Skoda Superb safety levels are high. It’s is a large, modern, car that’s packed with safety kit, so it’s no surprise that it was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating when crash tested by Euro NCAP.

It also qualifies for the five star rating under the new tougher crash test introduced in 2009. This new overall rating covers not only adult occupant safety but includes child and pedestrian safety along with a rear impact whiplash test.

Seven airbags are standard and a further two are optional, while other equipment includes Isofix child seat anchor points, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and a tyre pressure monitor. An electronic stability programme (ESP) – to help prevent skidding – is also standard.

The Skoda Superb practicality question is an interesting one – primarily because the car is truly unique – because amazingly it’s both a saloon and a hatchback in one.

Press one button on the tailgate and just the bootlid opens, press another and the whole tailgate, including the glass, lifts.

And what a boot – with 565 litres (85 litres more than the previous model) on offer, it’s a whopper and it’s very easy to access thanks to the wide hatchback opening.

This expands to 1,670 litres when the seats are folded – almost estate car levels of space.

The Superb is also the only car this side of a Rolls-Royce Phantom to come with an umbrella concealed in the door – for when you’re unexpectedly caught in the rain (see gallery for a picture).

Standard on SE and Elegance models, it sits in a specially designed waterproof slot underneath the rear passenger’s door armrest and when the door is closed the umbrella self-dries, too.