Škoda Superb Estate

Škodas of old were cars to avoid. But we need to get it out of our head that it's a budget brand today, because many of its cars are class-leading or close!

Take the Superb Estate, for instance. Its 660-litre boot is unbeatable. The BMW 5 Series Touring offers 100 litres less, the Audi A6 Avant offers 95 litres less and the mighty Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate offers 60 litres less. Even the giant Range Rover offers just 550 litres in SWB and LWB guise. Out of these cars, it's only the Range Rover that able to beat the Superb Estate's boot volume with the seats folded down, but remember, it's in a completely different category. It's a huge luxury SUV, not a humble estate. (For reference, the Škoda's overall capacity is 1950 litres).

On the subject of the Škoda Superb Estate, it's available in 5 trim levels and starts off at £19,840. Just incase you didn't know, that's astonishing. The cheapest estate from the list above is the 5 Series Touring at £33,065. Even the 3 Series Touring, a whole category below, starts at £25,570.

Ok, so you're still thinking this is a budget brand, aren't you?  The standard spec isn't up to that of the Germans, but it's still very impressive and for what it costs it's not surprising that it has become a popular motorway cruiser for company car drivers and long-distance commuters alike.

Standard S models come with 16-inch alloys, halogen headlights with daytime running lights, front fog lights, LED tail lights, an electric parking brake and DAB digital radio.

SE models come with 17-inch alloys, lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, electrically folding door mirrors, rear parking sensors and an upgraded Bolero radio with a 6.5-inch touchscreen which incorporated USB and SD connectivity with SmartLink - this means you can connect your smartphone to access apps through the screen using CarPlay and Android Auto.

SE Business is £400 more than SE and adds Alcantara upholstery, front parking sensors and an Amundsen sat nav.

SE L Executive is just over £5,500 above the base price and adds 18-inch alloys, bi-xenon headlights, an electrically operated tailgate, heated front seats with an electric driver's seat, leather upholstery and heated front seats.

If you want heated rear seats, fret not. Top-of-the-range Laurin & Klement models have those as well as a 10-speaker CANTON audio system, a heated windscreen, tri-zone climate control and keyless entry and start.

No, the badge isn't as desirable as that of its German rivals. Saying that, the highest spec Laurin & Klement comes in a £31,840, that's £1,225 less than the base model 5 Series Touring.

Your options for engines are as follows: 1.4 TSI (125 and 150 PS), 2.0 TSI (220 and 280 PS), 1.6 TDI (120 PS) and 2.0 TDI (150 PS). Believe it or not, you can even have 4x4 models!