Skoda Superb Reviews

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?What is it?One of the most underrated cars on the road. The Superb wagon is a large practical car, with super fuel economy.How much? Prices for the wagon start at $40,990. Our 4x4 version is $43,990. Not sure you need it but it's still a good deal?What are competitors? Commodore wagon. Diesel Mondeo or Peugeot 508 wagons. Hyundai also makes a diesel i40 wagon now. Mazda6 is available as a diesel as is the Volkswagen Passat  but the latter four are all smaller. What's under the bonnet? Volkswagen's sterling 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel. Puts out 103kW of power and 320Nm of torque from a low 1750 revs.How does it go? Very well, but the drivetrain is not as smooth as it might be. Gets the 6-speed DSG box instead of the newer 7-speed box due to the higher torque output of the engine. That's a shame because it's not as smooth or well behaved.Is it economical?This is the one area in which the Superb really excels. Fuel economy is a claimed 6.4 litres/100km and this is achievable in real world driving. We were getting 6.2. Is it green?Gets 3.5 stars out of five from the Green Vehicle Guide. The benchmark hybrid Prius sets the pace with 5 stars. Is it safe?Superb gets a full five stars for crash safety. Comes with all the latest technical aids including 9 airbags and electronic stabilitycontrol.Is it comfortable?Roomy with a huge boot and plenty of room in the back seat. Rides and cruises easily and is a great long distance tourer, with the added safety of all-wheel drive.What's it like to drive?Easy to drive but the engine lugs a lot thanks to the transmission. The result is some shuddering and odd noises. The up side of this is excellent fuel economy.Is it value for money?Dual-zone climate, multi-function trip computer, Bluetooth, AUX socket, cruise control, light assistant, front foglights with corner function, rear parking sensors with acoustic warning and optical display, chrome interior trim and a leather package for the four-spoke multi-function steering wheel, gearshift lever and handbrake grip. The wagon also gets the Park Assist parallel parking system which includes front parking sensors. Would we buy one?Yes. Looks better than the sedan. The wagon is a very practical, well equipped alternative to some of the more traditional offerings in our market.

Here's the hardest-working model in the Skoda range. Why? Because it's called Superb and that's a tough badge to carry, but the big Czech does an admirable job. The family wagon range has been expanded to include a new keener-priced model - an all-wheel drive load-lugger with a 103kW/320Nm turbodiesel powerplant that sits in the low-$40,000 range, placed neatly (along with its smaller Octavia sibling) to nibble at the sales of the AWD Subaru Liberty and a few other kid-carters. VALUEAt $43,990, the 103TDI Ambition all-wheel drive model charges a $300 premium over the front-drive model, but the features list also has dual-zone climate control, with rear vents, a decent eight-speaker sound system, Bluetooth phone and audio link, heated front seats, a trip computer, cruise control, power windows and auto-dimming and heated exterior mirrors, auto-dimming centre rearvision mirror, rain-sensing wipers, three 12-volt sockets, a luggage holding system in the large boot and split-fold rear seats.TECHNOLOGY The powerplant is a turbocharged common-rail direct-injection four-cylinder diesel with particle filter and there's plenty to like about it. It uses a common-rail direct injection fuel system that uses high pressure (up to 1800 bar injection pressure) and piezo injectors for quick and accurate direct injection, which Skoda says makes for quiet and efficient fuel use. The drivetrain has the six-speed version of the VW Group's twin-clutch automated manual "DSG" -  while there's been ongoing issues with this transmission it seems to be getting smoother and smarter with every incarnation; we'll reserve judgment on longevity. It operates with the new-gen Haldex AWD system that uses electronic clutch packs to direct drive as it sees fit, predominantly to the front wheels - in normal conditions only 4 per cent heads aft.Skoda says the system quickly responds to send drive to the wheels with the best grip, using wheel and engine speed sensors as well as info from the electronic stability control system - as much as 98 per cent can be sent to the rear wheels if conditions dictate.DESIGN It's conventional looks border on boring until you park it next to a Volkswagen - then it looks almost adventurous. There's not much to say about the exterior beyond it being functional and the same can be largely said for the interior. It shows its family resemblance to the VW group and offers useful in cabin storage and plenty of head and legroom, with the back-seat occupants benefiting in that area as well. The Superb wagon is 65mm shorter, 82mm narrower, 34mm taller and 151mm shorter ni wheelbase than a Commodore Sportwagon, but it's only the width where it feels lacking in comparison to Holden's wagon. Where three adults can sit across the Holden's rear bench, the Superb would be best left to two in the rear. There's ample luggage space - 633 litres according to the company - in the back for those four, all of which can be hidden by a screen and prevented from rolling around in the back by the clever adjustable luggage bar.SAFETY A top-shelf five-star ANCAP safety rating is carried by the Czech wagon, which has dual front, side and curtain (front and rear) and a driver's airbag. The safety features list also includes the clever all-wheel drive system, stability and traction control, fog lights with cornering function, lap-sash seatbelts for all five occupants, parking sensors front and rear, and tyre pressure monitoring. DRIVINGThe VW heritage shines through in the Skoda product and if you can get past the old image of the Czech brand there's much to like about the Superb wagon - space, comfort and efficiency. With 141mm of ground clearance the Superb wagon is not a 4WD, it's an all-wheel drive that runs mainly front wheel drive. That perhaps is not an ideal split given that it has to react to changes in traction, the Haldex system is far better at hiding changes - I'm still a fan of the more even split employed by the likes of Subaru and Audi among others.But fuel economy benefits outweigh (at least in this family truckster side of things) any dynamic payoffs - having shown an average of 7.6 l/100km during its time carting around my brood and their associated paraphernalia, the drivetrain is easy on the 60-litre tank. The two-litre turbodiesel does lend itself to a relaxed driving mode, with 320Nm of torque spread across the bottom half of the tacho - gentle throttle pressure allows the DSG to slip between gears smoothly without being left behind in traffic. Peak power is 103Kw at 4200rpm but it's not really a peak you need to ascend - surf the torque wave, keep the fuel use down and cruise. It can be hustled if required - and keeps it's composure without leaning alarmingly and ride quality (thanks in part to 16in wheels and 55-profile tyres) is still good.VERDICTDwelling in the bottom half of the $40,000 bracket is going to bring it more attention from buyers and that will certainly get more out on the roads - this is a very competent, well-equipped and composed family wagon, delivering a decent drive without breaking the bank at the bowser.Skoda Superb 103TDI AmbitionPrice: from $43,990Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 41% Source: Glass's GuideService Interval: 15,000km or 12-monthsEconomy: 6.5l/100km; 171g/km CO2Safety: Equipment 9 airbags, ABS, EBD, stability and traction  controlCrash rating: 5 starEngine: 103kW/320Nm 2-litre turbocharged common-rail DOHC direct-injection four-cylinderTransmission: six-speed twin-clutch automated manualBody: 5-door, 5 seats Dimensions: 4838mm (L); 1817mm (W); 1510mm (H); 2761mm (WB)Weight: 1700kgTyre size: 205/55 R16 alloy wheels  (full-size spare wheel)Others to considerHolden Commodore Omega SportwagonPrice: from $41,990 Engine: 3-litre, V6 petrol, 190kW/290Nm Trans: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Body: 5-door wagon Thirst: 9.2l/100km, 91RON, CO2 218g/km"All that the sedan is, as well as being better looker than the oldCommodore rep-mobile wagon."Subaru Liberty Sports wagonPrice: from $44,490 Engine: 2.5-litre, flat-four petrol, 123kW/229Nm Trans: CVT automatic, all-wheel driveBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 8.3l/100km, 91RON, CO2 193g/km"The Subaru wagon has always been a popular all-rounder."Ford Mondeo Zetec wagonPrice: $41,240Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 120kW/340NmTrans: 6-speed twin-clutch auto, front-wheel driveBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 6.2L/100km, CO2 165g/km "Dynamically well-sorted and a spacious interior, the diesel is the pick of the Mondeo bunch"Hyundai i40 Elite wagonPrice: from $41,490Engine: 1.7-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel, 100kW/330NmTrans: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel driveBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 6L/100km, CO2 159g/km "A sharp-looking value-for-money kid-carter that will overshadow the sedan"

The Ford Falcon wagon is dead. The Toyota Camry wagon is gone. Some like the Holden Sportswagon still survive, and there are loyal buyers in both the small-car and luxury classes, but the rising tide of SUVs has washed most station wagons out of showrooms.The distinction between the traditional sedan-based station wagons and Australia’s new favourite family freighter has become much more blurred in the past decade or so.However, there are still some important points of difference. And it's worth looking at some of the leading contenders on the rival teams to see what's happening and what works best for you.A sedan-based wagon is usually lighter than a similarly-sized SUV. This means better fuel economy and lower costs for servicing and tyres. It also sits closer to the bitumen, with a lower centre of gravity, so it’s more agile and stable, especially when cornering or in an emergency manoeuvre.However, you don’t enjoy the high-and-mighty driving position, with an unimpeded view of the road, that SUV drivers - and women in particular - cite as one of the breed’s major attractions.Who hasn’t sat in traffic, cursing the SUV blocking your vision? Booming SUV sales indicate more and more people are taking the view that, if I can’t beat ‘em, I may as well join ‘em.It’s a myth that SUVs are more space-efficient than wagons, however most mid-sized models - including the popular Holden Captiva and Ford's Territory - can come with a couple of extra seats in the back, a feature you no longer find in conventional wagons.Kids also love an SUV’s elevated seating position because they can enjoy the scenery, whereas many wagons have low seats and high side window sills, which, for nippers, can be like sitting in a hole.  So they get unhappy. And we know what happens then...Whether you choose a sedan-based wagon or an SUV - an Americanism for Sports Utility Vehicle, incidentally - the good news is that affordable family transport, with five star safety, can now also be an enjoyable drive.Among the wagons, the Commodore VE Series ll Sportwagon, priced from $41,990 for the 190kW, 3.0-litre V6 Omega, is a standout. It looks sensational - which, it must be said, is still a rare thing in wagon world.Recent improvements to drivetrains, including E85 ethanol fuel compatibility, direct fuel inection and a six-speed automatic - plus a flash new dash with hands-free Bluetooth and audi streaming as standard - have re-written the Commodore's technical resume to 21st century standards.Around town, the 3.0-litre V6 averages 12.6L/100km in official tests.  A big serve of additional grunt in the 3.6-litre V6 SV6 Sportwagon, plus tighter suspension, sports seats and other extras, justifies its $45,790 ask, and with a city average of 13.3L/100km, you’re not savagely penalised at the pump.Despite the Commodore's appeal, Ford’s Mondeo and the little-known Skoda Superb are the kings of outright space. Behind the driver’s seat, both are as big as the MCG.  Given their size, the fuel economy from their 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines is amazing.  The 120kW, six-speed automated-manual Mondeo, from $36,840, pulls like a train and averages just 7.7L/100km in town.The Skoda is VW engineering with a Czech badge, making  luxury wagon for half the expected price. The 125kW six-speed automated-manual Superb Ambition is $43,990, with a city average of 8.3L/100km and the 118kW 1.8-litre petrol turbo Ambition, at $40,990, offers respectable performance too, averaging 9.7L/100km.In the SUV showroom, Ford’s Territory, from $39,890, is still one of the best size/price/performance packages available - especially with the inevitable big discount ahead of the facelifted model - but the all-wheel drive’s 17.6L/100km thirst in town is a major disincentive.Later this month, a 140kW 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, which averages 11.6L/100km, goes under the bonnet as part of a major upgrade. It will be worth a test drive.Kia’s Sorento, a classy, competent seven-seater with a brilliant 2.2-litre, 145kW turbodiesel, starts at $39,999, with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Around town, it averages 9.5L/100 kilometres. The five-seater Subaru Outback now has enough interior acreage to keep a family happy.  This blue-chip, made-in-Japan SUV starts at $38,490 for the 123kW 2.5-litre petrol (11.5-litres per 100 kilometres), or $40,490 for a 110kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel, in manual only, with a 7.7- litres per 100 kilometre average.Load Lugger ChecklistRear camera: All cars should have one as standard, especially wagons and SUVs. The Sorento’s is a brilliant design, integrated into the rearview mirror.Curtain airbags: Essential protection against a side impact. In a seven seater, they should extend to all three rows of seats. In the Territory, they don’t.Child restraint anchors: Should be on the back of the rear seat, not in the load floor, or the roof (as in the Outback), where the tether straps get in the wayCargo bay: Check that the extended floor is flat when you fold the back seat, and that you don’t have to push the driver’s seat too far forward.Row-three seats: In SUVs most are pretty small, suitable for little kids only, or short trips. Check access, which should be easiest from the kerb side.Protection: You need some way to secure gear, because in a prang even small objects behind the back seat become lethal missiles. Options include a solid load cover, a net, a roll out mesh barrier, that clips into the roof, or an aftermarket barrier.Want to go off road ... really off road?Try these:Jeep Grand Cherokee from $45,000. The new Laredo 3.6-litre V6 petrol is great value, but the diesel, due in June, will be a better drive. Hard-core off-roading made easy, and the all-new Grand Cherokee is much improved on the bitumen too.Mitsubishi Challenger from $45,000. Lots of Pajero bits in this, with lower starting prices and a competent, if rather coarse, 2.5 turbodiesel. Seven seats from $49,390, a huge cargo bay, and a locking rear differential.Toyota Landcruiser Prado from $55,990. It’s a Toyota 4WD, so it’s pricey, but you get bulletproof reliability, unbeatable resale values and smooth, but leisurely, performance from the 3.0-litre turbodiesel.

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

I can understand why the chauffeur at the airport would rave about Skoda’s new flagship, the Superb. I stepped into the vehicle without paying much attention and mistook it for an Audi A6, although subconsciously registering that it felt narrower.Then I noticed the unusual green logo — looking like a chook's head with an arrow through it or perhaps an anorexic bird on the wing – and realised I was in the Skoda.The instruments and standard of trim and fittings give the illusion of a much more expensive car, hence the A6 impression.The driver said he was thinking of buying a Superb because it looked the part and had good head and leg room. However, he said, it was a bit narrow and would only fit two adults and a child in the rear.It is based on a stretched Passat/Octavia platform, but it's no wider, so it looks too narrow for its length.From behind it appears almost comically out of proportion, an illusion made worse by the strange shape of the boot necessitated by the twin-folding liftback.However, it shares a lot of its VW cousin's pedigree which means it's a lively, but frugal performer with a lithe handling spirit.In a short launch drive through the suburbs and surrounds of Sydney this week, the car proved to be quiet, comfortable and spacious with plenty of leg and head room.It shows plenty of composure over rough surfaces, with a smooth and quiet ride, but the steering feels a little heavy and ponderous, especially in the V6 AWD model.The six and seven-speed DSG transmissions are a proven delight. There is no manual option.Variants and pricing The Superb comes in five models with VW-sourced petrol and diesel powerplants, all with direct fuel injection.The base model 1.8-litre TSI costs $42,990 and comes standard with ESP, dual zone airconditioning, six-CD sound system with touch screen and SD memory card, tyre pressure monitors, cruise control, rear parking sensors, self-retracting wing mirrors and fog lamps.The same engine is also featured in the Elegance model costing $45,990 and adding adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, alarm system, electronic driver's seat and upgraded 10-speaker sound system.The two-litre turbo-diesel engine is also available in the Ambition ($45,990) and Elegance ($48,990) variants.The top-of-the-range 3.6-litre V6 petrol comes in Elegance trim only with Haldex all-wheel-drive and costs $56,990.Equipment Leading the Superb's distinguishing features is its patented ‘Twindoor’ two-part hinged liftback boot.At the flick of a switch on the electro-mechanical lock, the tailgate can act like a normal boot or a large hatchback, revealing an enormous 565-litre, flat-floored, lush-carpeted cargo area that is bigger than the Ford Falcon boot.Under the floor is a full-size spare in the front-wheel-drive models and a space saver in the AWD.Superb is also distinguished by a host of other surprising innovations and quirky technological features.These include headlights that change focal point and spread according to speed and weather conditions (standard in Elegance), fog lamps that automatically light up corners at slow speeds, a rain braking system that dries the discs by bringing the pads into gentle contact with the discs every 3km for three seconds, and nine airbags, including a knee airbag.Options include an affordable self-parking function ($890) and a solar-powered sunroof ($2290) which circulates cabin air to keep the car cool while it is parked in the sun.There's even an umbrella in the rear door; the sort of feature you expect in a Rolls-Royce, not a medium-sized passenger car.Sales and marketSkoda Australia head Matthew Wiesner says he won’t speculate on sales figures, but that they had about 100 in the country with orders "in the teens".He said a wagon version would arrive in early 2010 with the same trim and engine configurations, but would not confirm a sporty RS version.Wiesner said the car would compete against Australian large cars, Japanese medium-sized cars and fellow European models.Skoda is expecting to lift its profile over the next year with the launch of the Superb. It will be followed by a wagon version and an Octavia facelift early next year with a new compact SUV mid-year.Skoda Australia head Matthew Wiesner admitted they had been a one-car company in need of more models."We haven't devoted a lot of time to the Roomster so we've basically been an Octavia car company," he said this week at the launch of the Superb in Sydney."It's a hell of a car, based on the value, innovation and technology," he said."You would be well challenged to find something with such a strong combination."Wiesner said their main challenge was brand awareness.He said that in the 18 months since it relaunched in Australia, customer awareness of the brand as a car company had increased from about 40 to 60 per cent, according to Roy Morgan research.Wiesner said the Superb would help "mature" and "stretch" the brand with its appeal to private buyers, user-choosers and government and corporate fleets."Our customers (for the Superb) are large car users and from corporate and semi-government," he said."They can stick to a large car and still get a diesel."