Motoring journalists up and down the country were readying their pencils in preparation for a barrage of pithy quips about the name of Skoda's new car back when they heard it was going to build something called the Superb. Unluckily for them it did actually turn out to be quite good.
Now into its second generation, the car has got even better - the looks have been sharpened, giving the car a distinctive presence, and the wheelbase has been lengthened, giving limo-like amounts of legroom in the rear of the car.
With entry models starting from just over £16,000, you get a ridiculous amount of car for your cash. The usual rule of thumb with any car purchase is that if you pay a budget price you're going to get a budget car, but that just isn't the case here.
Interior quality is excellent, with some lovely materials used on the dashboard and throughout the cabin. Skoda has clearly picked up a few tips from its parent company about how to bolt a car together - the Superb feels absolutely solid and really quite classy.
The handling is particularly deft too, belying the car's size. It handles like a much smaller car, and manages not to compromise ride comfort in the process. It is not just a comfortable car for the money, either, Skoda has made a car that stands comfort comparison with far more expensive motors.
There is a range of useful engines on offer - no particularly bad ones, but the petrols can get thirsty. Especially the absurd but fun 3.6-litre V6 petrol which propels the car from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds. The 2.0-litre TDI engine offers the best combination of torque and fuel-sipping ability, in either 140 bhp or 170 bhp form.
The roominess inside is a particular selling point - two six-footers will easily fit one in front of the other in the Superb, they won't even have to squeeze in. There is plenty of room front and back, and five people can be ferried about without any issues. The boot is a reasonable size too, and Skoda has come up with a nifty two-part door for the Superb hatch where the boot door can be opened as a saloon door or a hatchback door depending on how you open it.
The Superb really does live up to its silly name, and Skoda should be proud of a job well done.