2016 SKODA Superb Combi / Scout 1.8L TSI 6MT FWD (180 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Skoda was supposed to be the most affordable brand from the Volkswagen group but ended up offering some of the most impressive station wagons on the market.

The Czech carmaker built the Superb as its flagship model, and then it added a station wagon version. It relied on the same MQB platform as the Golf and the Passat, but it was longer than both of them and provided a massive trunk size. It was so big that it made a minivan feel useless.

With a cubist design language, the Czech mid-size station wagon showed a distinct personality on the European market. It showed a front fascia with angular headlights and a broad grille with vertical slats that hid the radar for the adaptive cruise control in the middle. An additional cooling area brought fresh air for the air-conditioning system on the lower side of the apron, while a pair of fog lights found their place on the outer side. The long roofline started a descending slope at the back, above the rear wheels, at a raked-forward angle. The carmaker traded some storage space for the exterior look.

Inside, the dashboard featured a minimalist design language. Skoda added a 6.5” touch-screen infotainment system as standard for the entire range on the center stack. The carmaker designed the front seats for long-distance trips, while at the back, it installed a split-folding bench that increased the trunk size from 660 liters (23.3 cu-ft) up to 1,950 liters (68.9 cu-ft). A power-operated tailgate was on the options list.

Under the hood, Skoda installed only four-cylinder engines, either turbocharged gasoline or diesel. They were paired with a six-speed manual. For the automatic versions, the carmaker offered either a six-speed or a seven-speed (dual-clutch), depending on the engine and traction.