Škoda at the Geneva Motor Show

The most important aspect of the VisionS concept is its 6 seats spread across 3 rows. It sits on a 2.79 metre wheelbase (not too dissimilar from the Land Rover Discovery Sport's 2.74 metres). It sits on the scalable MQB platform, meaning that many of its underpinnings are shared with Volkswagen's Tiguan.

This particular car uses a hybrid setup with a total system output of 222 bhp. It's good for 0-62 mph in 7.4 seconds, and Škoda claims it will use 1.9 litres of petrol to cover 62 miles. That's about £2 with current petrol prices. A 30-mile electric-only range and CO2 emissions of 49 g/km are also enticing.

A 154 bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is paired with a 54 bhp electric motor that's integrated into the 6-speed smooth shifting DSG automatic which drives the front wheels. A further 114 bhp is given by the second electric motor on the rear axle, giving the VisionS what Škoda calls a "smart four-wheel drive" system. Total torque figures for the petrol engine, front and rear electric motors are 250, 220 and 270 Nm respectively.

Introducing the VisionS could either mean that Škoda is hinting at a new SUV to join SEAT's Ateca, a new hybrid powertrain, or both. Even better, both in one!

Also debuting at Geneva will be the Octavia vRS 4x4. Its 182 bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine will make the saloon good for 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds. It will also achieve a claimed 57.6 mpg and emit 129 g/km of CO2. The vRS 4x4 will also be available in estate guise.

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!

Škoda Rapid Spaceback

The Škoda Rapid Spaceback is £1,150 more expensive than the Škoda Rapid and it has less boot space. So why should you pick the Spaceback model? Because it looks a lot better!

There are a variety of 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with CO2 emissions ranging from 99 g/km (1.6 TDI GreenLine) to 134 g/km (1.4 TSI with DSG gearbox), and combined fuel efficiency ranging between 48.7 mpg (1.4 TSI with DSG gearbox) and 74.3 mpg (1.6 TDI GreenLine). The 1.4 TSI engine produces 122 PS, making it the quickest to 62 mph of the range (9.4 seconds). A 7 speed DSG gearbox is offered with quick and smooth shifts as well as 5- and 6-speed manual 'boxes.

Despite keeping the same wheelbase of 2602 mm, the Spaceback is slightly shorter (17.9 cm) than the regular Rapid.

The Amundsen sat nav is standard on SE Tech and SE Sport with pre-loaded Western European maps.

As regards armrests, the front armrest with a storage compartment is standard on SE Tech and SE Sport, but optional on S and GreenLine trims. The rear armrest with drink holders and a clever pass through door is only available as an option, and that only on SE Tech and SE Sport models. A glasses compartment near the rear-view mirror is only standard on SE Tech. If you want a USB to connect your iPod, mp3 player or phone to, go for SE Tech or SE Sport, or add it as an option on S - it's called the MDI (mobile device interface).  Certain luxuries like the front headlight washers are also only optional on SE Tech and SE Sport. It becomes obvious then, that the base-model S trim is certainly one to avoid, and so is GreenLine unless you're looking to save a little cash on road tax and fuel. One thing I do like is the removable ice scraper which is hidden in the fuel filler cap, which is standard on all models. It's a very thoughtful feature.

There are no leather upholstery options for the Spaceback, and entry-level S comes with 15" 'Dakara' steel wheels, although you can upgrade to 15" 'Carme' alloys. A vast array of colours is offered, a whole 13 options to be precise, although you do have to pay a premium for metallic, pearl and special colours.

Škoda claims that its Rapid Spaceback belongs to the high-volume compact segment. What does that translate to in familiar English? It's basically a large family hatchback, up against the Toyota Auris, Hyundai i30, Kia Cee'd, Mazda 3, Volvo V40 and Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback. If it were more upmarket, it'd be playing against the Audi A3 Sportback.

Here's how I would spec my Škoda Rapid Spaceback.