2016 Skoda Superb 206TSI 4X4 Wagon REVIEW – Skoda’s Sleeper, Its Multi-Personality Superb Wagon
DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES ABOUND IN THE 2016 SKODA SUPERB 206TSI 4X4 - it is, as we discovered, a feast of contradictions, yet somehow it all works. And with more than the occasional flash of brilliance.
The 206TSI 4x4 is the flagship of the Czech Republican large sedan and (in this case) wagon lineup, and from the measure of its legroom inside a leather-lined cabin to its chrome snout and multi-spoke alloy wheels, it exudes opulence.
However, this top-spec Superb also pinches the engine and automatic from the fiesty - bordering on rabid - Volkswagen Golf R hot hatch. So there's the first obvious contradiction...
And, also, despite the Skoda brand typifying pragmatism and "value", the pricetag for this sub-Volkswagen and sub-sub-Audi product reads (in the case of our test car) more than $60,000 plus on-road costs.
So, is this pricey but slightly schizophrenic Skoda a mix of awkward bedfellows or do they all fit (ahem) superbly together?
Vehicle Style: Large Wagon
Price: $52,690 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 206kW/350Nm 2.0 litre 4cyl turbo-petrol | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 7.3 l/100km | tested: 10.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Although the Skoda Superb sedan starts from $39,990 plus on-road costs for the front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre turbo petrol 162TSI, a turbo-diesel 140TDI of the same engine capacity is available from $43,990 (plus orc).
Both models offer a similar level of equipment to this 206TSI priced from $50,990 (plus orc), which means the price hike is absorbed mostly by a power upgrade from the 162TSI’s 162kW to – the giveaway being in the name – 206kW, while torque remains an identical 350Nm with both petrol engines.