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Estate

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

SUPERB

The Skoda Superb Estate provides huge space, but not at a huge price on the used car market. The cabin is classy, and the driving experience is relaxed. Shame it's not a little cleverer.

Used Skoda Superb Estate 2008 - 2015

Used Superb buyers get masses of car for their money. Fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions are respectable, and the turbodiesels are impressively frugal.

Our favourite 1.4 TSI model is capable of 40mpg and emits just 157g/km CO2 so is cheap to tax, too. The 2.0 TDI 170bhp 4x4 manages 44mpg, but will demand a higher price on the forecourt. Conversely, prices will be cheapest on larger petrol models.

The 1.6 TDI Greenline II model makes a lot of sense if you do a lot of miles because of its low CO2 emissions, but was introduced in January 2011 so prices remain high.

Some people think of Skoda as Volkswagen's poor relation, but the Superb makes a mockery of that assumption. It has classy soft-touch plastics on the surfaces you touch most frequently and the build feels impressively solid.

The Skoda Superb Estate provides huge space, but not at a huge price on the used car market. The cabin is classy, and the driving experience is relaxed. Shame it's not a little cleverer.

The 123bhp 1.4 TSI petrol engine isn't as slovenly as it sounds, but it will struggle to pull a heavy load. The pokier 1.8 TSIs, with 150- or 158bhp, are better, but don't go near the thirsty 256bhp 3.6 V6.

The diesels are popular: we recommend the 138bhp 2.0 TDI as it has plenty of punch. The 168bhp version is stronger still, but more expensive. The fuel-sipping 1.6 TDI diesel models are adequate unless there's a full load onboard.

S trim forms the entry point for the Superb Estate range, and these cars come with all the basics: alloys, air-conditioning, four powered windows, remote locking and a CD stereo with MP3 socket.

Stepping up to SE trim provides Alcantara upholstery, cruise and climate controls, a CD changer and parking sensors, to which SE Plus adds touch-screen sat-nav and Bluetooth. Elegance trim adds xenon headlamps, leather upholstery and rain-sensing wipers.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

We've heard reports of clutches and flywheels failing, but these are rare, as Skoda also has an excellent record in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, and the mechanicals should prove hardy and long-lasting.

There have also been complaints of excessive tyre wear, so make sure to check wheel tracking and the tyres' tread depth before buying.

Some have pointed out that the fuel filler cap and fuel flap are flimsy, so check there's no damage to either and that they function fully.

There are a few reports of paint coming away on bumpers after four years, so give the car a through check over and have any rough patches sorted before handing over any cash.

The Superb Estate's ride can feel a little lumpy at low speeds, but it improves as you go faster and it feels wonderfully smooth and settled on the motorway, so it's a great cruiser. True, the car feels a little wallowy through bends, but there's plenty of grip to make you feel secure and the steering is accurate.

The Superb isolates wind and road noise really well. You'll hear the suspension working over bumps, but it's not disturbing. The TDI diesel engines are the latest-generation common-rail units, so are nice and refined. The petrols, too, are smooth and quiet, but you'll have to push hard with the 1.4.

The Superb's dashboard lives up to the car's name. It's clutter-free, clearly labelled and simple to navigate. The ventilation system is also easy to use and the touch-screen stereo that you get on most models is simple to operate. Two-way steering-wheel adjustment and driver's seat-height adjustment are standard, so it's easy to make yourself comfortable.

As you'd expect, the boot in the Superb Estate is enormous. There are a range of hooks and lashing points for extra practicality, and you can specify a sliding floor that extends over the rear bumper. It's a pity that the back seats aren't cleverer, because you get a stepped load area when they are folded. As in the hatchback version, passenger space is enormous.

Used Skoda Superb Estate 2008 - 2015 reliability

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Used Skoda Superb Estate 2008 - 2015 review

We've heard reports of clutches and flywheels failing, but these are rare, as Skoda also has an excellent record in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, and the mechanicals should prove hardy and long-lasting.,There have also been complaints of excessive tyre wear, so make sure to check wheel tracking and the tyres' tread depth before buying.,Some have pointed out that the fuel filler cap and fuel flap are flimsy, so check there's no damage to either and that they function fully.There are a few reports of paint coming away on bumpers after four years, so give the car a through check over and have any rough patches sorted before handing over any cash.

What to look for when buying a Skoda Superb 2008 - 2015, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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