Skoda Superb (02-08) - Review

Comfort is Superb's biggest strength. The interior is smart and filled with thoughtful touches like an umbrella that's hidden in the door on certain models and blue backlit door handles. The seats are comfortable and supportive and there's room for three in the back, though it's far more comfortable with two. The amount of legroom is particularly impressive - it's possible to fully stretch out and there's more space than in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It's quiet at speed, while good quality materials contribute to a high quality, airy feeling.

In and around town, Superb is a little cumbersome and not particularly suited to darting through city traffic on a daily basis. Nonetheless, it’s easy to climb in and out of and the roomy cabin makes lengthy journeys bearable. The boot is large - with a capacity of 462 litres - usefully shaped and very accessible. Unfortunately, the back seats are fixed in place - you can't split or fold them down - which is a shame and prohibits Superb owners from lugging larger, or more awkwardly shaped, loads.

From the driver's seat, the Superb feels rather special. If you've ever owned a VW, then a lot of the controls will look and feel familiar. They also click reassuringly into place, which adds to the impression of quality. Visibility could be better: the thick windscreen and rear pillars restrict the view. Subtle blue backlighting behind the instrumentation and door handles give the cabin a reassuringly classy feel at night.