CRITICS have been queueing up to praise the new Skoda Superb - and it doesn't take long behind the wheel to understand why it's proving so popular.

Already winner of a number of high profile 'car of the year' titles, this flagship Skoda is in many ways, well, pardon the pun... simply superb.

It comes in a number of models, and I drove the top of the range diesel Laurin & Klement estate, an astonishing cruiser when you consider what you're getting for your money.

First off, it's a handsome looking machine - with a bold feel of an executive saloon way above its price tag.

The 2.0 TDI engine develops 190bhp, which when coupled with the 4x4's DSG gearbox, achieves a 0-62mph sprint in 7.6 seconds, quite a punchy performance.

For the Superb range as a whole there are several petrol and diesel engines to choose from, but I was impressed with how smooth the L&K's diesel was around town and on the dual carriageway. There's no clatter and make no mistake, there's plenty of power when called for.

Packed full of the latest tech, all models come with a dash-mounted touchscreen. However, the L&K boasts a larger eight-inch device with built-in Columbus sat nav which, unlike many other in-car tech out there, I found very easy to use.

Meanwhile, everything inside - from door mirrors to seats - is electronically adjustable, with the L&K able to store three different seating and mirror positions, a handy feature if more than one person is insured to drive.

The cabin is vast and the boot, which comes with a couple of hidden features, is cavernous. Executive driving it may be, but it is still a practical motor - the discreet hooks just inside the tailgate make securing the supermarket shopping a breeze.

Safety is obviously a priority with Skoda, and the Superb is fitted with seven airbags as standard.

It also comes with a number of assistance systems, including Smart light assist - which uses a multifunction camera located behind the rear view mirror to automatically dim the high beam. Other systems include lane assist, travel assist, adaptive cruise control - which uses radar technology to maintain a safe distance from cars in front - and the multi-collision brake system. The L&K also comes with blind spot detection as standard.

And, of course, parking is made all the more easier thanks to park assist.

The new Skoda Superb starts from £19,005, while the Laurin & Klement starts at £30,405.