Skoda Superb Estate

Expert Rating:

What is it?

The Superb Estate is, of course, the load-lugging version of Skoda's biggest and most opulent car. To refresh you, the Superb is ostensibly a saloon, but because of its clever twin-hinged boot it's actually a hatchback. That makes it one of the most practical cars a reasonable budget can buy. So imagine adding even more space by grafting a big box onto the back?

Is it any good?

Oh yes. The combination of quality, functionality and cost served up by the Estate is, we think, unparalleled. Honestly, somebody in product planning at VW Group must be in hot water right now, because this 'budget' flagship is one of the most impressive cars in the group's entire brand catalogue; someone's dropped a 'product synergy' ball with this one.

It's not the most exciting car in the world (though it does look better in the metal than in pictures), but it's just so difficult to fault. Every surface from the glove box and grab handles upwards is finished with a beautifully soft coat, and the whole car is bolted together with steely VW precision. And we mean that in the actual sense - not in a 'good for a cheap Passat' sort of way. The cabin might not be the last word in visual flair, but it's clear, logical and very classy.

And then there's the fact that a pair of six-footers could occupy the front chairs but still leave room for a pair of seven-footers in the back. And, assuming the four of them are big Happy Days fans, a full-scale jukebox could still be dropped into the 633-litre boot. By comparison, an Insignia Tourer has 540 litres, and with the seats down the Czech will stretch its capacity to a gargantuan 1,865 litres.

All that would be fairly moot if the drive wasn't up to scratch, but it is. In estate guise the Superb gets a bolstered chassis to compensate for the extra bulk, as well as fettled suspension for the same reason. You wouldn't notice though, because like the hatch the ride is peanut butter smooth (not the crunchy stuff, obviously), with an ability to nonchalantly cruise over road imperfections. It's a car more suited to comfort, yet unsurprisingly for a car with top-notch ergonomics and, well-sorted suspension and a sharp steering rack, the Superb Estate feels smaller than it is behind the wheel.

Should I call the bank manager?

Your bank manager is the first person you should call, because he's probably already got one on order. Then you should call everyone you know that owns a Passat Estate to offer your condolences. The Superb might not have the badge kudos of the VW, but in every way it's the more convincing car: it's bigger, more stylish (to our eyes), every bit as well built, uses the same engines, yet is much cheaper. And that's not to the detriment of equipment either. Even in basic S form the Superb gets 16-inch alloys, manual climate control and a chilled glovebox. SE spec is probably everything you'll need, adding an inch to the rims, dual-zone climate, a touch screen interface for the stereo, parking sensors and a whole bunch more. Top spec Elegance is positively loaded.

The engines should be familiar by now: for the black pump there's a 1.9-litre TDI with 105bhp, a 140bhp PD TDI and a 170bhp common rail TDI. We drove the latter most thoroughly and, having sampled the other two in different applications, we'd say it'll prove the pick of the entire range. There's a powerful swell of torque from very low in the rev range (258lb.ft from 1,750rpm), which makes it rapid and adept at handling heavy loads. The clatter that accompanies the less powerful (and older) PD 140 unit is greatly reduced too, so it's more enjoyable to rev.

Petrol power comes from 1.4- and 1.8-litre TSI units and a 3.6-litre V6 with 260bhp. A six-speed manual sending power to the front axle is standard but you can opt for a seven-speed DSG automatic and four-wheel drive.

Summary

The estate version of the Superb serves up quality and space in such large measure that it's impossible not to be impressed. And that's before you find out how much it costs: the premium over the hatch will only be around £1,300, which means an SE spec 170 bhp TDI will be under £22,000 when it goes on sale early next year. That's all the car you'll ever need right there - for the price of a mid-level Audi A3. Cracking stuff.

Mark Nichol