Skoda Superb Estate Pre Model Outdoor 2.0 TDI CR 4x4 5dr Car Review - May 2013

The two litre diesel engine has plenty of grunt to get the Superb moving quickly, with acceleration from 0-62mph in a swift 9.1 seconds, while the top speed of 135mph means it has more than enough pace to be comfortable on the motorway. The ride here is also very good for the most part, with suspension that deals with the majority of the lumps and bumps in the road, although it can get a little bouncy at slow speed. Handling in the Superb is also very good on the whole, with accurate steering and plenty of grip, although there is a little bit of roll while cornering at pace.

Getting comfortable in the driving seat is really straightforward, with the usual seat and steering wheel adjustment options, with the centre console controls simple and easy to use. Refinement in the cabin is also very good, with engine and road noise kept to a minimum, although there is a little suspension noise that can be heard on poor surfaces.

Probably one of the weaknesses for the Superb Estate is that the looks are a little less than superb, with the uninspiring design putting function at the heart of the package and looks a distant second. The long shape is reminiscent of the long Mercedes-Benz estates of around five years ago, but it does come with alloy wheels and body coloured roof bars to add to the overall look of the car.

The equipment included as standard with the 4x4 version of the car is fairly good, with Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors both included as a part of the clever electric systems within the car. It also enjoys plenty of security equipment to help keep the car safe from thieves, while the steering wheel also has a range of built in controls to help manage the audio and entertainment equipment without having to divert your attention from the road.

There is no doubt that this is a car which is designed for practicality, and it certainly succeeds in this effort, with a huge amount of space in the boot which can be further supplemented by folding the rear seats for a very large space. Passengers in the rear of the car will also find it very comfortable, with headroom and legroom both being very generous.

The car comes with a good range of safety equipment including stability control and seven airbags to look after driver and passengers alike, while a tyre pressure monitor is another innovative safety feature which helped the car achieve top marks in the Euro NCAP safety test. Skoda shares much of its technology with Volkswagen, and enjoys an excellent reputation for reliability which is likely to be continued by the Superb Estate.

Sitting in the middle of the Superb Estate price range at £27,605, this version of the car does offer a good balance, although for those who are unlikely to do too much towing may want to look at the cars without the 4x4 option. Running costs are fairly good with the two litre diesel engine delivering an average 44.8mpg, although the emissions do mean that tax is fairly expensive for the car.

Estate cars such as this are likely to be desirable on the resale market, while the 4x4 flexibility is likely to help make it even better at retaining its value. The Superb Estate is delivered with a reasonable on the road package of a three year or sixty thousand mile warranty, and also has a three year roadside assistance policy.