Skoda Superb Estate (2010-2015) review

The Skoda Superb is the firm's range-topping model and it certainly doesn't disappoint. Included in the keen value price-tag is a quality cabin with plenty of space for passengers and cargo as well as a comfortable and refined drive with an advanced engine line-up. There are four different trims to choose from and a wide variety of powertrains and transmissions but the biggest headline for this estate version is the amount of space on board. When the rear seats are folded it offers a class-leading 1,865 litres of space in the loading bay and even with the seats in place it still boasts and incredible 633-litre loading bay.

The Superb Estate range kicks off with a 1.4 TSI petrol engine with 123bhp. The unit is supercharged and turbocharged meaning it still delivers an impressive 0-62mph time of 10.6 seconds. If you're covering lots of miles the refined diesels are a good choice, particularly the 2.0 TDI 140 which delivers a great blend of performance and economy. However its not quite as quiet or smooth as the latest 148bhp engine in the VW Golf and smaller Octavia Estate.

Even the entry-level 1.6-litre diesel Greenline has enough torque to provide solid performance while the 4x4 3.6-litre petrol is thirsty but very fast, completing the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.5 seconds. The Superb Estate is no sports car but through corners it impresses with very little body roll and plenty of grip.

The Superb's most impressive asset is the comfortable ride which soaks up poor road surfaces and makes it a very relaxing cruiser on longer distance drives. Pick the DSG automatic gearbox and the Superb Estate is hard to beat when it comes to driver or passenger comfort.

The Superb is a big car but even so the latest batch of engines all return excellent fuel economy figures. All but the most powerful diesel model return an official figure of over 60mpg but the most frugal unit is the 1.6 TDI which claims a combined 61.4mpg.

In Greenline trim this number improves to 65.7mpg and a CO2 emissions figure of 113g/km which means a low annual road tax build. To keep running costs low avoid the 4x4 models, DSG automatic gearboxes and the crazy 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine. Other running costs should be relatively low though with cheap insurance and the option to extend the manufacturer warranty to five years for a small fee. Superbs also hold their value well and high-spec diesel versions fair particularly well on the used market.

Skoda and conservative styling go hand-in-hand, and the Superb Estate sticks to this formula. The facelift earlier this year added a corporate nose that mirrors the smaller Octavia, but while the straight edges and LED running lights look smart, there’s no real design flair. Overall, the Superb fits the generic estate car template perfectly.

Silver roof-rails come as standard on all models as does a powered tailgate. Entry-level 'S' models get a set of stylish alloy wheels and fog-lights included. The rear seats in the Superb boast limousine amounts of legroom thanks to an extended wheelbase. Interior quality is class-leading for this price bracket too. 

Inside, the dashboard looks neat and is well laid out, with a logical touchscreen and simple climate controls.

You’ll find plenty of high-grade plastics, plus the build quality can’t be faulted and the switchgear feels robust to use. There’s plenty of space for you to get comfortable, too, with a wide range of  seat and wheel adjustment for the driver.

This really is the Superb Estate's trump card. Boot space is an enormous 633-litres, which beats everything else in this class and most of the class above, including the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia and only the Mercedes E-Class estate comes close to offering the same loading capacity.

Best of all the rear seats fold down easily to free up 1,865-litres of load space. Also included is a rechargeable LED torch that sits in the boot, a powered tailgate and short umbrella that is stashed in the passenger door. There are a plentiful of cubbies dotted about the cabin and rear seat passengers get a massive amount of legroom although headroom will be a little tight for anyone over six feet tall.

The Superb has been a consistent front-runner in our Driver Power satisfaction surveys. It finished third in the 2014 poll, but that came after a first and two seconds in the preceding years. Owners are hugely satisfied with their cars, rating the Superb’s reliability, build quality, seat comfort and ease of driving highly. The only real issues are with its handling, but even then the Skoda gets a decent enough score.

And if problems do arise, the level of service you get from the brand’s dealerswill leave you completely satisfied.

In terms of safety, the Superb has a five-star Euro NCAP rating. However, it was tested in 2009 – back when the test wasn’t quite as demanding – so you can’t compare scores with the new Mondeo. However, the Superb is still a safe car, with seven airbags, cruise and stability control all standard, although tyre pressure monitors are a £115 option.