Range 

The Superb iV packs a 13kW battery which should give a pure electric range of up to 35 miles. With a full tank of petrol and the batteries topped up Skoda claims you’ll have a total range of 578 miles, which almost rivals some Superb diesel models. 

Remember that the 35-mile range is in perfect traffic and seasonal conditions though, and you should get 25 as an average. Like all plug-in hybrids, plugging in before and after every journey and using the preconditioning smartphone app (so you can set the cabin’s temperature while the car is plugged in) in winter months are the most economical ways of running the car. 

Battery

The bulky 13kW battery has been placed under the rear bench seat and in front of the rear wheels, which sounds great. And it is quite neat, but Skoda hasn’t been able to locate all the electric paraphernalia here though as some gubbins for the battery and electric motor still have to be stored under the boot floor. That means practicality has dropped (625- down to 485 litres for the Hatch and from 680 to 510-litres in the Estate) but Skoda has managed to free up some spare space under the floor, however. This is where the charging cables can be kept.  

Charging

Unlike the BMW 330e and the Volvo S60 T8 Twin Engine, the Skoda’s charging port is neatly integrated into the front grille. As it’s flush fitting, you really wouldn’t know the Superb was a plug-in hybrid – only geeks will recognise the small ‘iV’ badges on the tailgate that give the game away. Pop open the charging port and you’ll find a Type 2 input and as standard the Superb comes with two cables, including one you can plug into a domestic three-pin socket. The maximum charging rate is 3.6kW (a zero-to-80% charge takes three and half hours) which is slow by modern standards.