The 1.6-litre diesel engine fitted to this Skoda Superb isn't the smallest in the range (that's the 1.4 TSI tested previously). But with a maximum output of just 118bhp it's unquestionably the least powerful.
You may think this counts against it, but hold on. Despite its apparent weakness, it can still push the Superb from a standstill to 62mph in under ten seconds. It's also quiet, it operates as well as it needs to from very low revs.
While this might not be the Superb you would choose for a track day, it doesn't feel unduly slow in everyday motoring.
Its principal appeal is the way it brings running costs down to such impressively modest levels. Officially the car averages 68.9mpg, and on a long motorway run I found it easy to keep the economy on the high side of 60mpg.
The fuel warning light didn't come on until 828 miles after the test car's last refill. I could probably have reached 900 miles without having to stop to buy more diesel.
CO2 emissions are officially 108g/km, so Vehicle Excise Duty will cost you just £30 annually from year two onwards, while Benefit In Kind taxation is 19 per cent now and won't exceed 25 per cent any time before April 2020.
You get all this in a car with a quite extraordinary amount of interior space. Four large adults can be accommodated very easily, while there's room for 620 litres of luggage even if you don't fold down the rear seats and 1,760 litres if you do. Several longer and more expensive saloons on the market are significantly less practical.
If you want driving thrills you might be best to look elsewhere. This is hardly an exciting car to drive, but it handles well at the speeds you're likely to achieve, and it rides well on the 17-inch wheels fitted as standard to SE models. Larger wheels are available, but apart from making it look better they don't do the Superb any favours and are perhaps best avoided.
Although SE is the second bottom trim level in the range, its specification still includes numerous luxury features as standard. For £21,590 - an impressively low sum for such a big car - you get DAB digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors and a lot of safety aids. There’s no reversing camera, however, which is slightly disappointing.
That said, it would be very tempting to spend extra money on items which are available only as optional extras. The most important is the space-saver spare wheel at £100, and you'll probably want the front parking sensors at £350, heated front seats at £250 and satellite navigation at £755. You’ll need to pay £80 for a set of floor mats, which seems a lot.
Bi-xenon headlights with a cornering function (£1,295) and leather/alcantara upholstery (£1,150) are available too. I enjoyed having both on the test car, but by the time you're paying for those the Superb 1.6 TDI has become merely good, rather than great, value for money.
