2009 Skoda Superb V6 3.6 FSI Elegance 4x4 Road Test Review

When the rear seat-backs are in an upright position, the boot will accommodate 565 litres of luggage. If folded forward, an enormous 1,670 litres is made available.

Below the boot's luggage floor there is further storage space for oddments, as well a full-size spare wheel. There are eyelets at the side of the boot floor to secure goods, and folding hooks to hold shopping bags.

As much as we have plenty to be proud of with our locally produced cars, they simply don't offer the Superb's level of quality or class. With entry to the Superb range starting at just $42,990, this is a car that should be posing a serious price/value challenge for traditional 'large Aussie sedan' buyers.

Equipment and features

The standard equipment across all three trim levels - Ambition, Elegance and Elegance 4x4 - is impressive, more so when you consider the price.

Dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a multi-function trip computer and Bolero touch screen eight-speaker audio system with integrated six-CD changer and MP3 auxiliary input socket are standard features on the base 'Ambition' Superb.

Cruise control, auto-on headlights, front fog-lights with corner function, rear parking sensors, chrome interior trim and a leather package for the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake grip are also standard-issue.

Opt for the Elegance or Elegance 4x4 trim levels and your Superb will also be fitted with Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS (Adaptive Front Light System), an alarm system and the addition of a 400W, 10 channel amplifier and 2 extra speakers for the Bolero sound system.

Electric roller blinds for the rear window and electrically-adjustable driver and passenger seats are also standard Elegance fare, while the Elegance 4x4 also includes a leather/artificial leather combination interior.

Notable options include the 'Columbus' navigation system that features a 30GB hard drive - 10GB for navigation and 20GB that can be used for storing music.

There is also Park Assist to take the hassle out of reverse parking, and a unique electric sunroof that uses solar cells to power a ventilator that assists air circulation inside the vehicle when it's parked.

Skoda claims that this optional feature is capable of lowering interior temperatures by as much as 25 degrees celsius. A conventional sunroof is also available.

The Superb has a full complement of safety features and has been awarded a 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating.  A nine-airbag package is standard across both trim levels and includes front driver and passenger airbags, front and rear side-airbags, curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag.

Also standard is Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), along with a dual-rate brake booster, which contributes to a shorter braking distance in critical situations.

Mechanical Package

Being wholly owned by Volkswagen ensures that there is a choice of sophisticated drivetrain combinations at Skoda's disposal. In the Superb's case, buyers can choose from three engines - two petrol and one diesel - all of which feature direct fuel-injection technology.

Those preferring the torquey yet ultra-frugal nature of a diesel can opt for the 2.0 TDI engine. It produces 125kW and 350Nm, and is paired with a six-speed DSG gearbox. The 2.0 TDI is officially rated at 6.9 l/100km combined cycle and produces 182g/km of CO2.

The entry-level petrol engine is the 1.8 TSI, which outputs 118kW and 250Nm. The lower torque output means that Skoda can safely hook it up to Volkswagen's seven-speed DSG gearbox. This drivetrain combination is rated at 8.4 l/100km on the combined cycle, and emits 200 g/km of CO2.

'Our' Elegance 4x4 on the other hand came fitted with Volkswagen's magnificent 3.6 litre V6 FSI, which works in tandem with a six-speed DSG and permanent four-wheel-drive system.

With a healthy 191kW and 350Nm on tap it manages to offer up a well balanced mix of power and refinement. Officially it's rated at 10.2 l/100km on the combined cycle, but the worst we saw in urban driving was 10.4 l/100km.

Highway cruising was a real eye-opener, but more on that later.

The 3.6-litre FSI V6 - despite its significantly larger capacity - is actually commendably clean, producing a impressively low 243g/km of CO2.

The permanent four-wheel-drive system uses a fourth-generation Haldex clutch and monitors the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles electronically.

Normal driving conditions will see 100 percent of the torque channelled to the front wheels, however loss of traction can result in some or all of the available torque being directed to the rear wheels.

The Superb shares its chassis with the Volkswagen Passat, albeit slightly stretched. The front suspension is a coil sprung MacPherson strut with lower wishbone arrangement, while the rear suspension is an independent four-link configuration.

Both front and rear brakes feature vented discs ( 312 x 25mm (front)and a single piston floating caliper. Steering is rack and pinion with electro-mechanical assistance.

The 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TDI equipped Superbs feature 312×25mm front ventilated rotors and 286×12mm solid rear rotors. Skoda has seen fit to beef up the brakes on the Elegance 4x4 model, by fitting 345×30mm ventilated front rotors and 310×22mm ventilated rear rotors.

The Drive

There is no proximity key, nor push button start. Firing up the Elegance 4x4's V6 is done the old fashioned way, by turning the key.

A low-pitched starter motor kicks life into the 3.6 litre, which gently settles on its idle RPM. The process sounds distinctly 'German', as befits the drivetrain's origin.

The six-speed DSG offers three modes of operation. Select 'Drive' and the Elegance 4x4 will waft around, with seamless changes as it maintains forward momentum.

'Sport' mode wakes both car and driver, with the emphasis placed on extracting performance. The appropriate gear for maximum thrust is held longer and at higher revs, keeping the V6 on song and sounding delectable.

Be warned though, Sport mode is addictive, and while it will have you grinning, you'll pay for it at the pump.

You can of course, move the selector across to the left and manually select gears, or if you prefer, you can option a steering wheel with paddle gear-selectors.

Whatever setting, and however you choose to change gears, it is hard to think of a more accomplished gearbox than Volkswagen's DSG. It never put a foot wrong on test, never hesitated over a gear selection, and never made a choice that wasn't appropriate for the situation.

The sexy-sounding 3.6 litre V6 FSI engine is a pearler that enjoys a rev, and offers a surprising combination of performance and efficiency. We took the Elegance 4x4 along on our recent 1000km VE Commodore Berlina 3.0 SIDI economy trial, and it nearly stole the show.