SKODA KAMIQ REVIEW: BRIAN BYRNE, IRISH CAR

The Latin for traffic jam is fluxus interclusio, writes Brian Byrne. No, that doesn't refer to ancient Rome's stone streets crowded with ox-drawn plaustrums and essedums powered by horse — carts and chariots for those of us without a heavy classical education. It's a modern phrase in the special dictionary, Lexicon Recentis Latinitatis, updated regularly by scholars in the Vatican, the only state where Latin is still the primary working language.

I was thinking of that recently when driving Skoda's current Kamiq small crossover. Not because of the car itself, but its manual transmission. While caught in some of those 'fluxus' traffic situations and having to do the stop-go thing with gear stick and clutch. As we move through the next few years, that's a thing fewer motorists will be experiencing. In the last three years, automatic transmissions in new car sales have gone from two in three to more than eight in ten. That will be gradually feeding through the used car system until eventually the bulk of the national car parc will be automatic.

The Kamiq was also unusual in these days in that it comes as petrol-only in our market. With that kind of engine in third place of preference, behind battery-electric and hybrid, it might seem on the extinction road. But no, the engine still has a solid 20 per cent share of the powertrain type. As the brand says these days, 'there's a Skoda for that'.

The Kamiq has been around since 2019, with a facelift in 2023, and is styled as a straightforward small crossover, related to the other VW Group cars SEAT Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross. Skoda always does something different though, and in the Kamiq's case that difference is more interior room. Making it a good option for a family on the grow but not wishing to go as far as a larger and more expensive C-segment alternative. The facelift sharpened up the front and rear and there were some upshifts to the interior trim and instrumentation. My review had a pack option replacing chrome trims with black, which, paradoxically, added a style strength to the whole thing.

The interior look in some ways has a lot going on in the trim design, yet the various elements do work together. The centre screen is small by today's general standards, but with good, intuitive graphics, and there are knobs and switches for climate, seat heaters, and audio volume. I liked the modern styling of the driver information cluster, and impressive too is the clear labelling on the steering wheel remotes. 

The seats in the review car were a mix of artificial leather and suede, all seeming very practical. The Kamiq is wider, taller and longer than its cousin Arona I drove some time ago, and that extra space is given mostly over to the comfort of the rear occupants, via a longer wheelbase. It makes a significant difference, the Skoda accommodating full adults rather than the mostly child-sized accommodation in the SEAT. There's 400L of cargo capacity in both. Up front, for this awkward taller, less supple than I used to be, driver, I found my space and ergonomics to be quite Goldilocks in suitability.

The engines in the Kamiq are a 1-litre 3-cylinder with 95hp available in the base Essence grade, or 115hp in the Selection and Monte Carlo trims that offers a quite respectable 0-100km/h in under 10 seconds. Perfectly adequate — nobody buys this kind of car for a hot rod experience. The DSG automatic option is a 7-speed.

Handling is par for the course in this level of car, which again is exactly what it should be for the kind of use it will get. As for that manual transmission, even in the 'fluxus interclusio' situations that I encountered on some of the usual commuter gridlocks in my area, it was a tidy shifter to manage, with a nicely balanced clutch action that took some of the hardship out of the equation. I'd still always prefer the now more common autobox, though.

PRICE: From €29,270; Review car €34,170. WHAT I LIKED: Understated style can still make a statement. 

Škoda Peaq sets new range record

The Škoda Peaq has set a new range record for seven-seater electric SUVs by travelling 936km on a single charge of its 91 kWh battery, writes Brian Byrne. The record attempt, led by Škoda employees Marek Jež and Jakub Krs, was supervised by TÜV SÜD and began in Mladá Boleslav, ending in Zandvoort, Netherlands. 

The car was a production model, rear-wheel drive, and with  low-rolling-resistance tyres. It achieved an average energy consumption of 9.2 kWh/100 km. The journey, which took place from 25 to 26 August 2026, included driver changes and breaks.

The Peaq goes on sale in Ireland in November at a starting price of €54,995. 

Škoda announces Irish pricing for Peaq flagship EV

Škoda Ireland has announced the pricing and specifications for the new Škoda Peaq, its seven-seat electric flagship, writes Brian Byrne. Starting at €54,995, the Peaq offers three electric powertrains with ranges up to 637 kilometres. 

It is the largest SUV in Škoda’s range, and will be available in Selection and Sportline trims. The Peaq 60 Selection includes features like 19-inch alloy wheels, a 13.6-inch infotainment display, and three-zone climate control. The Peaq 90 Selection, expected to be popular, offers up to 637 km of range and starts at €58,150. Sportline models begin at €61,550, and the Peaq 90X starts at €59,650. 

A nationwide roadshow will start in November 2026, with the first models arriving in January 2027.

 

Škoda reveals Epiq in Ireland

Škoda Ireland has unveiled the Epiq, a fully electric small SUV, priced from €24,559, writes Brian Byrne. It joins the Enyaq and Elroq in Škoda’s electric lineup and is the brand's most affordable EV. 

The Epiq features Škoda's Modern Solid Design, a 475-litre boot, and is the company's first front-wheel-drive electric model. It offers a range of around 435 kilometres, fast DC charging in 24 minutes, and features which include V2L, V2H, and one-pedal driving. 

Available in four trim levels, customers can choose between a 38.5 kWh battery (275 km range) or a 55 kWh battery (435 km range). Orders have been open since May, and there will be preview events in October and November. First deliveries are expected in January 2027. 

Skoda Enyaq 130 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

When I first took out a Skoda Enyaq for review, in the summer of 2021, a neighbour asked whether she could have a look at it, writes Brian Byrne. I took her out for a drive, and that afternoon she put in her order. Due to the somewhat unexpected popularity of the model, along with component supply issues related to the pandemic, it was close to the end of the year before she got delivery. She’s still driving it, and it has done Trojan duty in her busy teenagers—now university—family space.

I also remember that my younger teenage Australian granddaughter, staying with us at the time, found the car to be 'cool', a phrase she repeated many times during that review period. Now, at the stage of looking for a car for herself as she starts university back in her Oz homeland at the end of this year, I'm sure she'd be just as impressed with the latest version. The Enyaq would be a bit large for her, but I do know she's been looking at electric. Possibly because her mum pays the household electricity bill!

My review car this week is the facelifted version of the Enyaq, in its 130 Edition trim, one produced in limited quantities. I've long held the view that Skoda has moved within the Volkswagen Group universe from the poorer relation to the rich uncle, in perceived quality terms of their related models. The Enyaq is no exception. 

As an update, the basic shape of the car hasn't been altered much, though it's marginally longer and taller than the original. The main change is cosmetic, front and rear. The pseudo-grille of the 2021 version has been cast into the once-upon-a-time bin and now offers a very sleek and techno look, while the horizontal lines at the back are visually held together by clever sculpting to provide a rear-three-quarter of considerable character. The 21-inch alloy wheels are handsome.

Anyone choosing the Enyaq for the second time will feel very at home in the car. There hasn't been much mucking around in what was already a strong space. The same dashboard shape, dominant infotainment screen, nicely set back from the glare driver information pod, and the very welcome manual controls for picking the climate screen, drive mode, and access to ADAS settings. The eagle-eyed will spot the subtly upgraded steering wheel, especially the Skoda text rather than the old Indian head logo. I had a feeling that there had been an upshift in the quality of the trim, which, if so, only enhances the previous very good. The room for three in the back is more than ample, and if there are only two, they can well separate with the pull-down backrest that forms an armrest and cupholder slots. The airy panoramic sunroof comes with the 130 Edition. The boot capacity remains the same as before, at a capacious 585L. The tailgate can be opened by a virtual kick under the rear, as long as you have the key fob with you.

The 130's powertrain is the 286hp system used in four of the six variants available of the Enyaq, with an 82kWh battery rated WLTP at 563km range. The power output is substantially higher than before, and despite pulling more than 2.3 tonnes, it's a nippy car when you want it to be, offering a sprint to 100km/h of 6.7 seconds. We who drive lots of electrics are spoiled for smooth and silent travel, but the high-quality ambience of the Enyaq seems to add even more.

PRICE: From €43,790 OTR; review car €48,973. WHAT I LIKED: No attempt to overcook something already just to taste. 

Škoda Peaq set for January 2027 arrival in Ireland

Škoda’s new flagship electric SUV, the Peaq, will arrive in Ireland in January 2027, writes Brian Byrne, with pricing and final specifications due in August.

Unveiled in Mladá Boleslav on 23 June 2026, the Peaq is Škoda’s first all-electric model in the large SUV segment and its largest SUV to date. The seven-seat model offers a range of over 640 kilometres, a length of 4.87 metres, and up to 890 litres of luggage capacity in seven-seat configuration.

The Peaq introduces several firsts for the brand, including flush door handles and a panoramic roof with Dynamic Shade Control. It also features LED Matrix headlights, bidirectional charging, and a new Android-based infotainment system with a 13.6-inch display.

Škoda Ireland Brand Director John Donegan said the Peaq builds on the popularity of the Kodiaq and is designed to expand the brand’s appeal in the electric era. 

Production of Epiq starts

Škoda Auto has begun series production of its new all-electric entry model, the Epiq, at Volkswagen Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, writes Brian Byrne, marking the brand’s first-ever vehicle production in the country.

The Epiq is part of the VW group's Electric Urban Car Family, under which four models from CUPRA, Volkswagen and Škoda will be built at Spanish plants. The move helps preserve capacity at Škoda's Czech factories for other high-demand models while expanding its EV lineup.

Positioned in the entry-level electric segment, the Epiq is the brand’s first vehicle based on the new MEB+ platform and the first to fully adopt Škoda’s Modern Solid design language. Together with the upcoming Peaq, it is expected to play a central role in doubling Škoda’s electric portfolio this year. 

Sketches of new Skoda Peaq

Škoda has offered an early look at its new all-electric seven-seat flagship SUV, the Peaq, ahead of its full debut later this month, writes Brian Byrne. In exterior sketches, the Czech carmaker showed a large SUV shaped by its “Modern Solid” design language, with clean lines, sculpted surfaces, and distinctive T-shaped lighting signatures front and rear. 

The Peaq is designed to project a confident, timeless presence while signalling the brand’s move further into the electric era, according to the carmaker. 

The world premiere will take place in Monnetier-Mornex, France, on 23 June 2026. 

Skoda reveals new Epiq compact SUV

Skoda has officially revealed its Epiq, a fully-electric, compact SUV, priced from €24,559 including the SEAI Grant and VRT Rebate, writes Trish Whelan. It will be the brand’s most affordable fully electric model and the entry point to its all-electric portfolio. Epiq will sit below the Elroq and Enyaq in the company’s EV line-up. It will be the brand’s first all-electric model with front-wheel drive. 

With a range of around 435kms and fast DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 24 minutes, it is suited to both city driving and longer journeys. The 475 litre luggage compartment is among the largest in its class. 

Irish customers will have the option of multiple different Epiq trims of Choice, Essence, Selection, and Sportline, and two gross battery options of 38.5 or 55kWh depending on the chosen trim. Skoda Ireland will begin taking orders for the Selection 55 trim as of launch, with the remaining trims available for ordering from Q3 of 2026. 

Units are expected to be on the ground for the 271 registration plate.

Škoda previews new Epiq with sketches

Škoda Auto has released the first interior sketches of the upcoming Epiq, its most affordable all-electric compact SUV, ahead of the model’s world premiere on 19 May 2026, writes Brian Byrne. The Epiq is the first Škoda production model to fully showcase the brand’s Modern Solid design language.

The sketch shows a clean, angular interior focused on simplicity, space and ease of use. A horizontal layout replaces the traditional dashboard, giving the cabin a more open feel.

Part of Volkswagen Group’s European Urban Car Family, the Epiq is expected to play an important role in expanding electric mobility to more customers and in helping Škoda double its battery-electric vehicle portfolio in 2026. 

In the first quarter of 2026, Škoda Auto became Europe’s second best-selling car brand, delivering 222,500 vehicles (+17.1%) and outperforming the overall market. Worldwide deliveries to customers increased 14.0% year on year to 271,900 vehicles, driven mainly by the all-electric Elroq and Enyaq, which ranked second and fifth among Europe’s best-selling BEVs.

Skoda Elroq RS review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

At the end of the first quarter of the year, with most 261 sales locked in, Skoda is solidly in fourth place in overall car sales in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. Unlike many competitor brands, it is also holding on to a strong customer base in diesel-powered cars, as a current radio ad campaign shows. Simply put, Skoda has a strong rural Ireland following, and for very many of them, diesel rules. 

In a 9-model Skoda range, there are so far two electrics, the Enyaq and the Elroq, which, between them, have in this past quarter accounted for 15 per cent of all sales. In a spread where the diesel Kodiaq, Octavia and Superb account for half of all Skodas rolled out through showrooms, that's a strong electric performance, with a trend definitely upwards. 

I first drove a Skoda Elroq last year, and was immediately impressed with what I called the 'Goldilocks' feeling. That, in very many ways, compared to outside-the-brand competitors and its larger sibling, Enyaq, it felt just right. For this week, I'm driving the RS, the sporty and more powerful version.

It’s no surprise the two electric Skodas look alike. They share the same front-end styling — the Enyaq got a refresh last year — along with a number of other panels. The Elroq is shorter, but also wider and taller than the Enyaq. They both sit on the same wheelbase, though the Elroq’s shorter rear cuts into boot space. In size terms, it sits somewhere between a Volvo's EX40  and a Hyundai Tucson.

It’s a really smart-looking car. The shorter length and sharper design details give it a sportier feel than the Enyaq. I also liked exterior details such as the proper door handles — I’m not a fan of the flush ones that pop out as you walk up to the car.

Skoda has done a nice job with the interior as well. The central screen is large, as you’d expect from VW and its sister brands, but it’s easy to use. The driver display is tucked away to cut down on glare and gives you exactly what you need to know, in a clear, simple way. The quality of the finish was no surprise, based on the other Skoda models I’ve driven over the past several years. In this RS variant, there's a suede finish to the dashboard that provides a comfortable and premium ambience, and my review car's trim included yellow stitching along door panel and seat edges and on the steering wheel. Thanks to the extra width and the Enyaq’s long wheelbase, three adults can fit comfortably in the back.

My car had an 84kWh battery, with a claimed range of 550km, though in real terms, think about 100km less, and that's still adequate. With 340hp and dual electric motors, it can do 0-100km/h in a brisk 5.4 seconds, a good 1.2 seconds faster than the next down, the Sportline. Though weighing about 2.2 tonnes, the car never really felt heavy, and includes an adaptive chassis as standard. If you push it, it's the fastest acceleration in the present Skoda lineup. Not a supercar, but sportily satisfying, and comfortable in the knowledge that the AWD will keep the drive in good shape.

Some cars take a while to get used to, while others feel familiar almost straight away. The Elroq, in both guises that I've driven so far, is definitely in the second group and shows well how to bridge the space between a compact city car and a larger family one. Skoda also does this well with its combustion cars. I've always felt that the Czech producer does a much more customer-satisfying job than its VW parent, and that's also why their diesel sales in Ireland are holding up. All their cars are well thought through for their local markets. 

That’s how, if they get it right, Europe’s leading carmakers can stand their ground against the new arrivals, especially those from China. The next electric offering from Skoda will be the Epiq city SUV, sometime around the middle of the year. If what the brand has been producing in this field so far is an accurate guide, it will help push the Irish Skoda sales performance even further up the ladder and strengthen the share of electrics. 

PRICE: From €56,850. WHAT I LIKED: Goldilocks with an edge. 

Škoda Auto is set to unveil its new flagship electric vehicle, the Peaq SUV, in mid-2026, writes Brian Byrne. Based on the Vision 7S concept, this fully electric model will expand Škoda’s electric lineup, doubling the EV models in 2026. 

Measuring nearly 4.9 metres, the company claims a range of over 600 kilometres from the powertrain. 

With five seats, it offers a class-leading 1,010 litres of boot space. There will also be a 7-seat option. 

Skoda reveals new Superb PHEV has 140km EV range

Skoda has expanded the Superb range with a new 200kW plug-in hybrid powertrain to the Superb hatchback variant priced from €50,685 excluding delivery and related charges, writes Trish Whelan. It joins the Superb Combi, already offered with plug-in hybrid technology. The existing 150kW PHEV powertrain will continue to be offered in the Superb Combi. 

The new powertrain combines a 1.5 TSI petrol engine producing 130kW with an 85kW electric motor and a 25.7kWh traction battery, with a combined total output of 268bhp, the most powerful combustion-engine version in the current Superb range. 

Since its introduction in 2019, more than 68,000 Superb iV models have been sold globally.

Smarties new Skoda Epiq teased

With a touch of the Smarties, Skoda has released a teaser photo of the new Epiq small electric car, set to be unveiled later this year, writes Brian Byrne. The city SUV crossover aims to make electric mobility more accessible and attract new customer groups to the brand. 

Combining compact dimensions with a spacious interior and a range of up to 430 km, it is designed for convenient everyday use. 

The company says that pricing in many markets will be comparable to that of equivalent combustion-engine cars.  

New Skoda 7-seat EV for summer debut

Skoda has teased a new 7-seater flagship due to debut in the summer by releasing its name, Peaq, writes Brian Byrne. The car will be an all-electric model, filling out the top end of the brand's EV portfolio.

Few other details of the car have been revealed, aside from the fact that it follows the themes established by the Vision 7S concept car introduced in 2022.

The images supplied suggest an angular, edgy look that is trending across the industry.

The company says it brings the brand values and spaciousness to a 'whole new level' in the segment.

Skoda Elroq Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Here's a thought: on a global basis, electric vehicles are displacing 2 million barrels of oil demand per day, writes Brian Byrne. That's roughly equal to Germany’s total daily consumption. As Germany has the largest car market in Europe, that's a significant figure, even in world terms, as is the fact that electric cars on the world stage now account for a fifth of all car production, and counting. Makes Donald Trump's attempts to roll back the EV in the United States akin to King Canute's foray against the tides of the sea.

Because of their large population and the long-standing policy push toward EVs, Chinese brands account for the bulk of global electric car production. With overcapacity imperilling their viability, they are aggressively pushing exports, especially into Europe, the world's second-largest EV market. Success rates range from a 12 per cent share of Norway's electric car sales to around 2 per cent in Germany in the first half of this year. And growing.

All of which makes it so very important how the legacy European carmakers respond with their own EVs. Among these is VW-owned Skoda, number five on the EV sales ladder in Ireland this year, where parent VW is number one. Skoda is important, bringing the VW Group EV share to more than one in every five cars sold. The Elroq is the Czech Republic-based maker's latest model, and from a standing start, it has nosed ahead of its established larger sibling, the Enyaq.

That they look similar is understandable. The two cars share front-end styling — the Enyaq was refreshed this year — and other panels. The Elroq is shorter, but wider and taller than the larger one. Both have the same wheelbase, but the Elroq's shorter boot space reduces cargo capacity. From a comparative size perspective, it is bigger than a Nissan Qashqai and smaller than a Peugeot 3008.

It does look very smart. The shorter length and sharp-edged design details add a sporty character, and the car also had that Goldilocks just-right feel for me from the moment I first sat in. Among the external details I appreciated were the real door handles — I don't like the flush ones that slide out as you approach the car. My review car had good-looking alloys that set it off at a standstill.

Skoda does a good job with its interior styling, too. Even with three different tones in the dashboard trim, they all meshed well. The central screen is large, as we expect from VW and its subsidiaries, but easy to navigate. The driver information is neatly recessed to avoid glare and offers just what's needed in a clear, straightforward style. A high-quality finish was no surprise, given the other Skoda models I've driven over the last couple of years. The 'Lodge' interior package included red seatbelts and some good-supporting sporty seats. Three adults will easily be accommodated in the rear thanks to that extra width, and the impressive legroom inherited from the Enyaq's wheelbase.

There are three power options and three battery sizes to choose from. My car had the 82kWh battery, offering a 576km rated range — other options are 55/63kWh energy packs, offering 373/427km respectively. The 285hp on tap gave the car a sprightly 6.6 seconds in the 0-100km/h sprint despite its more than 2.6 tonnes weight. It's worth noting that the suspension settings are excellent, and the car never felt its weight.

Some cars take time to adjust to, and others one feels at home in immediately. My experience with most Chinese offerings tends to fall into the first category. The Elroq was very much in the second. Which is where, if they keep it up, the leading European carmakers will be able to hold their own against the incomers. 

Skoda and similar are showing the way to survival in one of the most cut-throat consumer industries on the planet.

PRICE: From €36,545 on the road; review car €42,315. WHAT I LIKED: The Goldilocks feeling. 

New estate concept design from Skoda

Skoda has developed a new concept estate car, the Vision O, showcasing the next generation of the brand's Modern Solid design language, writes Brian Byrne. The production vehicle, based on a future platform of Volkswagen Group, is planned for the next decade.

The interior of the Vision O includes a new Human Machine Interface layout with a customisable 'Horizon' display for both front passengers. A vertically oriented central screen features. 

New Bio-Adaptive Lighting enhances what Skoda calls the serene and sophisticated atmosphere within the cabin.

We await with interest how all that designer description is turned into a road-going car.

Skoda Kodiaq Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

More than a fifth of the more than 10,000 Skodas sold so far this year in Ireland are Kodiaqs, writes Brian Byrne, a testament to the Czech brand's position in the mid-sized crossover SUV space. The vehicle also ranks in 7th place in overall car sales and is the only big SUV in the top 10 increasing its sales.

New to the market in 2024, the second generation of Kodiaq is built on the original's attributes of ample size, a strong look, and very practical styling. The latest one is a bit longer, but shares the wheelbase of its predecessor. Optionally a 7-seater, that extra length means more space for luggage even with the rearmost seats up. Or, in the 5-seat format of my review car, a whopping capacity of 640-725 litres.

The visuals front and rear are a significant update, giving the car a stronger presence even as the more square details of the predecessor are softened. That larger black grille is a statement piece, tilting at premium contemporaries. New LED Matrix headlights and a horizontal lighting strip behind the grille bars are matched at the back with a similar full-width red lighting bar that links two new tail-light clusters. Some detailing of the C-pillar adds a little rakishness. Overall, the design has a premium feel, especially in the Sportline, which has a set of exterior enhancements.

There's been a substantial shift inside, notably in the dashboard style and a new free-standing infotainment screen. The driving instrument cluster has an interesting and easily read set of digital and analogue-type readouts, with a choice from five layouts. The climate controls are operated by proper knobs, with the seat heat controls neatly built into them. The transmission selection is moved to just behind the steering wheel, leaving the centre console clear for storage.

The car has plenty of space for three adults in the second row of seats or two with a pull-down table armrest between them. The panoramic roof that comes with the Sportline package makes it feel all the more roomy.

Kodiaq is available with petrol, plug-in hybrid petrol, and diesel powertrains that are becoming scarcer in other marques. Indeed, Skoda as a brand is bucking the trend of diminishing diesel sales. But my review car was the Kodiaq iV, which has the 202hp PHEV motor. The all-electric range with this one is a reasonably realistic 100km. Using the system as fully as possible means that the overall fuel consumption and emissions are substantially lower than even the diesel. It's also, even against the very well-muffled diesels from Skoda, much, much quieter. My driving time with this one was a consistently pleasant experience. The transmission in the iV is the 6-speed version of the dual-clutch automatics used across the Volkswagen Group, and it matched it well. There's a good balance of ride and handling, which compares well with any premium competitor. 

Skoda likes to offer clever details, and the Kodiaq has the umbrella in the driver's door that is so useful in the Irish climate — and you can buy one to put into the passenger's door. An integrated funnel in the screenwasher fluid container makes topping up a non-messy affair. A USB-C socket in the rear-view mirror housing is ideal for powering a dashcam without having trailing cables.

Today, one in ten cars rolling out of showrooms in Ireland is a Skoda. There are reasons for that, all of which were evident in the Kodiaq iV that I really enjoyed driving. 

PRICE: From €55,140; review car €58,400. WHAT I LIKED: It's a rugged, all-around practical, large car with style.

 

RS Elroq will be Skoda's fastest accelerating car

A new RS version of Skoda's Elroq EV will offer an acceleration potential of 5.4 seconds to 100km/h, writes Brian Byrne. The car will have two electric motors and a rated range of 540 km.

In total, the powertrain system will generate 340hp for which an adaptive chassis is standard. The car will be Skoda's fastest production car to date.

In keeping with the RS designation there will be black-painted body accessories, RS-exclusive alloy wheels measuring up to 21 inches and sporty interior with Suedia upholstery. LED matrix beam headlights will be standard. 

Skoda Superb 2.0 diesel review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Czech automaker Skoda was founded during the pioneering days of the automobile in 1895, making it one of the longest-established car companies in the world. Skoda has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1991. Since the brand’s flagship Skoda Superb was launched in 2001, over 1.6 million have been produced. The model has been the best-selling car in its segment here over the last seven years, with over 10,000 units delivered to Irish homes. Some 584 Superbs have already been sold this year against the 638 for the whole of 2024. 

While many competitors have abandoned the large saloon segment, Skoda deserves much praise for sticking with the traditional large saloon styling of the Superb and the Combi estate version. I prefer to think of the hatch as a lift-back saloon. Both versions are longer and taller than their predecessors, while wheelbases remain unchanged. 

This large, stylish car is a great option for those seeking an alternative to a crossover or SUV as their family car, as it offers premium looks, enormous interior space for five, refined luxury, cutting-edge technology, high-end performance, as well as a very generous amount of useful standard equipment at a competitive price. It is more than capable of holding its own against the premium German marques. 

My SportLine version is distinctive from all angles, sporting a bold black gloss front grill surround, narrow-styled headlights, front and rear sports bumpers, and contours giving the car an understated elegance, especially in the grey colour exterior, which shows off my car to perfection. The many aerodynamic features helped improve efficiency. Stylish 19-inch black alloy wheels add to the look. 

The luxurious interior has an uncluttered and spacious feel and some lovely 100 per cent sustainable materials. The SportLine grade includes black suede upholstery on the front sports seats, which have power adjustments, can be heated and ventilated, have lumbar support, and a massage function. The driver’s has 3-way memory seat settings. The dash is simple and stylish with the free-standing 13-inch infotainment touchscreen centre stage. It includes navigation, wireless smart link to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen is logical to work through, so no problems there. The 10.25-inch digital driver display is traditional in style with two dials and your current speed digitally displayed in the centre. The transmission selector has been moved to the steering column, freeing up space on the central console for storage, two cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and two USB-C type charging points along with another one at the mirror, and two more in the rear. 

The long wheelbase allows for good head and knee room in the rear with space to stretch feet under the front seats. The two outer rear seats can be heated. My car had hands-free boot opening and a generous 645 litres of luggage capacity that can expand to a huge 1,795 litres with rear seats folded. There's a safety net for shopping, and a 'skinny' spare below the floor. Those who require more luggage space can upgrade to the Combi estate with its 690-1,920 litres of luggage space for another €2,000. 

Trims are Selection, Selection+, SportLine, and L&K. The entry grade features keyless entry with an alarm and a power-operated boot door; Selection Plus adds heated and ventilated leather seats; SportLine adds Matrix LED headlights and its own interior styling pack, while L&K gets a sports chassis and a combination of luxury extras. Other features were a leather sports steering wheel with paddles, aluminium sports pedals, a drive mode select, 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, rear window wiper, blind spot monitors on the insides of side mirrors where you see them easily, a rear-view camera, hill hold control, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. 

My review car was the 2.0 TDI version with 150hp with a claimed 5.1 L/100kms fuel consumption, a top speed of 223 km/h, max torque of 360Nm and a 0-100km/h capability of 9.2 seconds. Road tax is €210. The diesel can also use HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil). There’s a new 1.5 TSI mild hybrid (mHEV) also with 150hp while the Combi range includes a 1.5TSI 204hp petrol/electric 6-speed plug-in-hybrid version. All new Superb models feature smooth DSG automatic transmissions. I could hardly believe how economical this diesel engine is and it comes with at least 1,200 km of range before refuelling is required. When I returned it a week later, there was almost the same amount left. Superb is a joy to drive, effortless really, very refined, and with plenty of punch in the diesel for overtaking or joining the motorway. Steering is neither too heavy nor too light, and the car has an 11.1 m turning circle. Occupants travel in sublime comfort front and back. Towing is 2,000kg braked; 750kg unbraked. The entry-level mHEV petrol is priced from €49,365; my 2.0 TDI diesel from €55,290.