Salon ŠKODA Superb: what are Czech engineers hiding behind the luxurious interior?

Salon Škoda Superb It is not just a space for the driver and passengers, but a well-thought-out ecosystem where every centimeter works for comfort. The Czech flagship has long outgrown the status of a “big family car” and today competes with premium sedans in terms of trim and technological performance. But what really lurks behind leather seats and chrome-plated inserts? Why are the owners divided into two camps: those who admire ergonomics and those who scold plastic on torpedoes?

In this article we will look at the salon Superb to the cog: from the quality of materials in the basic configuration to hidden functions of the multimedia system, which will not be told in the cabin. You will learn which parts start to creak after 50,000km, how to set up climate control for maximum efficiency and why. The seats with massage function in the top version have a limit on the working time (20 minutes) It's not a bug, it's a feature from the manufacturer. Ready for a fair trial?

Finishing materials: what really stands behind “premium”?

The first thing that catches your eye when landing in Superb It is a combination of soft plastic, leather (or its substitutes) and metallized inserts. But not everything is as smooth as it seems in the photos of dealers. Let’s see where the Czech manufacturer has saved and where it has delivered quality components.

Standard Ambition floor-piece "Titan" with artificial leather inserts. At first glance it looks presentable, but after a year of active operation, the fabric begins to "scuffle" on the side surfaces of the seats. Here's the version. Style leather-in-the-skin "Nappa" with perforation - there are no claims to wear resistance, but for this luxury you will have to pay a minimum 250,000 rubles.

• 🔍 Plastic on the dashboard: The top of the panel uses soft plastic with a texture "under the skin", but the bottom and the central tunnel is hard plastic that creaks in frosts below -15°C.
• 🛋️ SeatsSide support in the basic versions is weak (suitable for a quiet ride), and in the Sportline reinforced sidewalls and electric drive of the lumbar support are added.
• 🌡️ Decorative insertsAluminum elements look stylish but heat up in the sun and can burn your fingers in summer.

The steering wheel deserves special attention. In top versions, it is covered in leather with stitching and is heated, but the multimedia control buttons are made of glossy plastic, which quickly becomes covered with scratches. Interesting fact: in the restyled version of 2023, the buttons were made matte - this is a direct confirmation that the manufacturer took into account the complaints of the owners.

Ergonomics and space: why is the Superb called “flying business class”?

One of the key advantages Škoda Superb - this is space. With a body length of 4.9 meters, the interior offers 1,010 mm rear legroom (more than Audi A6) and a trunk volume of 660 liters (1,950 liters with seats folded). But numbers are numbers, but how does it work in practice?

The driver's seat is set up almost perfectly: the steering wheel is adjustable for reach and tilt, the seat has an electric drive in 8 directions (in top versions). However, there is a caveat: the armrest is too narrow, and the driver's elbow constantly slides off when actively steering. But the rear sofa is pleasing: three full-fledged seats with separate headrests and the ability to adjust the backrest angle (in the version L&K).

Parameter	Škoda Superb	Audi A6	Volvo S90
Rear legroom (mm)	1 010	930	960
Trunk volume (l)	660	530	500
Steering wheel adjustment	Reach + tilt	Reach + tilt	Reach + tilt + telescopic
Heated seats	Front + rear (optional)	Front + rear (standard)	Front + rear + heated armrests

Interesting detail: in version with panoramic roof Panoramic Sunroof rear passengers may not have enough headroom - if you are taller than 185 cm, your head will rest against the ceiling. But in a sedan without a panoramic roof this is not a problem. It's also worth noting that the cup holders at the front are located too close to the gearshift lever, causing tall bottles (eg 0.75L) to interfere with gear changes.

⚠️ Attention: In versions with virtual dashboard Virtual Cockpit The sun visor may reflect glare onto the screen, making it difficult to read in sunny conditions. The solution is to adjust the angle of the visor or use polarized glasses.

Multimedia and electronics: hidden functions that dealers are silent about

System Columbus (or Amundsen in basic versions) is the brain of the cabin Superb. But most owners use only 30% of its capabilities. For example, did you know that in the climate control settings you can activate the "Pure Air", which automatically turns on recirculation when high levels of air pollution are detected?

Another hidden feature is the voice assistant. Laura. He can not only make calls or play music, but also control seat settings (for example, command "Laura, turn on the back massage"). However, to do this, you must first store the seat position in memory. But what really disappoints is the speed of the system. For example, loading navigation maps after starting the engine takes up to 45 seconds, which is critical for those who are used to driving straight away.

• 🎵 Sound: Available with audio system Canton (12 speakers) there is a hidden equalizer - to activate it, you need to hold the button MODE on the steering wheel for 5 seconds.
• 📱 Wireless CarPlay: Works only with iPhone 8 and later, but to connect you need to first connect your phone via USB and then activate wireless mode in the settings.
• 🔋 Wireless charging: Only supports Qi-enabled phones up to 5W (Samsung S22 charges, iPhone 14 does not).

One of the most controversial solutions is the touch-sensitive climate control buttons. They look futuristic, but in practice they distract from the road: to change the temperature, you need to look at the panel, as there is no tactile feedback. In the restyled version of 2023, backlit buttons were added, but the problem remained.

Climate control: how to set the ideal microclimate?

Three-zone climate control Climatronic in Superb - this is a separate topic for discussion. The system can maintain different temperatures for the driver, front passenger and rear seats, but many owners complain that the air is distributed unevenly. It's all about the wrong settings.

The first thing you need to do is activate the mode "Auto" and calibrate the sensors. To do this:

1. Close all windows and doors.
2. Set the temperature to 22°C for all zones.
3. Press and hold the button AUTO 5 seconds - the system will enter calibration mode.
4. Wait 2 minutes (the display will show "Calibration").

After this, the climate control will work more accurately. But there are a few more life hacks:

• ❄️ To quickly cool the interior in summer, turn on the "Max A/C" and open the windows for 30 seconds - this will expel the hot air.
• 🌬️ If there is blowing in your feet, check the position of the dampers in the menu Settings → Climate → Air distribution.
• 🚗 In the version with a panoramic roof, turn on the additional fan for rear passengers in summer (button under the armrest).

⚠️ Attention: If the climate control starts blowing warm air while the air conditioner is on, check the refrigerant level. B Superb used R1234yf, and its leakage is a common problem after 80,000 km. The cost of refilling is from 6,000 rubles.

Hidden interior problems: what breaks after 100,000 km?

Despite the German quality (and Škoda now part of the group Volkswagen), salon Superb has several “childhood diseases” that appear after 100,000 km. Here are the most common:

Problem	Reason	Repair cost
Plastic creaking on the dashboard	Wear of fasteners and changes in geometry due to temperature changes	From 3,000 rub. (silicone treatment)
Seat heating failure	Burnout of heating elements or oxidation of contacts	From 8,000 rub. for one seat
Odor from air ducts	Bacterial growth in the air conditioner evaporator	From 2,500 rub. (cleaning + antibacterial treatment)
Electric seats do not work	Worn gears or control unit	From 15,000 rub.

The most annoying problem is failure of the climate control touch buttons. Over time, they stop responding to touch due to wear on the contact tracks. Official repairs cost 25,000 rubles, but many owners solve the problem themselves by gluing a special conductive film to the buttons (cost: 500 rubles).

Another point is the wear and tear of the leather steering wheel trim. In versions with a heated steering wheel, the leather cracks after 3-4 years due to constant temperature changes. The solution is to use a cover or replace the steering wheel with a new one (the original costs 45,000 rubles).

Why do the seats squeak?

The creaking appears due to wear on the guide rails or drying out of the lubricant in the adjustment mechanism. For a temporary solution, you can use silicone lubricant (for example, WD-40 Specialist), but a radical solution is to replace the guides (from 12,000 rubles per side).

Salon comparison: Superb vs competitors (Audi A6, Volvo S90, Passat)

On paper Škoda Superb looks no worse than its premium competitors, but how does it perform in real use? Let's compare the key aspects:

• 🛋️ Seat comfort: Volvo S90 leads the way thanks to its orthopedic shape and massage with 5 modes. Superb loses on long trips due to insufficient lateral support.
• 🎛️ Ergonomics of control: Audi A6 has better tactile feedback from the buttons, and the touchscreen is Superb Sometimes it "glitches" in bright sunshine.
• 🌡️ Climate control: B Passat it is easier to operate (physical buttons), but Superb benefits from the three-zone system.
• 📀 Multimedia: Volvo offers integration with Spotify and Tidal "out of the box", and in Superb To do this you need to install crawlers.

Main advantage Superb - this is price/quality ratio. For the same money as the basic one Audi A6, you get a car with a large interior, a panoramic roof and leather seats. But if a premium finish is critical for you, then Volvo S90 or BMW 5-series will be the best choice.

Interior care: how to maintain a “new” look for years?

Salon Škoda Superb requires regular maintenance, especially if the machine is operated in urban mode. Here are proven recommendations from owners with over 200,000 km:

1. Cleaning leather and plastic:

• For natural leather use Leather Honey (RUB 1,200) - it not only cleans, but also restores the structure of the material.
• Clean plastic with a product Sonax Plastic Cleaner (500 rubles), but avoid getting multimedia on the screen - it is covered with an oleophobic layer.
• To remove odors, use an ozonizer (rent - 1,500 rubles/day) or carbon absorbers (Filtrbox, 800 rub.).

2. Wear protection:

• Install aluminum pads on the pedals (Lloyd Mats, 3,500 rub.) - they will prevent the rubber pads from abrading.
• Treat the armrest and gear knob with protective film 3M Scotchgard (RUB 1,000) - this will prevent the appearance of polished areas.
• Use only textile rugs with high pile (WeatherTech, 5,000 rub.) - rubber ones begin to smell over time.

3. Prevention of electronics:

• Once a year, clean the climate control button contacts with alcohol to prevent them from failing.
• If the multimedia screen starts to slow down, reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
• To prevent battery discharge in winter, turn off the heated seats 5 minutes before stopping the engine.

⚠️ Attention: Never use alcohol-based products to clean the multimedia screen - this will destroy the anti-reflective coating. The best option is napkins Zeiss for optics (200 rub.).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the Škoda Superb interior

Is it possible to install Audi A6 seats in the Superb?

Technically yes, since the platform MLB general. But you will need to reflash the seat control unit (cost from 15,000 rubles), since the connectors and data exchange protocols are different. In addition, in Audi a different heating system is used and will have to be adapted. In most cases, it is easier to purchase additional options from an official dealer.

Why doesn't the Superb have ventilated seats like its competitors?

This is a conscious decision Škoda to reduce the final price. Ventilated seats require additional fans and ductwork, which increases production costs. Perforated leather is available as an alternative on top versions "Nappa" with improved breathability. Some owners install ventilated seats themselves (a kit from Ventilated Seat Kit costs 45,000 rubles).

How to disable automatic dimming of mirrors when driving in reverse?

This feature is enabled by default for security reasons, but can be disabled:

1. Go to Settings → Lighting → Mirrors.
2. Select an item "Automatic dimming".
3. Uncheck "When driving in reverse".

Please note: this item may be hidden in some firmware versions. In this case, a software update will be required from your dealer.

What kind of oil should I put in the DSG-7 gearbox in Superb?

For 7-speed gearbox DSG DQ200 (installed on versions with 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TSI engines) oil is officially recommended VW G 052 182 A2 (6 l). The replacement interval is every 60,000 km, but for aggressive driving it is better to reduce it to 40,000 km. Using non-original oil (for example, Liqui Moly DSG) may cause jerking when changing gears.

Can a Superb with a panoramic roof have curtains?

Yes, but only original ones from Škoda (art. 5E6 875 201/202, price - 18,000 rub. per set). Universal curtains are not suitable due to the non-standard shape of the glass. Installation takes 20 minutes and requires no drilling. An alternative is tinting the panoramic roof with film LLumar Air80 (passes 80% of light, but blocks UV rays).