Space and comfort in Superb package

Skoda has transformed its top-of-the-range Superb into a machine that blends space, comfort and luxury into an affordable package. This is more than an upgrade from the older model - this new Superb is a brand new car with some novel features and acres of space. I took the diesel-powered Ambition version of the Superb on a recent test drive and, yes, I was bowled over by the car. It"s big, spacious and very comfortable; they were my first impressions at least. Some people would put the Superb in the same segment as the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat or Toyota Avensis. To me, this is a much bigger car, even bigger than the Mondeo and it comes with more engine power. This is a car that I imagine any driver would get to love - and quickly. The test car was fitted with the new 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine that"s rated at 170bhp. A less powerful version, using the same engine and generating 140bhp, is also available at a slightly lower price. And this is the car that compares best with the competition in terms of the most popular cars in the D segment. Either model has the same spaciousness and comfort. The rear seat passengers get a real legroom treat in this car. And there is adequate room for three, with no legroom or elbow room compromises needed. And then there"s that big boot. It has huge capacity and a novel two-way opening system. This is a Skoda-patented idea, which allows it to be used as either a saloon-type car with a short opening boot or a hatchback for really big loads. The boot system is easy to use, requiring not a strenuous effort and the load capacity is huge. The big boot space does not encroach on the car"s interior room either. I liked the Superb for its power and comfort, too. The 170bhp diesel engine has loads of power and can achieve a 0 to 100km/h rating of 8.8 seconds. That"s impressive for a big diesel car. Opt for the lower power version and you drop almost two seconds from this time, with a small difference in fuel economy. The higher-powered version delivers a marginally better economy level as well as pace, probably as it uses the fuel more efficiently. But, in truth, it will be difficult to see a difference in them on the road both hovering around 5.8 litres/100km (48mpg). Both have six-speed gearboxes to maximise cruising ability on bigger roads. Both cars are almost a match in terms of CO2 ratings at 153g/km. That puts them into Band C with a competitive annual road tax cost of just €302. The new Superb is a very comfortable car to drive, but it"s big. The wheelbase is 2.76 metres, longer than most cars in this segment. It"s slightly shorter than the wheelbase of the Ford Mondeo at 2.85 metres. Overall, the Skoda is slightly shorter than the Ford Mondeo on the outside but the Skoda team has packed more space into the vehicle to give a roomy feeling to the car. The rear legroom is the real proof of this, giving the car a feeling of spaciousness. The size does not make the car unwieldy. I found that it was easy to drive with a firm stance on the road and good steering control. You"ll notice its size most of all in a shopping centre car park where, like the Mondeo, you"ll find that its nose sticks out from the designated parking slot. The interior of the car is well fitted-out. The controls are easy to use, logical and simple. The radio is big, with a touch-screen control that"s a size that your fingers can use and eyes can read. Skoda has not spared the safety options, which includes electronic stability programme (ESP) on all models. The Supe rb has seven airbags, including front driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags and now a driver"s knee airbag. The Superb came out well of its EuroNCAP crash tests, where it scored a five-star rating for occupant safety. The car is also a big puller with a maximum towing rating of 1.8 tonnes with a braked trailer. The Superb 2.0 TDI has also won the overall title as the best towcar in the UK Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2009. Entry prices for the diesel models start at €26,100 for the 1.9 litre Greenline models. The 170bhp test car came with a relatively high specification and was priced at €32,330. So, there"s value to be had, depending on your needs. There"s no doubting the space and comfort, no matter what power level you opt for. But it has to be diesel power where the new 2.0 litre engines give the lowest emissions and, longer-term, are better value. The Superb is aptly named. This Skoda brings space, value and build quality to a whole new level. It"s a car to go places in and it"s going places.