IT can be a relief when siblings or offspring finally move into their own gaff.

Of course, these transitions are never completed without a degree of trauma - like a teen kipping on the couch until there's an available car big enough to shift all their paraphernalia.

A succession of city cars and compact hatchbacks could cope with the pots, pans and bedding, but the bigger items - no chance.

Deliverance ultimately came in the low-slung shape of Skoda's flagship model the Superb Estate, a car boasting a risky but fully justified name.

Shifting a folding camp bed, a curved corner bath panel and a trio of supersize flat-packs posed few problems for the big Czech.

Skoda has always stayed pretty much ahead of the game with its premier model. What was a prestige looking vehicle anyway - especially in estate form - was significantly upgraded only 20 months ago, and will be replaced by a completely new generation this autumn.

But the Volkswagen-owned manufacturer isn't just at the forefront of 'space travel' it does with a Business Class facility too.

The fit and finish of the cabin is on a par with its premium label VW group stablemates and those sitting in the back have the room to properly stretch out their legs.

Practicality being more than just a large cabin, the Superb has what they call Simply Clever stuff like a brolley compartment in the left rear door, underfloor stowage, a sunglasses compartment and a Jumbo Box in the centre console too.

Three petrol units and a trio of diesels make up the engine range and though the tested SE Business Greenline III variant featured the lowest power 1.6-litre TDI it nonetheless offered a useful degree of poke.

Its 105bhp was good enough to complete headline figures of 0-62 in 12.3 seconds and a potential top speed of 121mph.

The Greenline bit is Skoda's take on keeping things extra clean and includes optimised gearing, special aerodynamic components and low rolling resistance tyres.

As a result of GreenLine III, hatch models have CO2 outputs of 109g/km and a combined fuel figure of 67.3 miles per gallon, the estate coming close with 113g/km and 65.7mpg.