No Brexit blues for this Skoda

Test Drive by Graham Breeze

A big black Brexit cloud may be hanging over the motoring industry but there’s no rain falling on Skoda’s parade and the Superb SportLine is a reason why sales continue to grow.

Gloomy reports may dominate the news agenda, but buyers are still being tempted by Skoda and the introduction of a SportLine Plus Estate with an arm-long list of extra equipment is one of the reasons the company is flourishing.

Skoda bosses say the new addition has arrived to meet specific customer demand and you will certainly have to go a long way to find a more cost-effective option in the estate sector with prices starting at £29,330.

You would have to dig a bit deeper for the 2.0 TSi 280PS 4X4 DSG we tested though. Getting on the road would cost you £37,760 but the test car came with dynamic chassis control, heated 3-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel, heated windscreen washer nozzles, metallic paint, space saver spare wheel and virtual pedal pushed the cost up to £39,710.

A choice of three petrol and two diesel engines is offered, with the option of four-wheel drive and six-speed DSG automatic gearbox and the range-topping 2.0-litre TSI 280PS 4X4 on test can sprint from 0-62mph in just 5.8 seconds.

Proudly standing on 19inch alloys the Supereb has Alacantra sports seats, Bi-exenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, black roof headlining, blind spot detection, along with Columbus satellite navigation with 9inch touchscreen display and integrated WiFi and 3D map navigation.

You get electrically adjustable and heated driver’s seat and door mirrors and an electrically operated boot lid which reveals a boot-space to rival anything in the sector. With the rear seats folded flat it’s big enough to even keep the local undertaker happy.

Outwardly the SportLine Plus stands out in any crowd thanks to gloss black sports styling, including roof rails, front grille, side strip, window surrounds and door mirrors – all topped with SportLine badging. Privacy glass adds a touch of class.

The standard kit list also includes front and rear parking sensors, Drive Mode Select, dual-zone climate control, KESSY keyless entry and cruise control. A sports chassis lowers the car’s ride height by 15mm, and an XDS electronic differential lock ensures sharper handling.

Combined fuel performance of 39.2mpg and a C02 reading of 164g/km mean the test car is likely to appeal to both private and fleet owners with the maximum speed of 155mph a bit impressive too – oh for the opportunity to test that claim. 

It’s been well documented that I’m not a fan of lane departure systems but Skoda really has mastered the art. Pressing a button at the end of a control stalk engages the system easily to operate alongside cruise control – which means you can switch it off just as easily.

It is best to warn front-seat passengers that you’re taking your hands off the wheel for a few seconds just to test the system – the screams can be deafening. There’s a big benefit in heavy traffic too, where you can relax with just a little throttle control needed.

Inside the cabin may not be as plush as in some of the opposition - and that includes its Passat cousin – but there’s not a great deal to complain about, with plenty of leg and shoulder room up front and in the back where three can sit in comfort.

Verdict: This new Skoda will meet the needs of the family driver, the business owner looking for more space and the enthusiast turned on by 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds so expect sales to go through the roof.