Skoda Superb Estate (mk3) - Alternatives?

[dawsonz]

Me and my wife currently drive a Kia Sportage (2015), it's the family car for long trips/weekends etc. and it's been great prior to the addition of our 2nd child, which as a result, we're finding that the interior space is quite limited, to the point that both front seats are quite far forward causing reduced legroom and a rather uncomfortable drive over a long period of time, we're both quite tall too which doesn't help.

I was wondering what options are out there, that offer a spacious interior for 2 adults and 2 children (4 months and 3 years). Whilst having a boot no smaller than the Sportage, which is roughly 550l.

We went to look at a Skoda Superb Estate at the weekend, and the interior space was vast, boot was huge and the Sportline trim was particularly nice in terms of what spec it offered, all less than the £18k budget too.

Therefore, back on point, what alternatives are there to the Skoda Superb Estate, that offer the above package under my budget?

[7n8n]

If you think that's bad, we have a 3.5 year old and 1.5 year old and a Nissan Note. A recent weekend trip reminded me that while we can get all our stuff in it, comfort is a bit limited for the adults!

You won't better a Superb for interior room but you could look at a smaller estate such as Peugeot 308 or VW Golf. Still exceeds your Sportage for boot space and will probably be cheaper to buy and run than the Superb. Likewise, Skoda Octavia. Seating will be less upright than in the Sportage.

[Wagonwheel555]

Unsure how it compares to a Superb but a 5 series is fairly decent size.

We resorted to a roof box for when we do longer journeys, 90% of the stuff goes in that and keeps the boot reasonably free

[dawsonz]

7n8n said:

If you think that's bad, we have a 3.5 year old and 1.5 year old and a Nissan Note. A recent weekend trip reminded me that while we can get all our stuff in it, comfort is a bit limited for the adults!

You won't better a Superb for interior room but you could look at a smaller estate such as Peugeot 308 or VW Golf. Still exceeds your Sportage for boot space and will probably be cheaper to buy and run than the Superb. Likewise, Skoda Octavia. Seating will be less upright than in the Sportage.

That sounds like a squeeze! It feels as though we take so much stuff when we go away with the kids, so needs must. I did look at an Octavia estate too, I think it'd be interesting to see how the car seats work to give an idea of interior space.

Wagonwheel555 said:

Unsure how it compares to a Superb but a 5 series is fairly decent size.

We resorted to a roof box for when we do longer journeys, 90% of the stuff goes in that and keeps the boot reasonably free

We are hiring a roof box when we next go away to see how that works, unfortunately that doesn't help the limited legroom situation, but does mean a bigger boot isn't necessarily needed.

I really like the the 5 series touring, I suspect a 520d would likely be what falls within the budget.

[MiniMan64]

I suspect you won’t better the legroom in a Superb. I’ve had an Octavia estate for 5 months now and it’s vast.

[drgoatboy]

An eclass estate is not far off a superb but definitely a smidge smaller in the back (but maybe a bit bigger in the boot).
I think 5 series is smaller again but don't have personal experience.
Octavia is much smaller in the back than a superb but better than most in its class.
Mondeo estate looks pretty cavernous and you will probably get a bit more for your money...

[valiant]

Volvo V90.

[CzechRS]

I've got a superb saloon and it's great as a family barge. Passat/a6 are a similar size if badge is an issue.

[Kateg28]

Wagonwheel555 said:

Unsure how it compares to a Superb but a 5 series is fairly decent size.

We resorted to a roof box for when we do longer journeys, 90% of the stuff goes in that and keeps the boot reasonably free

We have a superb estate and a 5 series estate but both previous versions (2010 superb and 2007 E61 BMW). The skoda is better all round in terms of space, especially in the rear seats but the BMW has a wider boot so the boot feels bigger.
It is a really close call but not sure about the newer versions as ours are ageing workhorses now (although we both still love the BMW).

[ZX10R NIN]

Your Sportage boot size is 491L at the very max with a useable 467L.

Mondeo Vignale as well built as the Superb & as big but it's a better steer than the Skoda.

2.0T Vignale 240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

2.0d 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...

Or the new shape Insigna whch is another large estate & in Elite/SRI Nav spec is a very nice place to be too.

2.0T Elite Nav 260 very rare to find a 260 but they are out there & are worth looking out for.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

2.0d SRI Nav 170 these are great value at the moment you'll comfortably get a 2019, which means you'll have 2 years worth of Warranty left.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105092...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...

My leftfield option is the VW Arteon with 563L of boot space:

2.0T Elegance 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

2.0d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

If you want a truly carnivorousness boot the take a look at the Ford Edge:

Sport 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105172...

Titanium 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

[Kateg28]

When we bought the Skoda, we actually went to buy a Mondeo but after testing them both back to back, the Skoda was a clear winner for both of us. And we were surprised as I would have bet money we would have chosen the mondeo (we were replacing a previous version mondeo estate).
This was 8 years ago and do not regret it.

[dawsonz]

ZX10R NIN said:

Your Sportage boot size is 491L at the very max with a useable 467L.

Mondeo Vignale as well built as the Superb & as big but it's a better steer than the Skoda.

2.0T Vignale 240

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104211...

2.0d 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...

Or the new shape Insigna whch is another large estate & in Elite/SRI Nav spec is a very nice place to be too.

2.0T Elite Nav 260 very rare to find a 260 but they are out there & are worth looking out for.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

2.0d SRI Nav 170 these are great value at the moment you'll comfortably get a 2019, which means you'll have 2 years worth of Warranty left.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105092...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105202...

My leftfield option is the VW Arteon with 563L of boot space:

2.0T Elegance 190

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

2.0d

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010265...

If you want a truly carnivorousness boot the take a look at the Ford Edge:

Sport 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105172...

Titanium 210

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105142...

180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105132...

Thanks ZX, always enjoy your posts! I think the mondeo would be a good contender, although I do prefer the looks of the superb, especially in the sport line trim.

[mikegti77]

If it helps, I run a mk3 Superb hatchback (625L boot), we have twin 15 month old boys. The Superb handles 2x rear facing seats with ease, nothing comes close for rear space & general interior space. The only issue I have is compared to a SUV the Superb is low, & as the boys get bigger / heavier it tough on the back!
The Superb is a great family wagon, with great tech, even if it is a little boring to drive.

[dawsonz]

mikegti77 said:

If it helps, I run a mk3 Superb hatchback (625L boot), we have twin 15 month old boys. The Superb handles 2x rear facing seats with ease, nothing comes close for rear space & general interior space. The only issue I have is compared to a SUV the Superb is low, & as the boys get bigger / heavier it tough on the back!
The Superb is a great family wagon, with great tech, even if it is a little boring to drive.

Thank you that’s reassuring to know, I think that may be one of the wife’s biggest gripes going from suv > estate, she really likes the seating position of the sportage.

[Easternlight]

dawsonz said:

Thank you that’s reassuring to know, I think that may be one of the wife’s biggest gripes going from suv > estate, she really likes the seating position of the sportage.

How about a Kodiaq? Big tall (SUV) estate. Tried a Scout demonstrator last year and I was very impressed.

[Easternlight]

dawsonz said:

Thank you that’s reassuring to know, I think that may be one of the wife’s biggest gripes going from suv > estate, she really likes the seating position of the sportage.

How about a Kodiaq? Big tall (SUV) estate. Tried a Scout demonstrator last year and I was very impressed.

[dawsonz]

Easternlight said:

How about a Kodiaq? Big tall (SUV) estate. Tried a Scout demonstrator last year and I was very impressed.

We really liked the Kodiaq, but in the SE L trim it was coming in right at the tip of the budget unfortunately.

[malks222]

was in the market for a large family estate last year, short list was: skoda superb, bmw 5 (f11), merc E class, volvo v90, mondeo and passat. whittled that down to the superb v 5 series.

I ended up with the 5 series (520d) and have no regrets. plenty big enough for the kid and all the stuff that a trip to family in ireland/ holiday requires. one of the reasons i went bmw was that leather/ nav/ heated seats/ parking sensors all came as standard, so made finding one I wanted a bit easier than scouring over the spec.

it’s not the cutting edge in handling/ pace, but it’s a big family bus and it’s main duty is wafting me and the family around in comfort and it does that job great.

but beware that the rear air suspension is a weak point, and when it gets a saggy bottom you just replace the airbags with the cheapest replacement parts (£50-80 on ebay) and your good to go

[MC Bodge]

If maximum boot size is critical, then the Superb is probably the one. The 1.4 TSI was excellent, far better than the size would suggest and economical. I'm not sure what the 1.5 is like.

The Mondeo is loaded with kit and handles well, although the petrol engines are quite thirsty compared with VAG. The 1.5 petrol shifts on the move, but needs working hard and does around 35mpg, if that matters to you. The 2.0 auto is apparently much more thirsty.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 26th May 17:03

[Ams12]

I can't comment to much about other alternatives, however when looking at Superbs i did consider a Mercedes E class, i couldn't justify the additional costs for a car that had similar spec and mileage for what i wanted. I had also ruled out BMW's based on previous experiences and horror stories on the 2.0 diesel units.

I can say the Skoda Superb hatchback is a great allrounder, it's pretty big, comfortable drive and is overall a solid car. I have a SE-L spec which has more than enough spec as standard.