The superb has been on the market for a long time now, close to a decade actually. In a way it never had a fierce competition or any life threatening rivals. Although it came with engines which were proven performers, it scored a bit low on the visual desirability quotient. During our New Skoda Superb Facelift Review, we realized Skoda has just done that – up the desirability factor, in the form of a facelift with new bumpers, hood, headlamps and a few more bits…read on in our .
Design
The Superb was always known for its spacious interiors, thanks to the `stretched` VW Passat platform. While retaining the long wheelbase look, Skoda has endowed the car with a fresh set of front end styling as well as major changes at the rear which could have been termed as boring, previously. Gone is the bulky look and with the facelift, the Superb looks, let’s say tight-skinned with better defined lines. Traces of design hints and elements of the recently launched Octavia are imminent with the new Skoda logo receiving its own space on the engine hood forming a kink into the grille.
The famous wide slats are retained and now get chrome treatment giving them prominence. The `new` headlamps are similar in shape as before, however it’s the placement of the LED DLRs and the blacked effect that have changed its visual appeal and are more suited to the facelift. The bumper chin has received the Polo/Passat like chiseled look and the air dam is split with a chrome strip. The fog lamps again lose the jewel effect and look more functional now.
Viewed from the side, the 4833mm length is prominent and the new smart looking 16 inch `turbo-vane` effect “Helix” alloys look a wee bit puny. We wish it came with 17 inch wheels although the alloys look a lot better than the previous iteration, the Indian road conditions led Skoda shy away from bigger wheels. The chrome surrounds around the entire window area with polished B pillars remain un-changed; however they do a good job of highlighting the limo effect.
The rear of the Superb is another area where it has received a considerable `lift`. Instantly recognizable is the relocation of the number plate. Gone are the bland and the bulky looks, and in is the more exciting appeal thanks to the LED tail lamps and the revised badging. This has lent the Superb a taller looking stance as opposed to the squat profile that the earlier elements imparted. The Superb is now available in 3 new colours, namely Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Brown and Metal Grey. Externally, the Ambition as well as the Elegance trims remains identical and Skoda has only skipped the Bi-Xenon headlights, Daytime Running Lights and Adaptive Frontlight system on the Ambition trim.
Next page for interior, cabin comfort and features>>>