I got my Skoda Superb Estate 1.4 TSI not long ago, and I bought it on purpose, believe it or not. I put it like that because it doesn’t seem to be many having the Superb with this engine in this forum. I thought I should share some of my initial thoughts on this superb car with a relative small engine.

First of all I have to say that you have to understand some of the background for my reasons for buying such this car with such a small engine. First of all, there is quite a heavy taxation on cars in Norway, and especially on cars with big engines. I bought my Skoda Superb Estate 1.4 TSI Elegance (SE) with the Bolero radio, leather electric powered seats, sunset, towing device, KESSY, park assist and a lot more. To buy this car in Norway, you have to part with about 52.000 €. Quite a lot of money compared with most, if not all, European countries. To buy the same car with the 140 TDI, you have to add about 5.000 €. With 170 TDI add 9.400 €. With the 160 TSI add 6.200 €. So there you have some really god reasons why you buy a small engine car in Norway.

The second reason I bought the car with this small engine, is that I tried it before I bought it. I was really, really impressed. At the time I had a Ford Focus Estate 90hp 1.8 TD. A good car when everything worked. I was skeptical trying a 1450 kg car with only 125hp and 200nm torque, but it actually was a huge improvement engine vice. And it drives like a diesel engine in many ways. Max torque is delivered at 1500-4000rpm and max hp at 5000. It’s quite impressive for such a small volume engine. In addition it does 0-100km/h in 10.6 seconds and that’s not bad either.

Of course I would like to have one of the other engines in it, but for me it was mainly economic reasons for this choice. And I haven’t regretted it. I mostly drive in town with the occasionally long trip with the four of us in the family and a lot of luggage. As I live in Norway, there is a lot of driving uphill and over mountains. Here I have to use the gear a lot more than I would if I had a 140 TDI engine. But it works. Generally it doesn’t feel underpowered as one might think when you drive it. It seems to suit the car nicely for my use. From 1500rpm it has an even and nice pull with almost no sound to speak of before you reach 3500-4000 rpm. In idle I almost can’t hear it. There isn’t much vibration from this engine and smooth to drive.

Sounds ok, but I wouldn't tow anything with it

................... As I live in Norway, there is a lot of driving uphill and over mountains.

You're not kidding! I've just been looking at some vids of Volvo lorries pulling doubles over the mountains and alongside the fjords! Some of the roads are really narrow as well.....mind you, the scenery was stunning! I think it was on the west coast. Good luck with the car!

Glad you are pleased with it, myself I think it's too big a shell for too small an engine, although I understand your reason's, just be shot of it when the 3yrs 60k is up.