The updated 2018 Skoda Superb range has been detailed ahead of its release in Australian dealerships in September, with small price rises offset by more standard equipment across the local range, including equipment never seen before in Australian Skodas.
Having only been on the Australian market since March 2016, the 2018 updates for the Superb aren’t a full facelift, rather, some 2018 model year equipment and spec changes aimed at enhancing the car’s value equation and overall appeal.
The equipment changes for the 2018 model year were initially detailed in June, with Skoda announcing worldwide equipment changes, with markets to confirm the changes at their discretion. Now Skoda Australia have announced the changes to the lineup, including small price increases offset by added equipment for all grades, and the availability of Skoda’s hero colour, Dragon Skin, on the Sportline model.
Skoda have added much more equipment to the entry level Superb 162TSI, now starting from $40,690 plus on-road costs. Equipment additions include blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, traffic jam assist (which will brake and accelerate in traffic with the radar cruise control set), emergency assist (which automatically calls emergency services in the event of an accident when a phone is connected to the car) and a larger 9.2-inch infotainment system, which is the same system that we recently enjoyed in the Mk7.5 Volkswagen Golf.
Skoda claims that despite a price increase of $700, a total of $2,770 of extra value has been added to the 2018 Skoda Superb range with increased equipment levels. The majority of the options are chosen from the previous Tech Pack, and by making the equipment standard, Skoda can fulfil orders much quicker than before.
The 2018 Skoda Superb Sportline continues to sit atop the local range, and in addition to the equipment added to lesser models, also adds adaptive dampers, a hands-free electric tailgate operation, a premium Canton sound system, automatic parallel and 90-degree parking, an electrically adjustable front passenger seat and heated rear seats for a $4,800 price increase.
Given most of the equipment from the previously available optional Tech package is now standard, the only optional extras available on the Superb now are a $1,700 sunroof ($1,900 for the wagon, which is panoramic), $700 metallic paint and a new colour to the local range dubbed Dragon Skin – a deep metallic yellow that costs $1,700 and is only available for the Sportline models.
The Superb is somewhat of a quiet achiever for Skoda in 2017, who are enjoying their healthiest year of sales since relaunching in Australia in 2007. Overall sales are sitting on 2,505, which is up 6.5 percent year on year and Superb sales are up to 509 for the year – not huge in the overall market, but still up a significant 88.5 percent year on year. Superb sales in June, 123, were up a massive 123 percent year on year, again off a low base.
2018 Skoda Superb Australian pricing (plus on-road costs):
162TSI sedan: $40,690
140TDI sedan: $44,690
206TSI 4×4 sedan: $51,790
Sportline 206TSI 4×4 sedan: $56,790
162TSI wagon: $42,390
140TDI wagon: $46,390
206TSI 4×4 wagon: $53,490
Sportline 206TSI 4×4 wagon: $58,490
As with the wider Skoda range in Australia, Superbs are covered by a five-year unlimited km warranty, with five years of roadside assistance and six years of capped price servicing.
Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for news and reviews regarding the Skoda Superb.
