Skoda Superb turbo diesel Combi by Bob Nettleton

One of the best large station wagons you can buy south of 100 grand is ironically made by Skoda, a grossly unrated and often much maligned car maker.

Those who still derive pleasure from poking the borax at this company are simply daft or ill informed. Over thirty years ago Skoda’s were rougher than a sheet of coarse grain sand paper and deservedly the butt of plenty of jokes. Since Volkswagen took over the company reigns nearly twenty years ago Skoda has never looked back.

The Skoda distributors here are now advertising more aggressively and it is already paying dividends with its market share up 40 percent on the same time last year. A sharper pricing strategy has also contributed to this resurgence, as well as savvy buyers realising this is a high quality European product that cost about the same as many Japanese models.

This model may be the flagship of the Skoda fleet although this is not reflected in its pricing. You can own one of Europeans finest large cars for well under 50 grand. The entry level 118kw petrol turbo automatic liftback retails for $45,550 with a modest $2,500 premium for the Combi - Skoda speak for station wagon. The Combi provided for this road test was the $51,000 two litre turbo diesel six-speed automatic that really makes compelling buying. What you get is a high quality large Euro wagon at a remarkably low price.

Because this is such a large wagon I had some question marks against the ability of the two-litre turbo diesel to shunt it along with any real conviction. These questions marks were quickly erased after a few kilometres behind the wheel behind the wheel, as the Volkswagen designed 103kw turbo diesel proving more than primed for the task. The real performance kicker for this motor is the six-cylinder like wad of torque it delivers strong crisp acceleration from around 1,750 rpm. Skoda claim a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of around 9.0 seconds- snappy enough for a smallish diesel propelling a largish wagon.

When it comes to refinement this diesel has it nailed. At open road speeds its whisper quiet. Even the typically rowdy clatter that is the signature tune of diesels at idle is largely absent with this motor. Those wanting even more diesel kick from their combi can for an extra $11,000, option a pumped125kw version of the engine used in the test vehicle. I would sooner pass on its increased dash and pocket the extra cash, as the cheaper 103kw motor fires more than enough performance shots to keep most owners happy most of the time.

Behind every good engine there is a highly effective transmission and the Superb has one of the best with a six-speed DSG auto pocketed from the Volkswagen parts bin. Its gear changes are smooth and well timed while the manual tip shift mode carves through the ratios with speed and precision, giving drivers the best of both gear changing worlds.

The new Superb ticks all the boxes plus some if you after a full sized luxury wagon.  Every car maker strives for a point of difference with their models that makes them more appealing that their rivals. For the superb combi it’s the astonishing amount of cabin and load space, with rear leg room that would rival a limousine, while the amount of cargo area is almost warehouse like.

Safety and luxury equipment specifications are predictably Superb with 9 airbags, ESP, a vehicle immobiliser with alarm, dual-zone climate air conditioning, full leather upholstery, 17” alloys and 6-CD touch screen stereo with 10 speakers.

As a large well appointed wagon is pretty much the complete package with the added bonus of eye catching good looks. Its lines are more cohesive and have a more natural flow than its rather awkwardly styled liftback sibling.

For a luxury wagon heavy weight this one makes surprisingly light work of twisty and undulating roads. Body roll is well contained and the chunky tyres provide plenty of bite and in tandem with the suspension deliver almost un-large- wagon like levels of grip through tight corners. Skoda has struck just the right balance good road holding and ride comfort, and that is a real achievement in wagon of this size.  

What’s the verdict? Skoda has produced a large station wagon with plenty of performance, space and refinement that sells for a superb price, compared to most of its European rivals.