You never had it so good – not if you want a family car anyway - and Skoda provides even more choice with the new Skoda Superb.

Hot on the heels of a string of acclaimed models including the Ford Mondeo, the Mazda 6, the Honda Accord and the Citroen C5, the Skoda Superb is an excellent addition.

And we’ve had one of the first drives of the Skoda Superb ahead of its UK launch in September. Web Editor Adrian Higgins took the wheel.

View more pictures of the 2008 Skoda Superb

Want a saloon shape with hatchback practicality? The Skoda Superb has the answer.

Skoda call it twin door – we’d call it jolly practical - and it means you get two cars for the price of one.

Flip the boot release button on your key fob and the regular saloon-style boot springs up. Nothing special about that you might say.

What is special is that if you run your fingers under the boot lid you can switch the access so it opens as a hatchback – the first car to adopt this approach.

So you get the hatch-style opening to move bulky items or, if you want to isolate your luggage, and keep your air-conditioned cabin space intact, you can simply pop open the boot.

Increased space

Whether this becomes a gimmick or not depends on your use of the car – but there is nothing gimmicky about the amount of space you get in the 2008 Skoda Superb. Rear seats in place there is a class-leading 565-litres bootspace rising to a maximum 1,670litres when they are flattened.

More space is a major theme with the new Skoda Superb and this from a car with a reputation for roominess.

The Skoda Superb is now the longest car in its class and a new engine layout has helped convert even more of the expanded dimensions towards the occupants as well as the luggage, with more rear legroom available than you’d find in a Mercedes S Class.

Skoda reckons the Superb should be punching at a higher weight than its predecessor and design inside and out supports these claims.

View more pictures of the 2008 Skoda Superb

The Skoda Superb’s looks have divided opinion to a degree but we reckon it looks like a big sleek German car. The attention-to-detail touches including inscribing Superb into the new headlights and placing the number plate on the bumper rather than the tailgate help bump it further upmarket than the outgoing model.

In addition to extra space, the interior also boasts a simple, classy approach with clearly laid out information display and central console put together well with good materials.

Six engine line-up

On our test drive we had the opportunity to test drive two models from the expanded six engine line-up.

Diesel fans can choose between  a 105bhp 1.9 TDI, 140bhp 2.0 TDI and 170bhp 2.0 TDI.

A 125bhp 1.4 TSI, 160bhp 1.8 TSI and flagship 260bhp V6 are on offer if you prefer petrol. These can then be matched with five and six-speed manual gearboxes or six-speed automatic DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox). A four wheel drive option will follow later this year.

Performance ranges from a 6.6 seconds 0-62mph time for the 3.6 (and 155mph top speed) to the 12.5 seconds (and 118mph) offered by the 1.9-litre diesel. A gallon of fuel will return an average 28.2 miles motoring from the V6 with the 1.9-litre diesel increasing this to 49.6 miles.

We favoured the 2-litre automatic diesel over the 1.8-litre manual petrol model we drove simply because the DSG automatic is so slick with the likely next gear pre-selected to improve gearchange times but the petrol was fun to drive too, producing a good sound when changing up through the gears.

The outgoing model attracted criticism for its steering and handling and the 2008 Skoda Superb really shows some significant improvements.

Petrol or diesel, manual or automatic, we found both models delivered an engaging drive with sharp steering and agile handling boosting driver confidence through corners.

In fact, the only time the car felt small was behind the wheel, such was its nimble steering and handling. Big steps indeed and significant progress has been made in catching up with the excellent Ford Mondeo on this front.

The ride attracted some of the most positive attention directed to the 2002 Skoda Superb and this has not been compromised by the improvements in handling and steering. Looking for luxury transportation? The Superb still delivers.

Full five-star EuroNCAP safety rating

Our route included motorway miles and these were covered with effortless aplomb.

Seven airbags, including drivers’ knee airbag are standard across the range and new technology is made available in the shape of the adaptive front-light system (SE spec up) which varies beam direction and strength according to speed, road conditions and direction. (you can also opt to allow the Skoda Superb to park itself by specifying Park Assist as an option).

Skoda may be pitching itself more upmarket but still promises plenty of bang for your buck with the entry-level model generously laden with features and the top-spec version positively groaning under the weight of them.

Trim levels are S, SE and Elegance. Go for the S and you’ll get 16-inch alloy wheels, electronic stability programme, and climatic air conditioning. SE adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather, multifunction steering wheel, alcantara upholstery, cruise control and the signature umbrella in the rear door. Elegance throws in 18-inch alloy wheels, full leather upholstery, satnav and 30GB hard drive for your CDs as well as the adaptive front light system and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.

Some motorists have yet to catch up with the whole Skoda equals good quality car with loads of goodies at a competitive price story. But those who have love spreading the news - Skoda consistently performs excellently when it comes to owner surveys.

Skoda has a happy knack of making its drivers happy, and the Skoda Superb has built on the outgoing model’s existing ride and load-carrying qualities while adding a fair amount of driving ability and extra goodies.

Check out this official video of the Skoda Superb: