Review of the new Skoda Superb TDI Range

Depending on your company circumstances, you could well feel that you're more likely to win the lottery than end up running an Executive car.

This could be because your corporate situation is rather limited or it might be because there's rather a stingy accountant downstairs. Either way, your options on company transport - at best - are likely to be limited to something from the familiar Mondeo/Vectra/Laguna Medium Range Family class. Unless you can inveigle yourself into a Skoda Superb of course, a BMW 5 Series-sized saloon for medium range money - or at least that's the idea.

We're talking company car-talk here because the vast majority of Superb sales are financed through corporate cheque books. But that's not to say that this isn't also an impressive alternative if you're shopping around from the family bank account. If that's the case, then versatility will probably be key and one drawback of this Czech contender is that it only comes in a single four door saloon bodystyle.

Mind you, there's not too much else to criticise, especially in the TDI diesel-powered form we examine here. There are three engine options, all borrowed from the fifth generation VW Passat, with four cylinder turbocharged units boasting 115 or 140bhp and a super-smooth V6 TDI powerplant with 160bhp. In fact, you could reasonably argue that the whole car is borrowed from the fifth generation VW Passat: underneath the skin, there aren't too many differences and Skoda are quite open about the fact that the Superb is broadly based on a stretched long wheelbase mkV Passat that was originally developed for the Chinese market. The latest models have received a more imposing grille and indicators embedded in the wing mirrors.

In the UK, Skoda's importers have pitched this car at highly affordable levels: take the Classic 2.0-litre TDI 140 variant at £16,010, also offered in Comfort form at £17,410. This, rather than the entry-level TDI PD 115 version, is likely to be the strongest seller. At the top of the range, the entry-level Classic-speced 2.5 V6 TDI at £17,640 comes in well below the equivalent Passat, so much so that you may feel that you can stretch to the Comfort, Elegance or L&K versions. All models come with the Tiptronic automatic gearbox.

"An astonishing 90% of Superbs will be sold at prices below £18,000. …"

But here we're getting into fairyland. Skoda know very well that the number of people prepared to pay more than £18,000 for one of their cars is extremely limited - which is why an astonishing 90% of Superbs will be sold at prices below that level. Half the models in the line-up, in other words, will hardly ever find UK customers. Such are the problems of battling with an embarrassing past.

Move inside and the first thing that strikes you is the quality of the trim, which features wood on plusher versions. I remember laughing the first time I saw wood in a Skoda (an after-market package fitted to a Felicia many moons ago) but there's nothing remotely funny about this. Adorning the dashboard and the doors, the dark timber is tasteful and Germanic. There's also a redesigned dashboard configuration on all trim levels and the instruments clusters are backlit with very gentle white light.

Sadly, the boot capacity is no different to an ordinary mkV Passat's (462 litres) but you can at least extend it by using the easily-to-operate split-folding rear seats. It's even possible to fold the front passenger's seat flat for particularly long items. If you want to go further, you'll be wanting an estate - but there are no plans for one: yet.

For the driver it's all very plush, thanks to a multi-function steering wheel that adjusts for both rake and reach. Four trim levels are being offered - Classic, Comfort, Elegance or Laurin & Klement - and all include all-round electric windows, air conditioning with additional vents for the rear seats, power mirrors, remote central locking and a CD player. Go for the Elegance and you can expect to find xenon headlamps, a premium CD stereo system, an electric sunroof, climate-controlled air conditioning, 17" alloy wheels leather trim, satellite navigation and electric seats with a memory function. The top L&K are named after Skoda's founders and models move the car further upmarket.

You shouldn't expect a particularly involving driving experience from the Superb. Still, most buyers will find the ride to be truly excellent thanks to Skoda's careful tweaking of the four-link strut and torsion beam suspension. It's certainly difficult to imagine anyone getting out of shape in one, particularly as ESP Electronic Stability Control is standard.

The Superb is a sensible buy - there's no getting away from that, provided you don't much care about an involving driving experience and the versatility of five doors. And it gets even more sensible in TDI guise. If you're buying in the medium range sector and really rather wishing you could afford something larger, then you can't afford to ignore it.

TOP 4 SUPERB DEALS

The results below show the top SUPERB deals on buyacar

Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 170 Elegance 5dr DSG diesel estate
Price £23,528 Read Superb Reviews	Save £3,917
Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 170 Elegance 4X4 5dr diesel estate
Price £23,649 Read Superb Reviews	Save £3,946
Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 170 Elegance 5dr DSG diesel hatchback
Price £21,707 Read Superb Reviews	Save £4,478
Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 170 Elegance 5dr diesel estate
Price £22,467 Read Superb Reviews	Save £3,668
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