Skoda Octavia vs Superb – which is best?

These two models are known for their class-leading practicality, satisfying driving experience and impressive value for money versus rivals from popular German brands.

Both of these cars represent the best of Skoda, and you’re guaranteed a fantastically capable car whichever you pick. We’ll compare them in-depth so you know which is the best one for you.

Skoda Octavia vs Superb compared

Styling

Skoda is typified by its smart, if slightly conservative design language. Both the Superb and Octavia come with slim headlights and a wide, chrome-lined grille. The bodywork has subtle creases and both have a big glass area. Most models are restrained and elegant.

If you want to swap some of that restraint for raciness, the Octavia and Superb both offer a SportLine trim with big wheels, black trim and a more sculpted bumper design. There’s also the Octavia vRS, which has even more sporty styling and a powerful petrol engine.

Interior

We love Skoda’s current interior designs. They’re high-tech but user-friendly, durable yet with just enough soft-touch areas and considered material choices to avoid feeling cheap. That being said, the most recent Superb has upped the stakes in material quality – it’s the poshest-feeling Skoda we’ve ever sat in.

The current Superb gains a 13-inch touchscreen, which has been thoroughly overhauled versus older systems – with ultra-sharp graphics, a greater focus on ease-of-use and configurable shortcut icons. You’ll also find this screen in new 2024-on Octavias, while previous cars have a similar screen that’s smaller but still contains most of the important functions.

The Superb debuts clever multifunction ‘smart dials’, which scroll like normal dials but can also be pressed for different controls. The Octavia, meanwhile, makes do with touch controls for the climate functions, which are a little less easy to use while driving.

Dimensions and practicality

Climb into the Octavia’s rear seats and you couldn’t possibly expect a car to offer more. For something based on the Volkswagen Golf, the Octavia has far more legroom. Unless you’re really, really tall, there’s no chance of you brushing your knees on the seatbacks.

But the longer Superb is even more spacious – it’s a proper luxury limousine with vast excesses of space.

Buy these models as an estate and the Superb offers the biggest boot of any wagon on sale, at 690 litres. But the Octavia estate isn’t far behind at 640 litres. Both will swallow a vast quantity of rucksacks and suitcases, or a whole mothers’ meeting of prams. 

Engines

Until 2024, the Octavia was offered with an entry-level 1.0-litre petrol engine – which is far more capable of getting the big Octavia up to speed than it sounds. Then there’s a 1.5-litre petrol with 150hp, and a 265hp 2.0-litre petrol in the vRS. There’s still a diesel engine, even in brand-new Octavias, and until recently there was a plug-in hybrid featuring a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an EV range of about 35 miles.

Most of these engines are also available in the Superb, where the 265hp petrol range-topper is available on high-spec cars and comes with four-wheel drive. There’s also a 204hp version of the 2.0-litre petrol, and a 193hp diesel with four-wheel drive. The latest Superb only comes with an automatic gearbox, and the new plug-in hybrid model packs a massive battery for an 80-mile electric range.

Value

The Octavia is the clear winner here, with prices for new cars starting at under £30,000. A vRS range-topper is around £40k. The Superb, meanwhile, kicks off at around £40,000, and you can spend up to £50,000 on a Superb before options if you’re really inclined.

Paying extra for the Superb gets you a bit more legroom and boot space, as well as plusher interior trim and a more refined driving experience. The Octavia isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but the Superb is a bit more luxurious and a bit quieter on the motorway.

Skoda Octavia video review

Skoda Superb video review

Which is best?

While the Superb is a slightly more talented vehicle and truly opulent-feeling, we can’t ignore the value of an Octavia. You’ll get a newer and lower-mileage Octavia for your budget, and it still has acres of space for people and clutter. However, if you can stretch to a Superb, you’ll get a top-drawer motorway cruiser and one of our favourite cars currently on sale.

Read our Skoda Octavia review and Skoda Superb review for more info, or shop used Skoda Octavia and used Superb cars for sale if you’ve made up your mind.