BEST USED ESTATE CAR SKODA SUPERB ESTATE MK3

OUR PICK Skoda Superb Estate 2016 (16) 1.6 TDI S, 14,459 miles, £12,599

AWARDING the Skoda Superb our Best Used Estate Car award for 2017 was a no brainer. We loved the previous-generation car, and the latest version is even better, mixing all the best bits of the standard Superb hatch with a bigger boot and even more practicality.

Boasting a huge 660-litre load bay with the back seats in place, the Superb is one of the most practical estate cars on the market; fold them down and that figure almost triples to 1,950 litres. But while space is key, this sizeable second-hand Skoda offers more than outright versatility at a very good price.

Even a used model feels like new, given how well the Superb wears; its grown-up driving experience, well built interior and comfortable ride make it a great all-rounder, and there’s limo-like legroom in the rear and plenty of space inside. A strong engine range completes the checklist, with petrol and diesel variants, plus a fairly potent 276bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol.

The entry-level 118bhp 1.6 TDI is economical and fairly refined, and should offer just enough performance for most buyers – it also means you can get into a current shape Superb for an affordable budget. Prices start from £12,599 for S trim, which features air-con, Bluetooth and DAB. It’s not the most luxurious spec, but a used Superb in this trim is worth it.

Launched in 2015, the third-generation car carried over many of the old model’s ‘Simply Clever’ features, such as the umbrellas in the doors and ice scraper hidden in the fuel filler cap. And if you want any more convincing that the Superb is a good buy, it came top in this year’s Driver Power owner satisfaction survey.