Greenline requires little compromise for such low running costs

What is it?

It would be easy to consider the sheer size of the 4.8-metre long Skoda Superb estate, match it to thoughts of a 104bhp turbodiesel engine and assume that the performance compromise would be too great regardless of economy.

Not so. As it turns out this Skoda Superb estate Greenline II, which actually weighs a respectable 1471kg despite its size and now gets the 1.6-litre common rail diesel and five-speed manual, is arguably one of the most relevant real-world cars on sale.

See the test pics of the Skoda Superb estate Greenline

What’s it like?

Performance is a little on the tardy side. Set off in the Greenline Superb and until the turbo kicks in fully it’s evident that this is a low-powered engine towing a big car. It’s the same story if you pull out into the fast lane expecting a quick response to a stamped throttle. It will pull, but rather lazily, so you have to think ahead.

Despite this, the Superb is not an unpleasant car to drive. Keep the engine in its comfort zone, enjoy the solid gearshift and well-judged steering and it flows along nicely and with a decent enough level of performance for normal motoring.

The cabin is refined and comfortable and despite the body being lowered by 15mm to improve aerodynamics, the suspension does a good job of soaking up the flaws in the road surface, while keeping body movement under control.

There is no denying that the 138bhp and 168bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesels make for better driver’s cars than the Greenline. But the merits of a car that has limousine levels of passenger space, well-finished cabin, an enormous boot and yet will cost £30 to tax for the year, has a claimed combined economy of 64.2mpg (low 50s are more likely going by the results of our varied test route), and emits just 114g/km are very clear. Company car users will be even more tempted with benefit in kind at just £52 per month.

Should I buy one?

Most buyers will opt for the more flexible 138bhp diesel, and so should you if you regularly carry a full complement of people and luggage. But if you have less taxing motoring in mind and you just want a big, relaxing and enjoyable but affordable way to travel, this is a great option.

It feels a class above most of the cars you can get at this price in terms of size, and more importantly it doesn’t feel like you’re making any significant sacrifices for its frugal ways. It’s an excellent way to travel - the running costs are just a bonus.

Skoda Superb Estate Greenline II Elegance

Price: £24,040; Top speed: 119mph; 0-62mph: 12.6sec; Economy: 64.2mpg; CO2: 114g/km; Kerb weight: 1471kg; Engine type: 4cyls,1598cc, turbodiesel; Power: 104bhp at 4400rpm; Torque: 184lb ft at 1500-2500rpm; Gearbox: 5spd manual

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greedymotion 20 February 2011

Re: Skoda Superb estate Greenline

Re: Skoda Superb estate Greenline

Feb 19, 2011 11:03 PM

greedymotion:
How on earth do you get this sort of MPG? It has baffled VW Dealers as to why it drinks so much....No Matter how gently you drive it. It did rise to 48 once but has settled down to 41 on a journey but 38 is the norm.
That does seem very low. What does it average at a steady 60mph - driving style can't really affect a steady cruise (unless you do it in third gear)? Like a few others above, my Focus 1.6 TDCi has been quite impressive, mid 50s in the winter with a fair bit of urban driving; around 60mpg in the summer, 65mpg on a longer run and over 70 if I drive like a saint. The PSA 1.6 diesel does seem to be a good all-rounder; the reviews of the VAG 1.6 diesel always seem a little lukewarm. As for this Skoda, I suspect this version may be a false economy. Has the Superb got the 140ps common rail 2.0 diesel yet, last time I checked it was still the PD version, only the 170 was CR.
We have been out on the Sunday Drive this morning, about 15 mile on the A1 which has a Compulsory speed limit of 50 mph, so it hovered around the 55 mark and mostly down hill on the way there, it managed to achieve a dizzy height of 47 mpg.
On the way back climbing up hill it dropped to 38 mpg (according to trip which is always 5-8% optimistic ) However just traveling at these speeds which it struggled at times in 5th so had to drop down to 4th, I managed to put the Soot Filter light on!
I Really hate this car...

  • Re: Skoda Superb estate Greenline

    Feb 20, 2011 6:07 PM

    My default company car is a Superb Greenline 1.6 TDi, but I am paying extra for an upgrade to a refined, flexible 2.0 CR. The last thing I want is to spend the day constantly stirring the cogs to try to maintain momentum. I have had enough of that in my Mondeo 1.8 TDCi which is undriveable below 1,800 RPM or above 3,500.
    Knowing what I know now and not doing the unthinkable of just reading the Brochure and Road Tests of this car I would of opted for the 2.0 without hesitation.
    There is a good possibility our example is broken but again we are not the only ones complaining by how much it costs us to run, As mentioned the car we sent for Scrappage a Rover 220 D (15 yrs old) got far superior mpg,
    The Sluggishness your Mondeo has sounds very similar to ours, it only becomes alive above 2000 rpm, Getting back to this unbelievably priced (£25k) Skoda, I just cant imagine people will part with their cash for this VW in Rags..
    Did I mention ours also bunny hops at 1200 and 1800 rpm no matter what gear you are in? All apparently quite normal.
  • Henry Royce 20 February 2011

    Re: Skoda Superb estate Greenline

    My default company car is a Superb Greenline 1.6 TDi, but I am paying extra for an upgrade to a refined, flexible 2.0 CR. The last thing I want is to spend the day constantly stirring the cogs to try to maintain momentum. I have had enough of that in my Mondeo 1.8 TDCi which is undriveable below 1,800 RPM or above 3,500.

    Will86 19 February 2011

    Re: Skoda Superb estate Greenline

    greedymotion wrote:
    How on earth do you get this sort of MPG? It has baffled VW Dealers as to why it drinks so much....No Matter how gently you drive it. It did rise to 48 once but has settled down to 41 on a journey but 38 is the norm.
    That does seem very low. What does it average at a steady 60mph - driving style can't really affect a steady cruise (unless you do it in third gear)? Like a few others above, my Focus 1.6 TDCi has been quite impressive, mid 50s in the winter with a fair bit of urban driving; around 60mpg in the summer, 65mpg on a longer run and over 70 if I drive like a saint. The PSA 1.6 diesel does seem to be a good all-rounder; the reviews of the VAG 1.6 diesel always seem a little lukewarm. As for this Skoda, I suspect this version may be a false economy. Has the Superb got the 140ps common rail 2.0 diesel yet, last time I checked it was still the PD version, only the 170 was CR.