Skoda Superb Estate
There is a sound business case for buying a brand-new Superb Estate because it trounces the opposition from Ford and Vauxhall for kit, sheer space and, some would say, quality.
But that case gets even stronger with a used one. Not only does the value for money argument still apply, but a used Superb also seems so much more special and covetable. It’s a bargain-basement Audi A6, an alternate-reality Bentley Bentayga or a not-dull Volkswagen Passat.
Those are the obvious snobby motives for buying one, but the practical reasons to consider a Superb are almost overwhelming. Whereas you can compare the Superb’s price with those of small family estates, what you have here is something overwhelmingly gigantic. That is a good thing to have when you want to shift stuff. If you fold the rear seats down, you have a van – and a big one at that. Even with the rear seats in use, there’s a great big 595-litre load space, a low loading lip and bags of leg room for rear passengers too.
The spaciousness of the Superb means that former owners are often of the private hire variety. That is both good and bad news. It means that if the car has a starship mileage, it should be in decent enough mechanical condition – provided, of course, the service history checks out and any high-wear items have been replaced. Perhaps the biggest concern is whether any damage is just wear and tear or rather more serious.
Buyers need to choose their engines and spec carefully. Like many Volkswagen Group products, there is a large choice of diesels and petrols. With an eye to an uncertain diesel future, you can even buy a small petrol 1.4 TSI unit that is perky enough, although the 1.6 is better. Mostly, though, you will be looking at diesel models and the 2.0 TDI 170 is our sort of enthusiastic engine. You should get around 50mpg and that helps to keep running costs reasonable. The Greenline II model is the full-on economy purchase.
There are loads of trim levels, too. S is standard Superb spec, but you get just about everything anyway. Elegance is probably the one that gives you the best mix of goodies.
The Superb is a luxury load-hauler for not much money at all and almost the perfect used motor.
The Superb is a luxury load-hauler for not much money at all