Skoda knows a thing or two about building practical and versatile estate cars .
. The previous-generation Superb was one of the biggest family holdalls on sale, and the all-new model aims to build on its reputation.
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Not only does the new Superb Estatehave more space, it’s packed with useful touches to make the most of the room available. Power is from a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, while it’s also been given a style makeover.
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But it isn’t the only new estate on the block, as Toyota’s just launched the updated Avensis Touring Sports. It, too, has been given a design update, plus more efficient engines and safety tech.
To find out how these new cars perform, we’ve lined them up against our current champ: the Volkswagen Passat.
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We test all three in their respective business trims with 1.6-litre diesel power, so we’ll be paying close attention to their running costs, as well as their practical sides.
Click the links above to read individual reviews, and scroll down to see which load-lugger is best in this test...
Head-to-head
Boot space
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Skoda wins the space race with its long wheelbase, which gives a load capacity of 660 litres, or 1,950 litres with the seats folded. The Passatserves up 650 and 1,780 litres respectively, while the Avensistrails in third with 543 or 1,609 litres. But those cars have an advantage over the Superbdue to their flush floors with the back seats folded.
Neat touches
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Skoda has filled the Superb with lots of handy features. The familiar ice scraper is attached to the fuel cap, and an umbrella is stored in each front door. The boot light becomes a torch and the front cup-holder has a grippy rubber base so you can twist open a bottle cap single-handedly.
Tax costs
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The lowest P11D price and a 19 per cent Benefit in Kind rating combine to make the Skoda the cheapest company car. Higher-rate earners will pay £1,728 in tax, compared to £1,850 for the Toyotaand £1,946 for the VW. The Superb has a similar level of kit, too.
Verdict
1st place: Skoda Superb Estate
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It’s a bit of a cliché, but the Superb Estatereally is a superb estate. The sheer amount of boot and passenger space is attractive in its own right, but Skoda has added so many useful touches that really set the latest family car apart. Combine this with sharp new looks, low running costs and an attractive price tag, and the practical new Superb is a winner for private and fleet buyers alike.
2nd: VW Passat Estate
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The latest Superb proves that whatever VW can do, Skoda can do better. While the Passat Estateis still a versatile, spacious, comfortable and user-friendly family car, it’s edged in nearly every area by its cousin. The VW makes up for its slightly smaller boot by offering a flat floor with the seats folded, but this is cancelled out by the Passat’s higher asking price.
3rd place: Toyota Avensis Touring Sports
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With cleaner engines, a better cabin layout, improved driving dynamics and, more importantly, loads of safety kit, the Avensis Touring Sportsis a distinct step up over its predecessor. However, the car’s fundamental design remains unchanged, so boot and cabin space trail both rivals here, and the Toyota is still no match for fun behind the wheel.
Other options for similar money
New: Mazda 6 Tourer 2.2D (150) SE Nav
Price: £23,795 Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl, 148bhp
Lower-powered Mazda 6 Toureris 30bhp more potent than the Superb, while 110g/km emissions mean tax costs fall between the VW and Toyota. Extra power aids towing, plus sharp chassis makes for fun driving.
Used: Mercedes E220 CDI SE Estate
Price: £22,750 Engine: 2.1-litre 4cyl, 175bhp
If you want a Superb-rivalling boot, and you’re prepared to buy used, try the E-Class Estate. Its 695-litre load area rises to 1,950 litres. We found a 26,000-mile facelift model with loads of kit for under £23,000.
Key specs: Skoda Superb Estate 1.6 TDI SE Business VW Passat Estate 1.6 TDI SE Business Toyota Avensis Touring Sports 1.6 D-4D Business Ed On the road price/total as tested £22,790/£31,195 £25,665/£25,665 £23,175/£23,670 Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000) £11,400/50.0% £11,755/45.8% £9,525/41.1% Depreciation £11,390 £13,910 £13,650 Annual tax liability std/higher rate £864/£1,728 £973/£ 1,946 £925/£1,850 Annual fuel cost (12k/20k miles) £1,175/£1,958 £1,201/£2,002 £1,302/£2,170 Ins. group/quote/road tax band/cost 13/£624/B/£20 12/£652/B/£20 12/£646/B/£20 Cost of 1st/2nd/3rd service £479 (3yrs/30k) £288 (2yrs) £169/£239/£169 Length/wheelbase 4,856/2,841mm 4,767/2,791mm 4,820/2,700mm Height/width 1,477/1,864mm 1,477/1,832mm 1,480/1,810mm Engine 4cyl in-line/1,598cc 4cyl in-line/1,598cc 4cyl in-line/1,598cc Peak power/revs 118/3,500 bhp/rpm 118/3,600 bhp/rpm 110/4,000 bhp/rpm Peak torque/revs 250/1,500 Nm/rpm 250/1,750 Nm/rpm 270/1,750 Nm/rpm Transmission 6-spd man/fwd 6-spd man/fwd 6-spd man/fwd Fuel tank capacity/spare wheel 66 litres/£100 59 litres/£195 60 litres/space saver Boot capacity (seats up/down) 660/1,950 litres 650/1,780 litres 543/1,609 litres Kerbweight/payload/towing weight 1,410/640/1,500kg 1,410/650/1,500kg 1,505/535/1,600kg Turning circle 11.1 metres 11.7 metres 10.8 metres Basic warranty (miles)/recovery 3yrs (60,000)/3yrs 3yrs (60,000)/1yr 5yrs (100,000)/1yr Service intervals/UK dealers Variable/135 Variable/223 12,500 miles (1yr)/181 Driver Power manufacturer/dealer pos. 3rd/7th 22nd/30th 8th/2nd Euro NCAP: Adult/child/ped./stars 86/86/71/5 (2015) 85/87/66/5 (2014) 90/86/53/5 (2009) 0-60/30-70mph 9.9/9.6 secs 10.0/9.7 secs 10.8/10.9 secs 30-50mph in 3rd/4th 4.4/6.6 secs 4.2/6.2 secs 5.0/8.1 secs 50-70mph in 5th/6th 9.3/13.6 secs 9.1/12.7 secs 10.5/14.4 secs Top speed/rpm at 70mph 127mph/1,900rpm 127mph/1,900rpm 114mph/1,800rpm Braking 70-0/60-0/30-0mph 47.3/34.6/8.9m 51.7/37.0/9.5m 47.4/34.4/9.6m Noise outside/idle/30/70mph 60/45/61/67dB 63/44/61/67dB 64/47/58/66dB Auto Express econ (mpg/mpl)/range 54.2/11.9/787 miles 53.0/11.7/688 miles 48.9/10.8/645 miles Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 57.7/74.3/67.3mpg 58.9/76.3/68.9mpg 55.4/74.3/67.3mpg Govt urban/extra-urban/combined 12.7/16.3/14.8mpl 13.0/16.8/15.2mpl 12.2/16.3/14.8mpl Actual/claimed CO2/tax bracket 140/109g/km/19% 143/107g/km/19% 155/110g/km/20% Airbags/Isofix/park sensors/camera Seven/yes/yes/£300 Seven/yes/yes/£310 Seven/yes/£495/yes Auto box/stability/adaptive cruise ctrl £1,400/yes/yes £1,600/yes/yes No/yes/no Climate control/leather/heated seats Yes/part/£250 £595/£1,795/£280 Yes/no/no Metallic paint/xenons/power tailgate £535/£1,295/£520 £540/£710 (LED)/£365 £495/no/no Sat-nav/USB/DAB radio/Bluetooth Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes Yes/yes/yes/yes