Description and characteristics of Skoda Superb cars

Skoda Superb - large family or compact executive car (D-segment), produced from 2001 to the present. It is the flagship of the line of passenger cars of the Czech company «Skoda Auto». The name comes from the Latin word «superbus», which translates as «proud». This name was already used in 1934-1949 for a luxury executive car. The engine is front transverse, front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive models are also available. The body style was produced as a station wagon, sedan and liftback, which replaced the sedan in the third generation. It is currently the fastest car in the lineup «Skoda». As of the end of 2018, over 1.3 million vehicles have been sold since launch.

As of today, the main classmates and competitors of the Skoda Superb are cars bmw 3 series, Audi A4, Citroen C5, Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Ford Mondeo, Infiniti G, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Opel Insignia, Nissan Teana, Renault Laguna, Peugeot 508, Subaru Legacy, Suzuki Kizashi, SEAT Altea, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.

First generation (B5, 2001-2008)

The first generation appeared at the end of 2001. The car is based on a platform «Volkswagen Group B5» (PL45+), which also applies to «Audi A4» and «Volkswagen Passat». The body in this generation was only a four-door sedan with a length of 4803 mm, a width of 1765 mm, a height of 1469 mm, a wheelbase of 2803 mm and a curb weight of 1438 kg. The engine was located transversely in front, the drive was only on the front wheels. The assembly was carried out in the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, China and Ukraine. In total, about 200 thousand cars of the first generation were produced.

There were three models of gasoline engines with the following characteristics - 1.8 liters (1781 cm³, AWT, turbo, 150 hp), 2.0 liters (1984 cm³, I4, AZM (EA827), 115 hp) and 2.8 liters (2771 cm³, V6, ACK/APR, 190 hp). There were also three 1.9-liter diesel engines (1896 cm³, I4, AVB/BLS/BPZ/AWX (EA188), TDI-PD, 99/104/114/128 hp), 2.0 liters (1968 cm³, I4, BKD (EA188), TDI-PD, 138 hp) and 2.5 liters (2496 cm³, V6, AYM/BDG, TDI, 161 hp). The gearbox was a five- or six-speed manual, as well as a five-speed automatic.

The car has been tested by the European Committee «Euro NCAP» in 2003, see the results in the table on the right.

In August 2006 «Superb» received a minor update that brought a new grille, new headlights, side repeater indicators built into the rear view mirrors, and C-style taillights «Roomster» and «Octavia» second generation. The interior has also been updated.

Second generation (B6, 2008-2015)

In March 2008, the second generation Superb was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Platform based «Volkswagen Group A6» (PQ46), also used for «SEAT Alhambra», «Volkswagen Passat», «Volkswagen Sharan» and «Volkswagen Tiguan». At first it was a four-door sedan with a length of 4838 mm, a width of 1817 mm, a height of 1462 mm, a wheelbase of 2761 mm and a curb weight of 1471 mm. In September 2009, a five-door station wagon was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show (Superb Combi) 4833 mm long, 1817 mm wide, 1511 mm high and curb weight 1518 kg. In addition to the usual front-wheel drive, models with all-wheel drive appeared. Trim levels in most of Europe were called «Comfort», «Ambition», «Elegance», «Greenline», «Exclusive» and «Laurin & Klement». The assembly was carried out in the Czech Republic, India, Kazakhstan and China. About 600 thousand cars of the second generation were produced.

Gasoline engines were installed with the following characteristics - 1.4 liters (1390 cm³, I4, CAXC (EA111), TSI, 123 hp), 1.8 liters (1798 cm³, I4, CDAB/CDAA (EA888), TSI, 150/158 hp), 2.0 liters (1984 cm³, I4, EA888, TSI, 197 hp) and 3.6 liters (3597 cm³, V6, EA390, FSI, 256 hp). Diesel engines were represented by the following models - 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, I4, CAYC (EA189), TDI, 103 hp), 1.9 liters (1896 cm³, I4, EA188, TDI, 103 hp) and 2.0 liters (1968 cm³, I4, CFHC/CFJA (EA189), TDI, 138/168 hp). The gearbox could be a five- or six-speed manual, as well as a six- or seven-speed robotic automatic (DSG).

Standard and optional equipment of the vehicle includes bi-xenon headlights, front and rear proximity sensors, automatic parking assistance system, tire pressure monitoring system, navigation system with large 6.5-inch color touch screen and 30 GB hard drive, TV receiver, electrically adjustable seats and mirrors, a rain sensor, a sunroof with solar panels that circulate air in a parked car, heated seats front and rear, ventilated leather front seats and more.

The second generation passed the crash tests of the European Committee «Euro NCAP» in 2008 and 2009, see the results below:


April 2013 «Skoda Auto» introduced an updated version of the car in Shanghai (China). It appeared on the European market in June 2013. Updated exterior design includes new design language elements «Skoda». The headlights feature integrated LED daytime running lights, and the taillights are now LED on all models. The interior design and equipment in the cabin were also changed.

Third generation (B8, 2015-present time)

The third generation was announced in February 2015 and shown in March at the Geneva Motor Show, and sales started in June. The car was assembled on a new platform «MQB», which also assembled some cars of companies «Audi», «SEAT» and «Volkswagen». The sedan body was replaced by a five-door liftback with a length of 4861 mm, 1864 mm, a height of 1468 mm, a wheelbase of 2841 mm and a curb weight of 1418 kg. In September, a five-door station wagon with a length of 4856 mm, a width of 1864 mm, a height of 1477 mm and a curb weight of 1415 kg went on sale. The engine is located in the front, front-wheel drive, and there are also all-wheel drive versions. Production is located in the Czech Republic, India, Kazakhstan and China. As of the end of 2018, about 500,000 «Superb» third generation.

Gasoline engines installed all four-cylinder turbocharged 1.4-liter (1395 cm³, I4, CZCA/CZDA, TSI, 123/148 hp), 1.8 liters (1798 cm³, I4, CJSA/CJSC, TSI, 177 hp) and 2.0 liters (1984 cm³, I4, CHHB/CJXA, TSI, 217/276 hp). There were two models of diesel engines - 1.6 liters (1598 cm³, I4, DCXA, TDI, 118 hp) and 2.0 liters (1968 cm³, I4, CRLB/DDAA, TDI, 148/188 hp), all turbocharged and fuel system «Common Rail». Gearbox six-speed manual or six- and seven-speed robotic (DSG).

European Committee «Euro NCAP» tested the safety of the 2015 model and gave the maximum rating of five stars, see the detailed results in the table.

In May 2019, a third generation update was introduced. They installed full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control with a system for predicting the behavior of other vehicles and a driver fatigue monitoring system.

Superb 3, 2016 year, wagon

Superb 3, 2017 year, interior

Superb 3, 2018 year, trunk