Skoda Superb automatic hatch long-term test: simply clever but slightly squeaky

There’s also an umbrella stored in the driver’s door trim, and I still really value the clever parcel shelf storage area mentioned in my last report. It’s proving to be a great idea that can be used to separate stuff in the boot and stop it from rolling around. As a photographer I carry lots of water and car cleaning materials, and it’s a real bonus to stop these from moving in the boot.

One of my favourite features, though, can be found next to the roof light panel. It’s a USB-C power outlet integrated into the headlining, allowing you to power up a dash cam without trailing cables across the cabin. It’s, well… Simply clever.

Another neat feature is the powered tow bar, which you can retract at the touch of a button inside the boot. I haven’t towed with the Superb yet, but given the car’s power, handling and solid build, I expect it’s great for the job.

I’ve encountered a couple of minor niggles, though, which I’m going to ask the Skoda dealer to have a look at when the car goes for its first service in a few weeks’ time.

The most obvious is a squeaking noise from around the sat nav screen that is noticeable when the radio is turned down low. The other recent issue was that the remote key stopped working. I had to use the physical key to get in the car, but it also set off the alarm for what seemed like an eternity. Unfortunately, it was a Sunday morning, so I felt a little sorry for my neighbours. Luckily, I found a video on YouTube showing me how to replace the fob battery, which I was able to do without damaging it. The key didn’t need reprogramming, so it was an instant fix.