Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat: Mat Watson chooses his favourite SUV alternative

SUVs are the go-to choice for a lot of families, but they’re not the be-all and end-all of spacious, practical transport. Cars like the Volkswagen Passat and the Skoda Superb offer cavernous boots and palatial rear seats while also being hugely comfortable to drive.

But which of these two cars would I choose? Well I’ve reviewed both, and they each have their pros and cons. I’m going to compare the two on interior, technology, practicality and how they drive to deliver my expert verdict.

Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat: design and desirability

These two cars may not be quite as trendy as an SUV, but both are still handsome and classy.

Starting with the Passat, it has one obvious advantage over the Skoda if you want to uphold a posh image: a VW emblem. Badge snobbery aside, those slim headlights and the minimalist front grille make it look a bit like one of Volkswagen’s ID electric cars, and in R-Line trim it looks pretty sporty as well thanks to the larger alloy wheels and chunky side skirts.

It looks grown-up and premium, but it’s only available as an estate. If you’re after a sleeker-looking saloon shape, you’ll have to choose the Superb, although that car is also available as an etate. The Skoda also looks a bit more imposing than the Passat thanks to the larger grille.

It’s still a pretty understated design though, and there’s more than a whiff of undercover copper about it. In true Skoda fashion, the Superb is a smart-looking car which isn’t trying too hard to be trendy.

Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat: interior and practicality

The Volkswagen’s cabin is a lovely place to spend time. All the materials feel really solid and squidgy, and the seats are also really comfy. I like the snazzy ambient lighting on the dashboard as well – it’s very Mercedes-esque.

The car I tested had the optional massive 15.0-inch touchscreen (you get a 12.9-inch display as standard), and it’s pretty responsive and easy to navigate the various menus. I’m not a fan of the touch slider for the climate control though, because it’s a faff to use on the move.

Moving to the rear seats, there is loads of room to stretch out. Headroom is generous, and there’s more than enough space for even the tallest of adults to get comfy. That said, the Skoda’s rear seats offer even more legroom.

Speaking of the Skoda, I prefer the Superb’s interior overall. It’s not quite as posh-feeling as the Passat’s, but it’s really not far off and there are some clever features which help it stand out.

For starters, you get proper knobs on the dashboard. They’re called “Smart Dials”, and you can change their function by pushing them to scroll between the climate control, heated seats and media volume. They’re brilliant.

I also love the umbrella in the door card, the ice scraper in the fuel door and the rear seat phone mount to keep the kids quiet on long trips. It’s like Skoda has thought of everything.

For carrying stuff in the boot, these cars are evenly matched. Both the Passat and the Superb Estate offer a whopping 690 litres of boot space, and this drops to 645 litres in hatchback versions of the Skoda.

Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat: driving and comfort

These two cars are pretty much identical under the skin, so there’s not much between them in the way they drive. Both are more comfort-orientated rather than sporty, so if you’re after a family car which is fun to drive then a BMW 3 Series Touring is a better bet.

When fitted with the optional adaptive dampers, the Passat is sublime over the bumps. It’s a fantastic motorway cruiser as well, with minimal wind or road noise in the cabin, and around town you get good visibility.

The Skoda is also available with adaptive suspension, but it does still feel ever so slightly firmer over broken surfaces than the VW. You’d have to drive both cars back to back, and concentrate really hard, to notice the difference though.

For those of you who spend a lot of time slogging up and down the motorway, the Superb is available with a 2.0-litre diesel engine which will return up to 57mpg. There are no diesels on offer in the Passat, which could be a major factor in your decision-making process.

The Passat gets 1.5-litre petrol with 150hp. I don’t think this engine is that well-suited to the car if I’m honest because it’s not quite punchy enough, and the automatic gearbox can be slow to respond when you put your foot down. Still, at least it did an impressive 50mpg while I was testing it.

Both cars are also available with plug-in hybrid engines with around 80 miles of electric range, although you can’t get the Superb hatchback with this technology.

Skoda Superb vs Volkswagen Passat: price, deals and value for money

The Volkswagen Passat starts from just under £41,000, but you can save an average of £3,200 when you buy through Carwow at the time of writing. Leasing prices are also pretty competitive, starting from around £360 per month over four years.

The Skoda Superb Estate starts from a shade over £38,000, or you can have the hatchback for less than £37,000. Average savings of around £5,000 are available for both through Carwow at the time of writing, making them even better value. Leasing prices start from around £330 per month over four years on either bodystyle.

So what do you get for your cash? Well the Superb comes with heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, wireless smartphone mirroring and a wireless phone charger as standard.

The Passat comes with a massage function for the front seats on entry-level cars, but you have to pay extra for heated seats. Beyond this, it comes with pretty much the same level of kit as the Skoda.

Mat’s verdict: should you buy the Skoda Superb or the Volkswagen Passat?

There’s a lot to like about the Volkswagen Passat. It’s super-comfortable to drive, well-made inside and practical, plus that VW badge on the nose gives it some additional kudos.

However, the Skoda Superb is even more practical, very nearly as good to drive and comes with the option of a diesel engine. I also prefer the interior layout, which means there’s only one conclusion.

Winner: The Skoda Superb

If it were my money, I’d buy the Skoda Superb. It’s a fantastic all-rounder, and proves you don’t really need an SUV if you want something spacious, well-equipped and relaxing to drive.

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