Hi,

 

I'm on the market to replace my current car (Model 3) and looking for something a bit larger for the family

Am nearly decided on a Skoda Superb iV Estate 2020 / 2021, and have a few questions before pulling the trigger.

 

Charging and EV mode:
I can charge for free at work and my commute is only 4 miles (8 miles round trip) so am hoping to be able to drive nearly all the time in pure electric and use the hybrid mode for long holiday trips and such (2 or 3 times a year about 1500km each).
How realistic is it to drive primarily electric all year long?
Does the car feel underpowered in EV mode? Spec says 116ps electric, not huge for a 1700kg car but will be mostly urban driving.
Does the car force the engine to start every X number of trips? e.g. to maintain / purge the fuel system
Will it prevent EV mode in winter cold weather, and below which temperature? (will use mostly in British mild weather region)?

 

Models:
Which is most recommended trim?
SE L worth it over SE Technology?
Looking at a 2020/2021 model about 60k miles for £16k but can push budget a bit if needed.

 

Maintenance:
Noted the DQ400e maintenance interval at 40k miles, so will keep an eye on that in service history.
Any other critical things to look out for?
Main known issues with this model?

 

Cheers

I get 24miles out of mine pure electric in the winter and 30+ in the summer.

 

it always defaults to ev only mode every time you start it, you have to select hybrid mode to get anything different.

 

its quite pokey in EV only mode, keeping grip can be the main issue when pulling out of junctions because of the torque.

 

in hybrid mode you get about 60miles of EV driving on longer trips eg 200miles, this is due to coasting and regerating.  It works best when using the cars satnav, if you use CarPlay etc it has no idea how far you’re going etc.

 

SEL defo worth it over SE, way more standard equipment.

 

Mine does random ghost charging occasionally that they haven’t go to the bottom of; it seems to be if I plug it in at night but go back for something in it later.

 

charging flap actuator sometimes sticks, spray silicon helps but sometimes they just need replacing.

 

it charges slow, but it’s fine if you just charge at home.

 

there is nothing on the market that can carry the amount of stuff that the superb can, I’ve tried a few different cars including a Discovery!

Passat gte here. Same platform but I have the older smaller battery variant.

On your commute distance it will just keep going and going on EV mode. It might start the engine now and then to clear the pipes but I have done 2200 miles without filling the tank before with no engine starting.

I've just got a 2020 and I love it. 

 

I work hybrid remote so 2 days driving to office about 20 miles away and 3 days gym and school run (about 9 miles) 

 

The home days are all electric. Moving to fully remote next year so expect majority of usage to be electric only.

 

It starts in EV only mode and on the days I'm in the office I drive EV until I get on the motorway then switch to hybrid mode on the slip road.

 

The car is fast with just the EV motor but like the guy above said I can wheelspin coming out of junctions if I'm a bit too heavy on the pedal.

 

In Sport mode it is something else! I know you probably won't be using it but it's pulls like a train.

 

I'm only getting 20 mile range atm off a full charge in winter. Or 20 on the dash anyway probably less once the aircon is on for demisting etc. 

 

I'd get one with travel assist if I could buy it again (with the button on steering wheel), as that incorporates most of the driver convenience options there are. And any that are not there you will have the tech to activate with obd11 or similar.

 

Can't believe this car is so cheap to buy. In love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks guys, appreciate all the responses.

Sounds like this car could indeed be a good fit for my use case.

I'll keep checking the market for both the Superb SEL and Passat GTE Advance 13kWh, looking to buy sometime in the new year.

Maintenance-wise, how much do you think should be factored in the budget say for year 5 to 8 ?

Rough plan is to purchase at 50,000 miles and replace at 100,000 miles

 

There was a recall to do with battery shielding from memory for a few MSNs, if you check the DVla website it will tell you.

 

you can pick up a service pack from Skoda, it’s £22pm and includes MOT, extended warranty is a bargain £550pa and includes Skoda assist.

 

only thing you should need is maybe springs and you might find one of the active dampers is on its way out, I think the dampers are £70 a corner.  Then it’s the usual bushings etc for the age.

Same as the folks mentioned above, 32 miles in summer, about 22 winter time. Power is not a concern, it really pulls (although maybe you're used to more hp on the M3). Charging is slow, but absolutely fine for the battery. I would say, with your budget, try and look for the L&K variant, I managed to get mine last year, 42k miles, 2020 for 19k so not too far off of your budget and prices feels like have fallen, so might be able to find a good LK example for under 18k. Heated and ventilated seats and 3 zone climate control is class.

As for maintenance and things to look out for, would say deffo see if 40k DSG has been done (I did it on mine, cost me £341, including new brake fluid etc directly from Skoda), Otherwise, get the all in plan, as it classifies, can read about it online, but effectively extended warranty - I got my infotainment replaced under it and didn't have to pay a penny (otherwise quote was 2k+). Final thing, when checking cars, check their software version, if 0156, its a bit hard to update, unless you go to dealer.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have!

 

Hope you don't mind me bumping this old thread.
I am also looking at getting a Superb IV and had a few questions.

Firstly I use speed limiter on my current car and love it, ACC sounds good but only on motorways. I've noticed there is no mode button on the stalk post facelift, is it easy to switch the mode and does it remember the chosen mode between journeys?

I also wondered if the climate windscreen is a useful addition? I really like having one on my Ford Focus but with the pre-heat function via the app, maybe this isn't needed?

I am surprised the reversing camera isn't standard, should I be looking for one or is the big car deceptively easy to park?

Thanks all, this forum has been very useful.

From mine (and my previous Kodiaq) I find the Skoda ACC one of the most user-friendly and intuitive systems I've tried, and not just for motorways. It's a license and stress saver on dual carriageways and traffic jams if you get DSG!

 

They're loooooong cars even in hatch form, doddle to park with the camera but personally wouldn't go without it if you have the choice. Makes it so much easier and there's also a washer so don't even have to worry about it getting dirty and unviewable.

 

I don't have a heated screen, but as you say if you use app preheat it's largely irrelevant - also avoids having front screen clear but sides iced or misted up!

On 06/02/2025 at 09:28, SimplyTim said:

Firstly I use speed limiter on my current car and love it, ACC sounds good but only on motorways. I've noticed there is no mode button on the stalk post facelift, is it easy to switch the mode and does it remember the chosen mode between journeys?
 

I have a 2020L&K iV, with ACC, and unless I've missed something in the last four years, it doesn't have a speed limiter.

It helps if people say which country they are talking about as far as their car, or what country the cars are in / sold in. 

Edited 12 February, 20251 yr by Ootohere

2 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

It helps if people say which country they are talking about as far as their car, or what country the cars are in / sold in. 

UK for me, if that helps.

Ah well, turns out I'm an idiot. My UK  2020L&K iV DOES in fact have a speed limiter as well as ACC, should, for posterity, anybody need to know.

 

All on page 120 of the manual. The only reading material in the car while waiting for the Mrs to finish shopping.

Thought I'd give an update on this as I finally found a car that met my requirements and bought it over the weekend.

 

Went for a Superb Estate iV SE-L, 21 plate, 47k miles, in pristine condition.

Excellent service history from a Skoda approved garage, all traced in the digital service record.

Brake+pads look barely used (benefits of regen?) and Bridgestone tyres all around with plenty of life in them.

Has most the options i was looking for: digital cockpit, electric heated/ventilated front and rear seats, 360 reverse camera (agree with SimplyTim, this should be standard) and rear seats release from the boot.

Hardware is H22, with 0330 software.

It has 19" Acamar wheels, not my initial preference but actually looks quite good as it matches the grey colour of the body and is still a very confortable ride.

Felt like I was gliding on the drive back from the seller!

 

The only thing I need to look into now is the DSG oil change doesn't appear to be done based on records, should have been at 40k so I'll try to do it asap.

What is the typical cost for this at a Skoda dealer?

 

Also asked Skoda online about cambelt interval, they said 15 years 180k miles, a bit surprised but if that's what they recommend then fine.

 

Finally, got the All-in plan for peace of mind over the next 2 years.

 

Thanks for the replies and hope to have a smooth exerience with my new (to me) car.

Have it booked in at Skoda for the DSG oil service next week.

They quoted £250, does this seem about right?

I think it’s that much just for the service kit so seems an ok price to me

https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/2465-genuine-vag-dsg-service-kit-for-dq250-6-speed-dsg-models.html

I have found 20 plate L&K for £17,600 but it didn't get serviced until 24k in 22, there after full main dealer service history.
The excuse is COVID made servicing challenging but I don't think the excuse matters.
I couldn't see anything in the "All In" servicing plan that would exclude me for using this. Does anyone know if I could still use this for extended warranty?
Do you think this would be a deal breaker or think missing the first service isn't the end of the world?