If you want space in a car then you just have to consider the new Skoda Superb. There simply is no other car on the market that brings together the balance of space with competitive pricing and running costs.

You have to drive the Superb to get the full impact of the space within the car. With this new third-generation Superb the car is bigger, more modern and packed with additional features to make it more comfortable to drive.

The 2.0 litre turbo-diesel engine is the engine of choice for me. This allows the big car to achieve its best when it comes to on-road comfort and driveability. Volkswagen fits a very similar engine in the new generation Passat.

The performance figures are almost identical, even though the Superb feels such a bigger car. There’s virtually nothing to separate them in terms of performance and economy.

That’s even if the Superb was 40% poorer in economy terms than the Skoda-rated figure. It still meant that with some longer journeys I was able to come home with a range of more than 1,000km from the car’s 66l fuel tank.

That to me is a good measure of the value that the Superb offers. When you couple that with a low 108g/km CO2 rating, then this Superb has to be a very low-cost car to run.

There is little to separate the Superb from the Passat in terms of performance and the pricing is merging now too. So once again it’s a space thing, and here the Superb wins out against all comers, even the big Ford Mondeo.

Room to move

So while against the measuring tape it is a little shorter than the Mondeo, it has far more legroom, especially for the rear passengers. And the Superb boot area, with the large hatchback-type opening gives acres of load space. You have to see it to believe that it has 20% more load space over the Mondeo.

While it’s big on the inside and very spacious, it doesn’t feel too big on the outside. This is a comfortable car to drive, and I found it easy to get used to its overall dimensions.

Hi-tech travel

And now Skoda has added more technology to the car. This includes a variety of custom-built applications that drivers can use to transfer data from their car directly to their smartphones.

The system also allows drivers to control smartphone applications from their car dashboard. The system has connectivity with both Apple and Android via SmartLink technology. Skoda retains the facility to insert an SD card for storage and playing of music files.

There are a number of USB ports to allow you to connect and charge external storage devices and phones, and the car comes with Bluetooth audio streaming.

Skoda’s new SmartGate technology allows the driver to see the performance and economy data from the car’s electronic control unit using special apps created by Skoda. I found it interesting that you could convert the car into a WiFi zone and use it to connect other mobile devices to the outside world.

I’m just not sure how much of this technology Irish drivers will use. Individual drivers can have the flexibility to pick and choose from this technology menu for entertainment or for work. It is surprising how impressive it is when you have a particular application, such as using a phone to send or receive larger information files.

Safety first

The new Superb features a range of new assistance systems that provide a new level of safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. This third-generation model has seven airbags (front side, curtain and driver’s knee) as standard and there are Iso-Fix couplings in the rear seats for two children.

The Superb’s safety assistance systems support the driver across a range of traffic situations, from keeping at a safe distance and staying in lane, to emergency braking in the case of an impending collision.

The cars come with a full-size spare wheel and are prepared for fitting a tow bar. The test car was a grade up from the entry model and it was fitted with a very handy reversing camera, which is probably one of the useful extras to have for a car of this size.

Great all-round value

Skoda Superb cars seem to be holding their values well, with low depreciation costs, which make this a very cost-effective large car to own. It has load space, passenger space and good towing ability all wrapped up in a more modern looking car that gives ownership value.

The entry prices for the 2.0 litre Superb start at €32,555 or £22,090 in Northern Ireland. Prices have increased marginally since the car was launched, just another sign of creeping up car prices as the market starts to improve. Check the Superb value and you’ll be impressed as its Superb more than in name.

Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI

Engine 2.0 litre

Engine power 150hp

0 – 100km/hr 8.8 seconds

Economy 24.4km/litre

Fuel tank capacity 66 litres

CO2 emissions 108g/km

Road tax band A3 (€190)

Main service 20,000k

Euro NCAP rating 5 star (2015)

Towing rating 2000kg

Warranty Three years /100,000km