Blue metallic paint which we used costs £26,645 including VAT.

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Related

Categories: The journey
Tags: car review, family car, Family car review, Skoda Superb Estate

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. agatapokutycka says

    June 4, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    We were actually considering buying a Skoda but my two big dogs didn’t want to fit into a boot…
    agatapokutycka recently posted…Father’s Day Gift GuideMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Lisa Prince (@BEAUTY_IIAO) says

    June 2, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    we have bought a car every year for the past 6 ears with us having 7 little ones we need a 9 seater and it can be a nightmare to get one that is low cost on fuel and repairs, no point asking me what it is though im a female whos no good with this sort of thing all i know is its comfy and spacious and gets us where we need t be but great post x

    Reply
  3. You Baby Me Mummy says

    May 30, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    This looks great, I would love a bigger car, I wouldn’t have a problem buying a Skoda at all x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Word of the Week #20 {14 months old today}My Profile

    Reply
  4. Jess Howliston says

    May 30, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    The car looks lovely! Very spacious and the boot is massive (as a slight pramaholic this is a big feature for me lol!!) I hadnt heard of the stop start system either so would have probably been the same lol! I love the idea of parking sensors especially as you say the car is quite long as i always worry im going to far back when parking and im going to hit the car behind!

    Jess
    http://owlcrazymummy.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  5. Globalmouse says

    May 30, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Great review – I know it’s a small thing but I really feel the cold and would love a car with heated seats. This looks like a great size for a family car.
    Globalmouse recently posted…Saltskin Wetsuits for children – reviewMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Mummy of Two says

    May 30, 2014 at 10:22 am

    I read this with great interest! We are looking into a new car very soon and have been thinking about a Skoda as we have heard good things. Thanks for an honest and thorough review!
    Mummy of Two recently posted…A trip to Sand le Mere Holiday VillageMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 30, 2014 at 10:44 am

      Glad to help – I’d definitely consider a Skoda as a family car.

      Reply
  7. Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says

    May 30, 2014 at 6:42 am

    I never knew a car could have six gears! This one does sound good. We’ve been sold a Subaru by D’s parents, and you’re right, it’s good to have a decent amount of boot space. Only problem is, I wasn’t used to the extra size and accidentally clipped another car in a car park the other day! :-/
    Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…What to pack this SummerMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 30, 2014 at 7:28 am

      Oh no! I hope it wasn’t too dented? It’s always tricky getting used to a different car.

      Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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