THE Skoda Superb boasts a boatload of neat features - but the driver fatigue sensor is redundant in this smooth individual.

It would have to be some trek to leave you feeling tired in a motorway-loving big family hatchback that takes all the stress out of long journeys. Even when supposedly out of its comfort zone - visiting city centre car parking spots or taking on tight and twisty country lanes - the experience behind the wheel is of an agile car adept at handling whatever situation you put it in.

The emphasis throughout is on comfort and relaxation to make motoring a pleasure in this refined beast.

Power for the SE-L hatchback model on show here came via a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine which - in cahoots with a slick six-speed manual gearbox - propels the Superb from a standing start to 62mph in a shade over nine seconds on its way to a claimed top speed of 137mph.

The Superb offers three settings - comfort, normal and sport - to fit in with your driving mood. I found the middle choice to be the best compromise as it tightens up the cornering characteristics without making the ride too firm.

Fuel economy is good for such a large and luxurious car at around 50mpg with carbon dioxide emissions of 103g/km. There are other diesel options available as well as a range of petrol engines and a hybrid model.

The cool exterior boasts a sleek profile with neat flourishes including 18-inch Zenith alloy wheels plus dynamic indicators and lighting animations. A facelift in 2019 brought a new stylish grille and bumpers while inside the tech was uprated to its current high-quality offering.

Care and attention has obviously gone into the design of the dashboard's layout with an eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system taking centre stage. It offers access to the sat nav and DAB digital radio with Bluetooth plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity also available.

Other goodies on the SE-L version - which sits third in a line-up that starts with the entry-level S and tops out with the Laurin & Klement flagship model - include front and rear parking sensors, heated mirrors, adaptive cruise control, an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap, two umbrella compartments in the driver and front passenger doors plus one rain-defier provided by Skoda.

Top-notch soft-touch materials are used throughout the cabin with an exemplary fit and finish giving a premium feel while a pleasant atmosphere is guaranteed by the dual-zone climate control.

The comfortable seats cosset the passengers and the driver who is able to attain the perfect position behind the multi-function steering wheel with ease.

The spacious cabin and 625-litre boot - which extends to a mammoth 1,760 litres when the split rear bench is folded - make the third generation of the Superb a practical as well as a good-looking motor with smart additions including a cupholder up front that grips letting you unscrew bottle tops with one hand and a removable LED torch in the luggage area.

Cubby holes abound with large storage bins in the front doors and cupholders in the pull-down armrest between the two rear-seat passengers who benefit from as much leg, head and elbow room as you could wish for - with a third adult able to be accommodated with ease when the armrest is stowed away.