Performance
The 123bhp 1.4 TSI petrol engine isn t as slovenly as it sounds, but it will struggle to pull a heavy load. The pokier 158bhp 1.8 TSI is better. Don t go near the thirsty 256bhp 3.6 V6. The diesels will be popular, but we d avoid the rattly 104bhp 1.9. The 138bhp 2.0 has punch, but delivers it in one ungainly lump. The 168bhp version is more linear with its delivery of power, but more expensive.


Ride &amp; Handling
The Superb Estate has a soft suspension that makes it comfortable over poor road surfaces. It stays settled on the motorway, too, so it s a great cruiser. The soft ride means it feels a little wallowy through bends, but there s plenty of grip to make you feel secure in corners.


Refinement
The Superb isolates wind- and road noise really well, and the suspension stays quiet over bumps. Choose your engine carefully, though. Only the range-topping diesel is the latest generation common-rail diesel engine, so the other two units are older and noisier particularly the 1.9. The petrols are smooth and quiet, but you ll have to push hard with the 1.4.


Buying &amp; Owning
For an estate car of this size, the Superb is very cheap. What s more, you ll get a useful discount from the list price, and residual values are reasonable, too. The modern petrol engines and wide range of diesels mean all but the V6 give you decent fuel economy and CO2 outputs, and this will keep running costs at an affordable level.




Quality &amp; Reliability
Some people think of Skoda as Volkswagen s poor relation, but the Superb makes a mockery of that assumption. It has classy, soft-touch plastics on the surfaces you touch most frequently and the build feels impressively solid. Skoda also has an excellent record in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, so the mechanicals should prove hardy and long-lasting.


Safety &amp; Security
Stability control and twin front, side and curtain airbags are fitted as standard, plus there s a further airbag to protect the driver s knees. Top-spec cars get an intelligent lighting system that varies its beam pattern according to your speed and the type of road you re on. Security features are plentiful, and every model comes with an alarm.


Behind The Wheel
The Superb s dashboard lives up to the car s name. It s clutter-free, clearly labelled and simple to navigate. The ventilation system is also a breeze to use and the touchscreen stereo that you get on most models is one of the simplest systems we ve come across. Two-way steering-wheel adjustment and driver s seat-height adjustment are standard, so it s easy to make yourself comfortable.


Space &amp; Practicality
As you d expect, the boot is enormous in the Superb Estate. There are a range of hooks and lashing points to for extra practicality, and you can specify a sliding boot floor that extends over the rear bumper. It s a pity that the back seats aren t cleverer, because you get a stepped load area when you fold them down. As with the hatch, passenger space is enormous.


Equipment
S trim forms the entry point for Superb Estate buyers, and these cars come with all the basics alloys, air-conditioning, four powered windows, remote locking and a CD stereo with MP3 socket. Stepping up to SE trim provides alcantara upholstery, cruise and climate controls, a CD changer and parking sensors. Elegance trim adds sat-nav, xenon headlamps, leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers and Bluetooth.