Skoda Superb Estate road test: Efficient and effortless

With prices from under £20,000 its combination of comfort, low running costs and sheer space set the standard in its class, and indeed leave manufacturers of cars at twice the price somewhat red-faced.

It isn't only the critics and fleet managers who are impressed by the Superb: while overall sales are still overshadowed by the enduringly popular Fabia and Octavia, the Skoda flagship's figures are up by a staggering 80 per cent.

Space is the Superb's forte. The rear seats easily accommodate three adults and with an impressive 157mm of rear leg room there's little to compare outside the world of stretched limos. Then there's the estate's 595 litres of cargo space – stretching to 1,950 litres with the rear seats folded.

While it sits on the same platform as the Superb hatch, the estate is actually 47mm wider, too, for even more shoulder room.

The wheelbase is stretched by 80mm, so that the estate – which shares the same sculpted lines as the hatchback – looks long, low and purposeful, with minimal overhangs. It helps to make best use of interior space and improves the larger car's handling characteristics. The styling works so well it almost belies the sheer practicality of this serious load-lugger.

The test car rejoiced in the rather unwieldy name of SEL Executive Greenline trim, which basically means that at £26,715 it comes with a high specification but its accent is nevertheless firmly on fuel and tax efficiency.

Powered by a 1.6 litre, 120PS turbo diesel it claims an average economy figure of 76.4mpg and a tax-busting 95g/km of CO2 emissions – so no VED and low benefit-in-kind rating. That figure is, for a car of this size, pretty staggering: around 60mpg is probably a little more realistic in real-world driving, but it's still impressive.

Its 0 to 62mph time is 11.1 seconds but that may be a little misleading: after all, who buys a big estate to take part in the traffic lights grand prix. What is more important is that the 250Nm of torque from just 1,600rpm, provides plenty of pulling power from low speeds, flexibility through the gears and flowing, relaxed progress,

Driving is effortless, and the estate never feels its true size as you thread your way along winding rural roads.

There are other engine options, of course, including turbocharged petrol units producing from 125 to a whopping 280PS (the latter reserved for the all-wheel drive Superb variant). There also 2.0 litre diesel options, with power outputs from 150 to 190PS. Some of those offer more rapid acceleration, but none match the 1.6TDi Greenline's economy figures, zero road tax and lowest (19 per cent) company car tax, which may make it the top choice for fleets.

The test car's equipment list is a long one, with 17-inch alloys, seven airbags, dual zone climate control, electric windows and door mirrors, and electrically powered tailgate, rear parking sensors, headlamp washers and an eight-inch colour touchscreen for the satnav, audio and connectivity systems.

It also comes with adaptive cruise control, a radar-based system which helps to keep you a safe distance from the car in front: when traffic slows, so do you, and when it moves freely again you accelerate to your chosen setting. If you're not using it, for example around town, there's a front assist system with emergency braking to prevent rear-end shunts.

There is also a full range of electronic safety systems, from stability and traction programmes to hill hold assist and cornering brake control.

The top specification, most powerful and four wheel drive Superb Estate costs almost £36,000 which may sound expensive but in comparative terms it still has the competition beaten. But at entry level, for £19,840 (£800 more than the equivalent hatchback) the estate's combination of space, comfort and practicality offer great value for money: you could pay more for a modest family hatchback. The Greenline costs more but promises considerably reduced running costs in tax and fuel.

Given its qualities it comes as no surprise that the car has already won numerous best estate and car of the year titles. It even has the canine vote – specially adapted versions are now being used as police dog carriers.