2010 Skoda Superb Reviews

Skoda Superb is a large family car; longer than the Australian family sixes, indeed more in line with the Holden Caprice and Ford LTD than the standard Commodores and Falcons. However, the Czech car is not as wide as the Aussie cars.The Superb has limousine-size rear legroom and appeals to families consisting of Mum, Dad and a couple of hulking teenage sons. Three adults in the rear work without too much shoulder rubbing, but two makes more sense.While the Superb would work beautifully as a limousine, it’s a brave driver that turns up at a client’s place with something other than a German prestige marque.The Superb sedan/hatchback arrived in Australia in May 2009, May 2010 saw the launch of the station wagon. The Superb has never been as big a seller as its should - a statement that can be applied to the entire Skoda range in this country.Push one button at the rear of a Skoda Superb and a conventional bootlid opens. Close the bootlid and push a different button and a large rear hatch opens. Great fun and guaranteed to bemuse your neighbours!There are some very clever touches; the rear passenger doors have a compartment for a folding umbrella, thus doing away with the dangerous practice of carrying an umbrella on the rear parcel shelf. There’s a detachable torch housed in the tailgate of the wagon. It not only shines into the boot, but also illuminates the area outside the back of the vehicle. The torch is battery powered and is automatically recharged when it's in it cradle.Ride and handling show typical European characteristics, with the Superb having the solid feel of all vehicles designed by the Volkswagen group.Some may find the ride is slightly too firm, particularly on roads that should be in better conditions. But keen drivers will appreciate the firmer rid and will like the relatively neutral feel of the chassis. It doesn’t really show any signs of understeer until you’re going pretty hard into corners.The most common powertrain in the Superb is the Volkswagen 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine linked to a DSG double-clutch gearbox.The DSG has the usual failing of being lumpy and awkward at low speeds on light accelerator pressure.Other engine options are a four-cylinder 1.8-litre petrol and a 3.6 litre V6 in the 4x4 model. The six-cylinder is a delight to sit behind, smooth and torquey, but not many sold so it’s hard to find on the used-car scene.There aren’t a lot of Skoda dealers in Australia and those that do exist are chiefly in the major metro areas. Then again most of the Superb’s out of sight parts are shared with Volkswagen and Audi vehicles so getting spares, servicing and repairs shouldn't be a hassle if you shop around.These are relatively complex vehicles and we don’t feel the unskilled owner should do anything other than the most basic work on the Superb. Should you wish to tackle it, it makes sense to get hold of a workshop manual. As always, leave anything related to safety to the experts.Insurance charges for this big Skoda vary more than normal from company to company, probably because the numbers are too small to have built up a steady body repair history. Shop around, but make sure you do accurate apples-with-apples comparisons.Skoda has been caught up in the dirty diesel Volkswagen Group engine scandal. Cars with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel may be defective. Get onto the Skoda website and enter the VIN, it’s visible from the outside of the windscreen on the passenger side.The DSG gearbox has had more than its fair share of problems. During your test drive check that it doesn’t jump from gear to gear unnecessarily, or even slip into neutral for no reason. Repairs can be expensive, some Superbs may have had the DSG replaced altogether, check the service books.While on the subject of service books, it makes sense to buy a Superb with that book rubber stamped by an official dealer.Look for signs of previous body repairs. The easiest to spot are ripples in the panels and tiny specs of paint on non-painted surfaces. If in doubt either skip the car or have a profession after-smash repair, preferably in a workshop.Look for excessive wear and tear in the rear seat area and the luggage compartment. The sheer usability of these big Skodas mean they are often worked hard as family transport.When considering a relatively rare used vehicle it’s smart to do homework in your local area on the availability of spare parts and servicing.

By the time Skoda inveigled its Superb here the carmaker was working hard to build up its position in the market. The VW offshoot had a toehold in our highly competitive market, but it had become in effect a one-car company with the Octavia the only model doing any business to speak of and was going nowhere fast.NEWThe Superb was the first of a range of new and updated models aimed at getting some movement at its dealerships. It was based on a stretched Octavia/Passat platform, but being no wider than the smaller models it looked a little like a stretched limo, too long for its width. At launch there was just the one body style available, a wagon was added to the range later.That first body style was unusual in that it could be described as a sedan or a hatch. The trick was its "TwinDoor" boot lid cum tailgate, which could be either at the flick of a switch. It could be a normal boot, but at the flick of a switch it could be a full tailgate like that you get with a hatch. Under the hatch was a large boot that could be expanded by folding the rear seats.There was also heaps of room up front with comfortable accommodation for five adults in a quiet, refined cabin. Three engines were offered. A 1.8-litre four opened the bidding with 118 kW and 250 Nm; that was followed by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that offered 125 kW and 350 Nm of frugal motoring, with the range topped by a 191 kW/250 Nm V6, which was only available in the Elegance.The diesel engine and the V6 were hooked up to a 6-speed DSG gearbox, while the 1.8-litre petrol got a 7-speed DSG unit. Final drive was through the front wheels with the four-cylinder and turbo-diesel engines, but the V6 had all-wheel drive. All models were well equipped, particularly the Elegance, which had the lot.NOWDSG: three letters that should spell caution when looking at a Superb. Road testers raved about the innovative new gearbox when VW rolled it out across its range, but they only had to live with it for a few days, a week at most. They didn't have to live with it for years as an owner has had to. We've been inundated with reports from angry owners about the DSG gearbox in their cars.Not from Skoda owners, from VW owners, and the gearboxes are the same. There's no question that the gearbox is a great thing when it's working as it should, but too often that doesn't happen, and when it plays up it becomes a nightmare. Erratic shifting, choosing the wrong gear, finding neutral at the most inappropriate moments are a couple of the issues that have been reported to us here at Carsguide.If the transmission does give trouble it can be an expensive unit to repair, and dealers usually opt for replacing the transmission instead of repairing it, and that's an even more expensive outcome.So, the bottom line for anyone contemplating buying a Skoda Superb is to thoroughly test drive it in all types of driving conditions and put the gearbox through its paces, observing for any hard changes, and shuddering on take-off of gear shifting, any reluctance to change gears, indication it has selected the wrong gear, and certainly any time it selects neutral.If you have any doubts about checking it, have it checking by an independent mechanic experienced in picking problems with autos. Another innovation was a so-called rain braking system that dried the brake rotors by bringing the pads into contact with the rotors every three kays for three seconds. A recipe for brake wear if ever there was one, so be prepared for more frequent brake replacements.As always check your potential purchase for regular servicing, go over the body checking for dodgy panel gaps, poor paint finish etc that might be a giveaway to a crash. The Superb is packed with electrics and electronics, other areas that often give trouble in today's cars, so check all systems and make sure everything is working as it should.SMITHY SAYSGenerally a sound choice, but be wary of DSG gearbox, which is a known problem area on VW products.Skoda Superb - 2009-2010Price new: $42,990 to $56,990Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 118 kW/ 250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-  cylinder turbo-diesel, 125 kW/350 Nm; 3.6-litre V6 petrol, 191 kW/250 Nm.Transmission: 6-speed DSG, 7-speed DSG, FWD (1.8, TD), AWD (V6)Economy: 8.4 L/100 km (1.8), 6.9 L/100 km (TD), 10.2 L/100 km (V6)Body: 4-door sedanVariants: Ambition, EleganceSafety: 5-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a Ford Fiesta? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

ANY car that lobs with a Superb badge on the boot had better be good.  Using a name like that is an invitation to failure, especially in Australia, or at least a severe ribbing if it doesn't come up to snuff.Skoda has a right to the Superb badge because it's part of the company's history, but the Czech brand still has to make a serious impact in Australia and superb is a word that doesn't really fit.  But the Superb shows what Skoda can do and moves the Australian story on from the Octavia that has done most of the heavy lifting since it was added to the local Volkswagen Group family.It's a lot like the Volkswagen Passat, at least in size and mechanical package, but the hard workers in the Czech Republic have managed to give it a unique look, a unique personality and unique value.  So the Superb is bigger inside than a Passat and that latest model, the Wagon, has pricing from $38,990."It's an excellent package and we've positioned it well on value. It will help to build the brand," says Matthew Wiesner, general manager of Skoda Australia.  "It's the right opportunity. We're taking advantage of the global model activity that we can plug into."The Superb Wagon range is predictable and solid, with both petrol and diesel engines, front and all-wheel drive, and a range of specifications up to the popular Elegance pack that includes everything from electric leather seats and alloy wheels to seven airbags and ABS brakes across the range.ValueValue is the foundation for the whole Skoda brand, which sits at the bottom of the Volkswagen Group in Australia below VW itself and then Audi.  The test car is a turbodiesel with Elegance, the second-top model - below the V6 all-wheel drive - with a pricetag of $49,990.It comes massively loaded and yet still with a pricetag that undercuts its large-car rivals in Australia including the Commodore Sportwagon and a bunch of mid-range SUVs.  The 118 engine is the most popular of Volkswagen's diesels in Australia and it also gets an excellent DSG manu-matic gearbox, with everything inside from satnav to a really punchy sound system."Diesel is the most popular drivetrain in the Superb, and probably 80 per cent of sales. It's the Elegance specification that is most popular," says Wiesner.  "We're seeing growth month-on-month through that pricing. And a reasonable takeup of the four-wheel drive V6."But, despite Xenon headlamps and the rest, the car is not available with a rear-view camera. There is parking sonar but it's a major failing.  "It's under development," says Wiesner, without promising an introduction date.TechnologySkoda takes everything out of the Volkswagen parts bin, which means good stuff.  The engine has 125kW and 350 Nm, there are six gears in the DSG, fully-independent suspension, power steering and the other stuff you expect at this size and price.The actual body is developed from the same platform used for a huge range of Volkwagen Group products from the Golf, but Skoda has managed to even trump the Passat with a huge cabin and a good looking shape that's also practical.  Skoda says the interior dimensions are similar to the Sportwagon and now-dead Falcon wagon, but with a much deeper load space in the rear.DesignThe Superb Wagon is a bulky car but its proportions are well disguised and it has an upmarket look and feel.  That means fake wood in the dash, lots of chrome on the nose, leather inside and soft-touch plastics in all the key areas.The tail end is an absolute treat, with everything from a high-lift tailgate with a rubber pulldown strap to a range of plug-in dividers which sit in tracking in the luggage space. They seem familiar from the Audi Q7.The seats are well shaped, the dash design is simple and effective - with green highlights, where VW uses blue - and there is huge space in the back seat. The fold-down luggage space is made bigger and flatter with a system which folds the back squab up and forward so the backrest can tuck right away.It's a big surprise to find a fold-out umbrella inside the left-rear door - something we though was reserved for Rollls-Royce - and there is even a nifty pull-out torch inside the tail.  But the cupholders are crappy, too small and not enough of them.SafetyThe Superb ticks all the boxes, from seven airbags - including one for the driver's knee - to ESP and brake assist. It's a five-star effort.  It also has standard tyre pressure monitoring, three-point belts for all occupants, and an alarm with interior monitoring.  But it should come with a rear-view camera.DrivingThe Superb wagon is a very big car, ideal for family work and a serious alternative to a wide range of SUVs.  Basically, it's the car a lot of Australians need - not the one they want.Even so, the cabin space is fantastically large and flexible, with giant legroom front and back, and that brilliant luggage space in the tail.It's a very quiet car that gets along more than well enough with the turbodiesel engine and DSG gearbox. There is good push for overtaking and it's light on fuel.At first the Superb feels a little soft and floppy. And the front suspension definitely wobbles and crashes through bumps a bit, but the tail is solidly planted and the brakes are great.It's not a sport car but it's much more convincing and enjoyable than most SUVs, particularly when you have the family and a load on board.  It's one of the surprisingly memorable cars of 2010 and brilliant value. It makes the Passat look underdone and puts the Sportwagon into a slot for people who really want an SS sedan but have to have a wagon for family work.SHE SAYS - Alison WardI barely know what a Skoda is when the Superb arrives but I'm immediately impressed.  We have the automatic 7-speed DSG (whatever that means) diesel full leather trim and a stylish interior. Being a part of the VW network obviously has its advantages.  You can see their contribution in the dash and the seamless gearchanges and handling. This car is a benchmark car for Aussie drivers, especially for traveling families.  Its base model includes a mile of extras others car brands want to charge for and the test car is brilliant value.  There is loads of room in the boot with plenty of tricky hooks, lights and restraints for your belongings.The back seat has so much space we can wind the front seats all the way back and not worry about the youngster in the child seat. But I think the cupholder situation is a bit dire.  If there is a better family car in Australia for $50,000 then I haven't driven it.VerdictIt's not quite superb, but the new Skoda flagship is very, very good and brilliant value.

ANY car that lobs with a Superb badge on the boot had better be good.  Using a name like that is an invitation to failure, especially in Australia, or at least a severe ribbing if it doesn't come up to snuff.Skoda has a right to the Superb badge because it's part of the company's history, but the Czech brand still has to make a serious impact in Australia and superb is a word that doesn't really fit.  But the Superb shows what Skoda can do and moves the Australian story on from the Octavia that has done most of the heavy lifting since it was added to the local Volkswagen Group family.It's a lot like the Volkswagen Passat, at least in size and mechanical package, but the hard workers in the Czech Republic have managed to give it a unique look, a unique personality and unique value.  So the Superb is bigger inside than a Passat and that latest model, the Wagon, has pricing from $38,990."It's an excellent package and we've positioned it well on value. It will help to build the brand," says Matthew Wiesner, general manager of Skoda Australia.  "It's the right opportunity. We're taking advantage of the global model activity that we can plug into."The Superb Wagon range is predictable and solid, with both petrol and diesel engines, front and all-wheel drive, and a range of specifications up to the popular Elegance pack that includes everything from electric leather seats and alloy wheels to seven airbags and ABS brakes across the range.ValueValue is the foundation for the whole Skoda brand, which sits at the bottom of the Volkswagen Group in Australia below VW itself and then Audi.  The test car is a turbodiesel with Elegance, the second-top model - below the V6 all-wheel drive - with a pricetag of $49,990.It comes massively loaded and yet still with a pricetag that undercuts its large-car rivals in Australia including the Commodore Sportwagon and a bunch of mid-range SUVs.  The 118 engine is the most popular of Volkswagen's diesels in Australia and it also gets an excellent DSG manu-matic gearbox, with everything inside from satnav to a really punchy sound system."Diesel is the most popular drivetrain in the Superb, and probably 80 per cent of sales. It's the Elegance specification that is most popular," says Wiesner.  "We're seeing growth month-on-month through that pricing. And a reasonable takeup of the four-wheel drive V6."But, despite Xenon headlamps and the rest, the car is not available with a rear-view camera. There is parking sonar but it's a major failing.  "It's under development," says Wiesner, without promising an introduction date.TechnologySkoda takes everything out of the Volkswagen parts bin, which means good stuff.  The engine has 125kW and 350 Nm, there are six gears in the DSG, fully-independent suspension, power steering and the other stuff you expect at this size and price.The actual body is developed from the same platform used for a huge range of Volkwagen Group products from the Golf, but Skoda has managed to even trump the Passat with a huge cabin and a good looking shape that's also practical.  Skoda says the interior dimensions are similar to the Sportwagon and now-dead Falcon wagon, but with a much deeper load space in the rear.DesignThe Superb Wagon is a bulky car but its proportions are well disguised and it has an upmarket look and feel.  That means fake wood in the dash, lots of chrome on the nose, leather inside and soft-touch plastics in all the key areas.The tail end is an absolute treat, with everything from a high-lift tailgate with a rubber pulldown strap to a range of plug-in dividers which sit in tracking in the luggage space. They seem familiar from the Audi Q7.The seats are well shaped, the dash design is simple and effective - with green highlights, where VW uses blue - and there is huge space in the back seat. The fold-down luggage space is made bigger and flatter with a system which folds the back squab up and forward so the backrest can tuck right away.It's a big surprise to find a fold-out umbrella inside the left-rear door - something we though was reserved for Rollls-Royce - and there is even a nifty pull-out torch inside the tail.  But the cupholders are crappy, too small and not enough of them.SafetyThe Superb ticks all the boxes, from seven airbags - including one for the driver's knee - to ESP and brake assist. It's a five-star effort.  It also has standard tyre pressure monitoring, three-point belts for all occupants, and an alarm with interior monitoring.  But it should come with a rear-view camera.DrivingThe Superb wagon is a very big car, ideal for family work and a serious alternative to a wide range of SUVs.  Basically, it's the car a lot of Australians need - not the one they want.Even so, the cabin space is fantastically large and flexible, with giant legroom front and back, and that brilliant luggage space in the tail.It's a very quiet car that gets along more than well enough with the turbodiesel engine and DSG gearbox. There is good push for overtaking and it's light on fuel.At first the Superb feels a little soft and floppy. And the front suspension definitely wobbles and crashes through bumps a bit, but the tail is solidly planted and the brakes are great.It's not a sport car but it's much more convincing and enjoyable than most SUVs, particularly when you have the family and a load on board.  It's one of the surprisingly memorable cars of 2010 and brilliant value. It makes the Passat look underdone and puts the Sportwagon into a slot for people who really want an SS sedan but have to have a wagon for family work.SHE SAYS - Alison WardI barely know what a Skoda is when the Superb arrives but I'm immediately impressed.  We have the automatic 7-speed DSG (whatever that means) diesel full leather trim and a stylish interior. Being a part of the VW network obviously has its advantages.  You can see their contribution in the dash and the seamless gearchanges and handling. This car is a benchmark car for Aussie drivers, especially for traveling families.  Its base model includes a mile of extras others car brands want to charge for and the test car is brilliant value.  There is loads of room in the boot with plenty of tricky hooks, lights and restraints for your belongings.The back seat has so much space we can wind the front seats all the way back and not worry about the youngster in the child seat. But I think the cupholder situation is a bit dire.  If there is a better family car in Australia for $50,000 then I haven't driven it.VerdictIt's not quite superb, but the new Skoda flagship is very, very good and brilliant value.

Spaciousness is what the Skoda Superb is all about. When the Superb sedan arrived in Australia in 2009 it drew the attention of those wanting a lot of space for their money. Early 2010 saw the launch of the station wagon, the subject of our review in this road test.Skoda Superb wagon retains the limousine-size rear legroom for which the Superb sedan/hatchback is renowned. Indeed, head room for both front and rear seat passengers has been slightly increased due to the longer roof of the wagon. This latter is a useful feature as the rear seat sits higher than the front one to help gain that superb amount of legroom, but someone of my height, 1.82 metres, may find the headroom marginal in the sedan. But I fit under the Superb wagon's roof with room to spare.The Skoda Superb wagon boasts a voluminous 633-litre boot with all five seats in use and that grows to a huge 1865 litres with the second row of seats folded.On the downside, the designers have opted for fashion before function in the rear-end styling. The tailgate has a fair slope instead of sitting nicely upright. So, while the floor offers plenty of length the back of the wagon can't cope with large boxy items.As is the way with European cars, safety and practicality are strong features in this Superb wagon. The rear load area has aluminium sliders and there's an adjustable rail system to lock luggage into place.At 600 mm off the ground the boot floor is easily accessible. Skoda offers an optional extendable boot floor which can jut out over the rear bumper. It has a load rating of 90 kg. Another option is a powered push-button tailgate.This Skoda is a big car; longer than the Aussie family sixes. However, the Skoda Superb isn't as wide as the local cars, being similar in width to a typical medium-sized car. This means it doesn't have the interior width to carry three adults in the rear without a fair bit of shoulder rubbing. But if your family consists of Mum, Dad and a couple of hulking teenage sons, the Superb will work superbly.Neat features abound in the Skoda Superb, before doing your own road test have a look at the clever detachable torch housed in the tailgate. It not only shines into the boot, but also illuminates the area outside the back of the vehicle. The torch even has a magnetic strip so it can be placed on the car's body, for example to change a flat tyre at night. The torch is battery powered and is automatically recharged when it's in it cradle. There's up to three hours of battery life before recharging is required.Then look at the rear passenger doors that have a compartment for a folding umbrella, not only making it more convenient, but also doing away with the dangerous practice of carrying an umbrella on the rear parcel shelf.Our road test Superb wagon came with the Volkswagen 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine that we have enjoyed in several other vehicles from the VW range. It generates up to 125 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque and is linked to a six-speed DSG double-clutch gearbox.Though it has the usual double-clutch failings of being lumpy and awkward at low speeds on light accelerator pressure, this powertrain is a beauty at all other times. Turbo lag is minimal, there's a huge surge of grunt as the diesel really gets going – and it doesn't use a lot of fuel.Typically the Superb wagon – a large and spacious vehicle – will only use about seven to eight litres of diesel per hundred kilometres on the open road. And can come down into the sixes with a bit of careful driving. Even around town its consumption will still only rise to about eight to nine litres per hundred.Other engine options in the new Superb wagon range are a four-cylinder 1.8-litre petrol and a 3.0 litre V6 in the 4x4 model.Ride and handling show typical European characteristics, with the Superb having the solid feel of all vehicles designed by the Volkswagen group. Some may find the ride is slightly too firm, particularly on roads that should be in better conditions. But keen drivers will like the relatively neutral feel of the chassis and the fact that understeer doesn't come into the equation until the vehicle is going pretty hard into corners.The Skoda Superb wagon is priced at $2000 over the sedan range. But no other limousine on the market comes with a price tag anywhere near that of the Skoda.

It has added the Superb wagon to the local line-up in an attempt to sway buyers away from other Euro wagons and even the Holden Sportwagon.Costing $2000 more then the equivalent sedan models, Skoda Australia believes up to 60 per cent of Superb buyers will opt for the well-equipped wagon. With two petrol engines and one turbo-diesel, prices kick off at $40,990 for the well-equipped seven-speed DSG 118TSI Ambition, rising to $57,990 for the six-speed DSG V6 all-wheel drive Elegance.Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner believes the wagon has the ability to tackle the premium European wagons and some of its more affordable Japanese rivals. The big wagon has 'family' stamped all over it, from the commodious, well thought-out luggage area to the roomy back seat."Value is one of our key strategies," he says. "We’re finally beyond the 'we're here phase' and can now build the brand with even more desirable products like the wagon."The Superb wagon has a massive load area – 633 litres with the rear seats up and 1865 with the seats folded. The tailgate is also wide enough to accommodate bulky items and the car has a low loading sill, 600mm above the ground. There’s room enough under the load area for full-size spares on the front drive Ambition and Elegance while the Elegance V6 4x4 gets a space saver."It’s clearly aimed at families," Wiesner says. "I expect we will see a far higher degree of female drivers so that’s why it’s so well equipped."VARIANTS AND EQUIPMENTLike the sedan there are two models, Ambition and Elegance. Wiesner expects most buyers to opt for the $46,990 118 TSI Elegance model, with fleets tipped into the entry 118 TSI Ambition. At $57,990 the range topping V6 all-wheel drive is out to tackle the Audi A4 wagon and Volvo V70 T6 wagon.It comes standard with the VW Group’s park assist parallel parking system, which automatically parks the car into a given space. Other equipment candy includes an optional $790 electric tailgate, magnetic rear luggage bay light that also works as a detachable torch, luggage rails and optional $370 extendable luggage floor and $140 automatic luggage cover release.The entry Ambition is not short of gear. It boasts nine airbags, 16-inch alloys, stability control, dual zone climate control, foglights, tyre pressure monitoring, heated rear view mirrors, rear parking sensors 8-speaker CD stereo, heated front seats and rain sensing wipers.The Elegance ups the standard equipment list by adding satellite navigation, leater seats, electric front seats with memory, active Bi-Xenon headlights, 10 speaker premium CD stereo, alarm, heated front and rear seats and 17 inch alloys. The V6 rides on 18-inch alloys. The running gear of the wagon is based on the sedan – which shares much with the Volkswagen Passat – but Skoda has made some modifications to cope with the extra weight and load-lugging characteristics. The rear axle housing is attached to the body with anti-vibration dampers.DRIVINGWe were already won over by the sensible Superb sedan. Now the wagon, particularly the turbo-diesel, is helping reshape the options for many families. It’s roomy like the sedan, particularly in the back seat. But out back is where it makes a whole lot of sense. Physically the wagon has better proportions than the sedan.It looks a whole lot more resolved from a design viewpoint and looks smart and contemporary. The sedan may have its quirky hatch-and-boot in-one but the wagon kicks you up a whole new level with a sensible load area, plenty of tiedowns and hidden cubbies for storing valuables.Being from the VW Group means there is plenty of well thought out switchgear and the engines too are proven and well matched for the car. The ride, handling and steering all have that familiar VW touch to them, which is a good thing. The 3.6-litre V6 – shared with the Passat - is punchy and the quad exhausts are a neat touch for Dads who want to remind the world they’re still enthusiasts even if they drive a wagon.The 2.0TDI would be our pick for long distances. It’s amazingly quiet and frugal yet has plenty of mid-range urge to keep things interesting. We didn’t get a chance to try out the 118TSI but our experience in VWs and the Octavia have been favourable. The overall fit and finish of the Superb wagon was, well, superb.The wagon is yet another brand builder that is clearly going to prove to many people that this Czech brand is no longer a poor cousin to its German parent.

It has added the Superb wagon to the local line-up in an attempt to sway buyers away from other Euro wagons and even the Holden Sportwagon.Costing $2000 more then the equivalent sedan models, Skoda Australia believes up to 60 per cent of Superb buyers will opt for the well-equipped wagon. With two petrol engines and one turbo-diesel, prices kick off at $40,990 for the well-equipped seven-speed DSG 118TSI Ambition, rising to $57,990 for the six-speed DSG V6 all-wheel drive Elegance.Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner believes the wagon has the ability to tackle the premium European wagons and some of its more affordable Japanese rivals. The big wagon has 'family' stamped all over it, from the commodious, well thought-out luggage area to the roomy back seat."Value is one of our key strategies," he says. "We’re finally beyond the 'we're here phase' and can now build the brand with even more desirable products like the wagon."The Superb wagon has a massive load area – 633 litres with the rear seats up and 1865 with the seats folded. The tailgate is also wide enough to accommodate bulky items and the car has a low loading sill, 600mm above the ground. There’s room enough under the load area for full-size spares on the front drive Ambition and Elegance while the Elegance V6 4x4 gets a space saver."It’s clearly aimed at families," Wiesner says. "I expect we will see a far higher degree of female drivers so that’s why it’s so well equipped."VARIANTS AND EQUIPMENTLike the sedan there are two models, Ambition and Elegance. Wiesner expects most buyers to opt for the $46,990 118 TSI Elegance model, with fleets tipped into the entry 118 TSI Ambition. At $57,990 the range topping V6 all-wheel drive is out to tackle the Audi A4 wagon and Volvo V70 T6 wagon.It comes standard with the VW Group’s park assist parallel parking system, which automatically parks the car into a given space. Other equipment candy includes an optional $790 electric tailgate, magnetic rear luggage bay light that also works as a detachable torch, luggage rails and optional $370 extendable luggage floor and $140 automatic luggage cover release.The entry Ambition is not short of gear. It boasts nine airbags, 16-inch alloys, stability control, dual zone climate control, foglights, tyre pressure monitoring, heated rear view mirrors, rear parking sensors 8-speaker CD stereo, heated front seats and rain sensing wipers.The Elegance ups the standard equipment list by adding satellite navigation, leater seats, electric front seats with memory, active Bi-Xenon headlights, 10 speaker premium CD stereo, alarm, heated front and rear seats and 17 inch alloys. The V6 rides on 18-inch alloys. The running gear of the wagon is based on the sedan – which shares much with the Volkswagen Passat – but Skoda has made some modifications to cope with the extra weight and load-lugging characteristics. The rear axle housing is attached to the body with anti-vibration dampers.DRIVINGWe were already won over by the sensible Superb sedan. Now the wagon, particularly the turbo-diesel, is helping reshape the options for many families. It’s roomy like the sedan, particularly in the back seat. But out back is where it makes a whole lot of sense. Physically the wagon has better proportions than the sedan.It looks a whole lot more resolved from a design viewpoint and looks smart and contemporary. The sedan may have its quirky hatch-and-boot in-one but the wagon kicks you up a whole new level with a sensible load area, plenty of tiedowns and hidden cubbies for storing valuables.Being from the VW Group means there is plenty of well thought out switchgear and the engines too are proven and well matched for the car. The ride, handling and steering all have that familiar VW touch to them, which is a good thing. The 3.6-litre V6 – shared with the Passat - is punchy and the quad exhausts are a neat touch for Dads who want to remind the world they’re still enthusiasts even if they drive a wagon.The 2.0TDI would be our pick for long distances. It’s amazingly quiet and frugal yet has plenty of mid-range urge to keep things interesting. We didn’t get a chance to try out the 118TSI but our experience in VWs and the Octavia have been favourable. The overall fit and finish of the Superb wagon was, well, superb.The wagon is yet another brand builder that is clearly going to prove to many people that this Czech brand is no longer a poor cousin to its German parent.

YOU'VE almost got to wonder, who buys all those cars? To say nothing of the SUVs and commercial jiggers.  Private owners and fleets bought almost 81,500 new vehicles last month. Of course, the usual suspects - Holden, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai - do most business among the 50 or so brands on offer. But for every no-brainer buy there's an overlooked, if not unloved, model sitting on the lot.If you fancy a bit of vive la difference, we've unearthed some hidden treasures whose lack of popularity ought to compel the sales people to do a deal for you.Alfa Romeo 159Sales in April: 29Price:$49,990-$82,990THOUGH a non-starter in the premium sales stakes led by zer Chermans, Alfa's now five-year-old midsize sedan and wagon will be with us for another two years.Upgrades have seen it shed a bit of lard and get a six-speed automatic that works with it, as opposed to behaving like a transplanted organ the body's rejecting. Most 159s sold now are TI editions with lowered suspension and lustrous, but eminently kerbable, 19-inch alloys.Hardly the sharpest tool in the shed but, my, isn't she lovely? Gorgeous, actually.  Standard equipment levels are high, so put the acid on the dealer for a good driveaway deal.* Our choice: 2.4 JTDm auto sportwagonCitroen C5Sales in April: 16Price: $45,990-$72,990DESPITE its dashing appearance, the driving reality of this almost entirely diesel line-up can be considered exciting only if you accept boules as an extreme sport. It ain't sportif, but that's the point.What it does, in its Gallic shrugging way, is provide a classically wafty Citroen ride in a package that looks equally at home in Paris, Provence or Parramatta. The 3.0 twin turbo V6 oiler would convert an avowed petrolhead but, in Australia's Third World road conditions, isn't sufficiently superior to the 2.0-litre four potter to justify the price.* Our choice: 2.0 HDi ComfortFiat 500Sales in April: 25Price: $22,990-$33,990THING is, everyone who wants a mini 2+2 convertible goes for, well, a Mini. The irresistible new Bambino now comes with a rag top, in addition to its more stalwart though hardly less cute coupe siblings.Indeed, how much cute can you cope with? Given its level of kit and customisation options, the 500 is as much a bite-sized luxury car as a city-friendly commuting device.The current lack of an auto option in all versions across the range keeps sales to niche levels but, hey, this is a compact Italian job. Over there, even the most venerable nonna can handle a stick shift. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Fix-It-Again-Tony days are way behind Fiat.* Our choice: 1.4 Lounge manualHonda Civic HybridSales: 75-80 (since January)Price: $34,490WHILE Toyota's Prius is effectively a synonym for petrol-electric propulsion, the cheaper Honda not only looks like a car it drives like one, while returning a potential 4.6 litres per 100km. Sales are down a bit at the moment, as petrol prices are too, but an oil price spike is certain at some point. If you want a green car that doesn't make you look like Clover Moore, act soon.* Our choice: There is but oneSkoda SuperbSales in April: 6Price: From $39,990MAYBE the long Czech liftback and now wagon is just too close in essence and price to its VW Passat sibling. Maybe we don't yet "get'' big cars with small but highly efficient engines (though there's a diesel and a V6 petrol variant as well). Maybe it's a cold war hangover.Whatever it is, we're wrong. With a price realignment, the Superb offers better value, more kit, lots of space and lusher feel than the VW. It won Top Gear's luxury car of the year; the previous winner was a Rolls-Royce, for heaven's sake.* Our choice: Got to be the 1.8 turbo petrol wagon

Enviro is going viral. Just about every maker has an ‘eco’ model on the market, and Skoda is not about to let that slice of the market get away either.Cue the Superb Greenline – the frugal sibling in the Czech brand’s large-size sedan line-up. Don’t let the ‘green’ reference fool you into thinking there’s hybrid or electric technology afoot. There’s a more-or-less normal diesel engine, but with a raft of nips and tucks designed to whittle fuel consumption.Similarly to its Volkswagen cousin, the Passat Bluemotion, the Greenline’s frugality has been achieved with taller gearing, engine remapping, low rolling resistance tyres, some aerodynamic nose and underbody tweaking and lowered suspension to reduce drag, and weight trimming with tricks like a foam-sealant tyre repair kit replacing the 13kg spare wheel in the boot.Drivetrain Essentially, it carries the same somewhat aged VW-sourced 78kW/250Nm 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine as the normal version (offered in overseas markets), which although a bit long in the tooth is itself if a fairly frugal operator at 5.69L/100km. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission as the only box on offer.We don’t have that engine in the range launched locally this week, comprising 118kW/250Nm1.8-litre and 191kW350Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines and a 125kW/350Nm 2-litre turbodiesel – all mated to Volkswagen’s DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission.And if we do get the Greenline here, Skoda Australia would be very keen to have the DSG in play. “The Australian market doesn’t really have the desire to drive manual cars – the majority of drivers are automatic drivers,” says Skoda spokesman Karl Gehling.Economy and emissions The Superb’s Greneline changes slice 12 per cent off the fuel consumption, resulting in an official figure of 5.09L/100km. We had half a day with the Greenline in Slovenia, mostly cruising around at 100-120km/h, but with about 40 minutes spent nudging through an accident and some roadworks, and at least an hour at around 140km/h on the autobahn system. Neither of those last two driving styles will help you keep the consumption low, but we finished the day at just 5.1L/100km overall. Emissions have also been cut by nearly 10 per cent, dropping the CO2 from 150g/km to 136g.kmAppearance and fit-out The standard Superb has fairly conservative styling – nothing there to offend, and little to excite either. But while you’d think anything touted as green would just mean the design equivalent of added brown rice and hemp sandals, the changes to the Greenline actually improve its looks a tad, with the lowered stance and a tiny boot spoiler giving it a hint of cheek.That boot is worth a second look, too, for the nifty ‘twindoor’ function that means it can be opened as either a normal bootlid or – by pressing a button that locks the bootlid onto the rear window – as a hatch. That function allows you full access into a black hole of space so cavernous we feared bags might disappear in there and not be found without calling on a search party.The cockpit is classy, showing some happy DNA from the VW Golf GTI, and while it’s not in the prestige class there’s a definite impression of quality.To the Superb’s baseline equipment list – including umbrella holder in rear door, over-ride on the passenger possie among the seven airbags, stability control and eight-speaker MP3-compatible CD audio – the Greenline adds cruise control, darker tinted glass beyond the B-pillar, and a few leather and metal accents.PricingThere’s no firm decision on what the Greenline would cost in Australia, but an indication can be given from the overseas difference, where it’s about a $1500 step up from the base level. So if Skoda get’s its wish for the DSG, expect somewhere between there and $3000 as a premium to go green.Driving The curious thing about the changes made to render a normal Superb into a green one is that most of them could be applied across the range. So it’s a mystery why they aren’t, especially as they don’t seem to undermine the driving experience.Sure, the 1.9-litre sounds a bit agricultural, especially at idle. But it’s going to sound like that anyway, whether in a green car or not. The five-speed manual could do with an extra slot at the top, but otherwise is well tacked onto the engine, working with the throttle to wring the best out of the unit.The lowered suspension and reduced weight are probably key factors in its surprisingly agile handling ability, but it still rides well enough over rougher sections to absorb most of the irritation.It’s roomy and comfortable – front and back – and is very quiet except for some noise from the low-resistance rubber.If we ended up with a niggle, it was the Greenline badge on the boot. Rather than trumpeting its greener ability with a slick visual fillip to the Superb nameplate, the little chrome rectangle seems like almost self-effacing statement on what is quite a good car. Standard Skoda operating procedure, then.Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.