Skoda Superb hatchback (2008-2015) - MPG, running costs & CO2

Skoda Superb diesel engines

The most efficient model is the GreenLine III version of the 1.6-litre TDI diesel. It's lighter than the normal Skoda Superb and uses a range of features including low-friction tyres to boost fuel economy. It's claimed to return 65.7mpg and emits 113g/km of CO2, meaning it costs just £30 a year in road tax. It's worth bearing in mind that the fuel-saving features used, such as the lowered suspension and low-friction tyres, make the ride less comfortable.

With that in mind, we'd recommend one of the two 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines. When paired with a manual gearbox, the 138bhp version returns 61.4mpg and emits 119g/km of CO2, for a £30-a-year road tax bill. Order the same model with a DSG automatic gearbox and economy drops to 54.3mpg, while emissions rise to 135g/km. The figures get slightly worse again if you choose a four-wheel-drive model.

Unusually, there's virtually no difference in running costs between the 138bhp version and the more powerful 168bhp car, but the latter is obviously going to be a bit faster. That extra power makes it the best all-rounder for drivers who spend lots of time on motorways, towing or transporting the whole family.

Although these figures aren't the lowest in the class, they're respectable, and if you drive carefully you should be able to match them in real-world driving.

Skoda Superb petrol engines

If you don't cover lots of miles every year, a Skoda Superb petrol could make more sense, as they're generally cheaper to buy. The entry-level 1.4 TSI only has 123bhp, but feels faster than you'd expect and still manages to return a respectable 47.9mpg and emit 138g/km of CO2. The more powerful 1.8-litre model will struggle to achieve 40mpg and will cost £180 a year to tax.

Generally low CO2 emissions mean that Skoda Superb company car tax is reasonable. In fact, the Superb is such good value that its Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate is comparable with the smaller Ford Mondeo.

Insurance group

Insurance costs are rock-bottom for the Superb (the 1.6-litre TDI model is in group 17), plus Skodas usually hold their value well. Over three years and 36,000 miles, the Skoda Superb is predicted to retain 42% of its original price. That's better than a Ford Mondeo or BMW 3 Series, which retain roughly 40% of their value. However, you can expect a 1.4-litre petrol Superb to lose far more of its value than a 1.6 or 2.0-litre diesel car.

Warranty

All Skodas come with a three-year warranty that covers you for unlimited mileage over the first two years and extends to the third year as long as you haven't covered more than 60,000 miles. It's no match for Kia’s industry-leading seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, but it's a useful safety net nonetheless. Skoda lets you extend the warranty to five years or 100,000 miles at extra cost. The manufacturer also throws in a 12-year body protection warranty.

Servicing

You'll need to get your Superb serviced every 12 months or 10,000 miles – whichever comes first – and Skoda offers a fixed-price service plan. For an up-front cost of £529 when you buy the car, Skoda will cover all servicing for the first three years.