SKODA SUPERB Mk2
OUR PICK 2013 (63) 2.0 TDI SE, 32,000 miles, £12,690
IN this category, space reigns supreme – and few models offer more room than Skoda’s cavernous Superb Estate. But it’s not just about a big boot and vast cabin. The Superb is the ultimate all-rounder; it’s beautifully built, great to drive, well equipped and cheap to run, and as this Mk2 car has just been replaced, used prices are keener than ever.
It’s the Skoda’s family credentials that shine the brightest, though. Occupants in the back are treated to limousine levels of legroom, while the boot boasts a van-like 633 litres of space, which expands to a whopping 1,865 litres with the seats folded flat.
This second-generation model was facelifted in 2013, when the front and rear bumpers were totally redesigned and LED running lights added. There were also new trim options and colour schemes. Equipment is already good in the entry-level S spec, with cruise control as standard, but upgrade to the SE and you get remote control audio, a CD multi-changer, lumbar support, parking sensors and leather seat trim.
The family will also enjoy the raft of Skoda’s hidden features, including a rechargeable torch in the boot, an air-conditioned glovebox and an umbrella concealed in the door. Naturally from a VW Group car, there’s a range of refined engines. The line-up was tweaked in 2013, including the addition of stop/start technology, which helped boost efficiency by around 19 per cent. The best engine is the 138bhp 2.0 TDI, which has bags of pulling power, and claims economy of up to 60mpg.
Yet whichever model you choose, you’re guaranteed a hassle-free ownership experience – the Mk2 Superb is a past winner of our Driver Power satisfaction survey and still ranked in the top 20 this year, with impressive scores for build quality, practicality and running costs.
“THE Skoda dealer network ranks very highly for the quality of its service in the Auto Express Driver Power survey, proving that the stigma once attached to the brand is now long gone. And when you add a low average repair cost of just under £400, the Superb Mk2 is a good choice for anyone wanting a midsized family car. Warrantywise sold 160 Superb extended warranties, and 40 per cent of policyholders made a claim.”
Beautifully built, great to drive, well equipped and cheap to run, the Skoda is the ultimate all-rounder