The 2015 update of the Skoda Superb certainly looks like a car that should cost several thousand pounds more than it does. Thanks to the sleek Vision C concept, unveiled at the Geneva motor show last year, Skoda's design teams have produced a car that compares well to the big Teutonic premium cars out there – at least in terms of looks.

Ride Comfort and Handling

But what's the Superb like to drive? The United Kingdom's motoring press have been getting behind the wheel of this big Czech car to find out. Since all Skodas now share parent company Volkswagen's modular MQB architecture, many reviewers are unsurprised by similarities to its German cousins in relation to ride comfort and handling.

In terms of the former, the Superb gets the thumbs up; supple suspension (the same on all Superbs) turns even the holiest of pot-holed roads into relatively minor motoring adversaries. And regarding the latter, when driven properly, auto pundits suggest the Superb offers excellent grip and assertive steering.

Engines

VW Group's range of engines are well-matched to their respective Superbs. The 148bhp 1.4-litre turbo petrol delivers more than enough power for this big car, as does the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The meatier 187bhp version only suffers from a little unwanted combustion noise.

Space

Space-wise, the 2015 Superb compares well with its rivals. Few of us would need more than the 650-litres available here, but if we did, a simple push of the rear split bench and a cavernous 1,760-litre area can be accessed. The Ford Mondeo fields 323-litres less than this.

Fuel Economy

None of the new Superbs are revolutionary in terms of emissions or fuel economy, but they still do their bit for the environment while keeping petrol costs down. A fleet driver might be drawn to the 114g/km, 16 per cent BIK-rated 1.6 TDI Greenline model.

Entertainment and Extras

Thanks to its association with Volkswagen, the new Superb is endowed with a range of useful and fun gizmos. Along with a new entertainment system, the 2015 update gets safety radars, cameras and a DAB radio. It also boasts umbrellas in the doors and ice picks around the fuel filler!

While all five Superbs get VW safety systems, only further up the range do you get adaptive cruise control and dual-zone climate control. If you must have Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which controls steering, throttle sensitivity and suspension with three settings (Comfort, Normal and Sport), and if you can’t do without parking, blind spot and motorway lane monitoring systems – then you should opt for the top 3.6-litre V6 model.

Rivals and Value for Money

Some have likened the 2015 Superb to an everyman's Mercedes Benz C-Class or Audi A4 – or a longer version of the VW Passat. Any way you look at it, the new Superb offers near-premium levels of handling, comfort and space – for a price that represents exceptional value for money.

Price: £18,640-£34,505

Available: June (first deliveries September)

Verdict run-down