Here the Superb recovers a lot of its composure. The driving position is as good as you’d expect given its Passat heritage and the wheel adjusts for both reach and rake. The minor controls are well laid out and feel like quality items when used. Only the dials look a little odd and are harder to read than is necessary.
But it is those in the back that will really see the sense in the Superb. Headroom is by no means exceptional but leg-room is truly limousine-like. Even those in the front will benefit from never having to compromise their ideal seating position or being kicked in the small of the back by their children. The boot is fairly large too, though with neither a hatch nor folding rear seats, what you see is what you get. At least it has little hooks you can pull down and hang bags on to stop your shopping distributing itself across the boot floor.
Another nice touch is the umbrella concealed within the ultra-long rear door. Rolls-Royce made much of this feature when it was included on their new Phantom while omitting to mention it was Skoda who first thought of it.
Engine noise aside, refinement levels are actually very good: modest tyre width means there’s little road roar, while wind noise is impressively muted at all speeds compatible with the retention of your driving licence.
The Superb is also notably well built given its exceptionally modest price while the quality of the interior would pass muster in a car costing many thousands more.
Just don’t expect a load of equipment at this bargain basement price. You get electric windows and mirrors of course, but even alloy wheels are optional (and essential if you’re to have a hope of selling it). You’ll pay extra for metallic paint and cruise control though you do at least get the full suite of front and side airbags as standard.