By Mat Watson

July 2003

How times have changed. Ten years ago, I would rather have caught the bus than be seen at the wheel of a Skoda - but not these days. Now I'm happy to take the keys to one of the Czech cars, especially our long-term Superb. But this change of heart isn't due to me growing less vain with age. It's down to the quality of the models that Skoda is producing under the VW Group's stewardship.
And GK52 XKL is a perfect example. The Superb draws a surprising amount of admiring glances, and not only from older motorists who appreciate solid build, practicality and value for money. Young drivers like it, too. When a teenage mechanic saw me getting out of the car, he said: "Wow, that's a Skoda Superb isn't it? It looks fantastic. Kind of like a big Passat, only better. I'd love one."
Maybe it was the 17-inch, five-spoke alloys that first drew his attention. They certainly help make the Superb seem more expensive than it is - but up close they're not so attractive. London's tall kerbs and some careless parking have resulted in scuffs in the metal on all but one of the wheels.
Inside, the Skoda is also suffering from wear and tear. When the car first arrived, everyone liked the ivory interior, but some of the Auto Express team pointed out that it would soon get grubby - and they were right. Dirty hands have left their mark on the light upholstery, while the lower door plastics are peppered with shoe scuffs.
But these are minor niggles, and everyone who's driven the Superb has been impressed with its cabin space, solidity and good looks. The roomy interior was invaluable when news editor Richard Yarrow recently became a dad, as the huge boot easily swallowed all the paraphernalia first-time parents need to carry. What's more, the large cabin made it easy to get junior in and out of his safety seat.
Despite the Superb's size, its perky 1.8-litre 150bhp turbocharged engine provides reasonable pace without feeling stressed. On the move, the Skoda is extremely quiet and this, plus an abundance of low-down torque, makes for a relaxed drive. The car is set up for comfort and, although composed most of the time, the chassis shows its limitations on fast, twisting roads. Nevertheless, the Superb is excellent on motorways, and the cruise control system is useful for long journeys.
This isn't the only optional extra our car comes with, either. It also has an electric sunroof and sat-nav - although the latter has been temperamental. For some strange reason, when you choose to use a motorway for any part of your trip, the system directs you off it at the first opportunity. We think this is probably caused by a software problem, and will have it checked by Skoda.
But of all the car's additional kit, it is the parking sensors which have earned the most praise, because they make slotting the large saloon into tight spaces easy. Overall, the Superb lives up to its name. Not only is the car practical and good value for money, it's also stylish enough to win over the most hardened badge snobs.

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