Simply Superb

I’ve thumbed through the specification a hundred times, double and triple checked the price and still find it hard to believe that you can get so much car at this kind of value in any other catalogue. The Skoda Superb Combi (Estate) is a phenomenal motor car.  

Every Skoda that I have driven in the past three years has surpassed expectations. This one blows away all preconceived notions out of sight. I tested the incredible Elegance spec this week and just didn’t want to part with it.  

Firstly, I must admit that I am an Estate fan. I would much prefer a good estate to an MPV or an SUV. Secondly, I am also a Skoda fan and now I have found the near perfect vehicle for me.  

You won’t believe the huge space you get when you first look inside. Take a peek at the phenomenal space that translates into an enormous amount of legroom in the back particularly.

However, there is so much more to admire about this car and while the boot space doesn’t quite match the cabin for sheer volume, it is big enough for most families’ needs - 633 litres of luggage space and it will carry a lot more cargo when expanding to 1,865 litres with the seats folded. Throw in a combination of clever luggage nets and sliding aluminium partitions to secure both bulky and loose loads and you know Skoda has thought of everything down to a boot light that can be removed and doubles as a handy LED torch. 

It is driven by a Volkswagen 2.0-litre 170bp engine which is well-proven and needs no explanation. It has a top-class six-speed gearbox (DSG Automatic is an Option) which is well-spaced and offers good low torque and easy cruising at the higher end. Annual road tax for this car (Tax Band C) is just €302 with CO2 emissions of 155 g/km. 

Inside this car screams of quality. It comes with a complete leather package with highly polished wood panelling and the ambience of a top quality car. Both driver and front passenger seats are electrically controlled and all seats are heated.  

The base Surperb Combi alone comes with generous equipment levels with items such as dual –zone climate control, leather combination interiors, colour touch screen sound systems, BlueTooth phone connection and cruise control offered as standard from the middle of the range Ambition model.  

My test car, the top of the range Elegance adds satellite navigation, adaptive bi-xenon lights and a park assist system that will actually control the steering of the vehicle during tricky parallel parking manoeuvres. In fact it almost parks itself; all you have to do is select the right gear. The extensive safety package includes ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and seven airbags including a driver knee airbag are standard across the range. Skoda even supplies you with a handy umbrella, which is tucked into the rear door armrest.  

Frankly, I can’t remember when I got such complete satisfaction from a car that I got from having the Skoda Superb Combi in my life. Yes, there are more luxurious Tourers, Estates and Sports Wagons out there with more sought-after badges. Yes, others will offer you many of the goodies that the Superb offers. But, few offer the range of features as the Elegance version of this car. And, none will give it all to you at the price.

At €33,395, this is the best value family Estate on the market today. If you can live without some of the premium gadgets and settle for the base diesel model, all you will pay is €25,415. It really is superb, simply superb.