Should you buy one?

We think the Skoda Superb iV hybrid is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a large plug-in hybrid car with plenty of practicality and comfort. But take care when speccing it up or you may find it becoming seriously expensive.

There is a lot to like here, not least its motorway performance, refinement when cruising, and diesel-like fuel economy when appropriately driven. It’s also tax-efficient, and as long as you can keep it charged up using cheap overnight domestic electricity, should prove very inexpensive to run.

Although the asking price is upwards of £45k, which may seem a lot for a Skoda, there are few rivals for the money. We’d take one over the VW Passat that uses the same underlying technology, because we find the Skoda’s interior design and controls more appealing, and as much as we like the look of the Peugeot 508 SW, it doesn’t have the same depth of engineering. You can get similar levels of luxury out of the Volvo V60 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but you’ll be higher up the price ladder.

The BMW 330e Touring is a different proposition. It might not be as accommodating or as comfortable as the Skoda, but it is better to drive and has a slicker infotainment set-up. For anyone racking up the miles, the Superb’s comfort and impressive electric driving range make the Skoda the one to go for. But keen drivers will find the rear-wheel drive 330e hard to resist, and the BMW badge still carries more cachet.

What we like

Being a Skoda Superb, it’s huge inside, optimised to waft you along in a relaxed manner on the motorway, and has excellent front seats with optional massagers. Being a PHEV, it’s tax efficient, and that huge battery gives it a great electric-only driving range when needed.

What we don’t like

This Skoda is very close to being BMW 330e money – and that’s a tough car to beat, especially if you’re a company car driver. The Superb isn’t as exciting, as premium, or as polished inside. But it does give you much more space for passengers and luggage.