Skoda Superb review

What's the connection between NASA and the Skoda Superb? Well, it's obvious when you think about it: they both know a thing or two about space.

You see, the Superb is galactic inside. Now, no one’s pretending it has enough room for a moonwalk, but you and your passengers can certainly stretch out while orbiting London on the M25.

All your questions will be answered soon, but before we lift off, there’s one more thing on the checklist. Did you know we can save you a fortune on your next new car? Just head to the free and easy-to-use What Car? New Car Buying service to start the countdown to a great, hassle-free deal. It has lots of compelling Skoda Superb deals.

If you fancy a petrol engine, the entry-level 148bhp 1.5 TSI 150 is surprisingly punchy, with enough mid-range guts to cope with the Skoda Superb's size. If you work it hard, it'll hit 0-62mph in a respectable 9.1sec and, with costs factored in, it's our pick of the range. If you need more power, go for the livelier 187bhp 2.0 TSI 190, or the 276bhp 2.0 TSI 280, which hits 62mph from rest in just 5.2sec. The only fly-in-the-ointment is that the automatic gearbox isn't as responsive as the best out there, tending to dither when you want to make a quick getaway to join a busy roundabout.

If diesel isn’t your bag but you have an eye on efficiency, the plug-in hybrid 1.4 TSI iV 218 comes highly recommended. It uses an 85kW electric motor paired with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine for a total power output of 215bhp. It's one of the quicker versions of the Superb (0-62mph takes 7.7sec) and has an official electric-only range of just under 40 miles. That's not far off the BMW 3 Series 330e's EV capability.

Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is what Skoda calls its adaptive suspension. It's optional on all trims from SE L, and standard if you opt for the top Laurin & Klement trim or any iV plug-in hybrid. Driving in the softest Comfort mode is a lovely experience, like bobbing gently up and down on a waterbed as bumps come and go beneath you. Selecting Normal mode tightens it up a bit but it’s still very supple, while Sport mode is fairly firm.

The steering is accurate and light, which helps when manoeuvring in town, and it gains enough weight as the speed increases. The Superb is set up for comfort rather than careering around corners, though, so the level of feedback you get with sportier offerings, such as the 3 Series and Jaguar XE, just isn’t there.

It doesn't have the 3 Series' pin-sharp body control, either. It leans more in bends when you press on, but still has plenty of grip, and never feels less than safe, secure and predictable. Four-wheel drive – which is optional on the 2.0 TDI 200 SE L (but not the other trim lines) and mandatory for the 2.0 TSI 280 – gives you added traction for tackling greasy winter roads.

At speed, you’ll hear a flutter of wind noise and some low-level road roar. The larger wheel and tyre options kick up more of the latter and some added tyre slap over motorway expansion joints. There’s also suspension noise, but all these quibbles can be levelled at most of the Superb's chief price rivals, such as the Mazda 6 and the Passat. If you want something quieter, try the Audi A4, which is one of the most hushed executive cars.