The VW Passat whose chassis the Superb borrows was first launched over ten years ago and it shows. Those with little or no level of expectation of driving dynamics will probably not too be too disappointed by the way the Superb goes down the road, but if even a shred of you wants to enjoy your time at the wheel, look away now.
The engine is actually quite powerful and responsive though, as it is in almost all applications, it’s too noisy at all speeds, which is bad enough in most cars but just about the last thing you want in a large saloon with pretensions of refinement. It will deliver good performance, getting the Superb’s 1518kg bulk to 62mph in a smidge less than 10sec and cruising right on up to 133mph, but this is not a car that likes living on the red line. Instead you make the most of the engine’s torque and the gearbox’s standard six speeds and keep the revs down and the engine noise at an acceptable level.
Mooch along like this and you’ll at least be rewarded by the exceptional fuel consumption for which this engine is rightly renowned. Official figures say 44.1mpg on the combined cycle which means an easy 450 miles, despite the rather modest 55 litre fuel tank.
You may want to get out rather sooner than that, however, thanks to the Superb’s crummy ride quality. It is here that its attempt at being a luxury saloon falls most rapidly apart. There are small hatchbacks out there that ride conspicuously better than this, especially around town. Nor does the Superb handle exactly brilliantly either. The long wheelbase, aged chassis and some ill-judged suspension settings mean it’s safe when you hurl it around, but about as much fun as standing on the prow of a cross-Channel ferry during a force 8 gale.