When drivers choose something a bit different from the norm, they often look for justification that they have made the right decision from any source they can.

To be honest, our long-term Skoda Superb can speak for itself to anyone who spends two minutes behind the wheel, but it was nice to read a motoring magazine road test where the Skoda was classed as better than a premium brand.

What made it all the more encouraging was the premium car happened to be a £100,000-plus Bentley Flying Spur.

In fact, the Skoda beat an Audi A6 and BMW 7 Series too, which is a stunning performance from a car costing under £20,000.
To be fair, the test was based around the question “How much do you have to pay for luxury?”.

But what Skoda has achieved with this car, both in terms of build quality and standard equipment, is nothing short of exceptional. Every mile that passes just confirms what a good car this is, from the 45mpg fuel economy to the strong acceleration, ride comfort, ergonomics, practicality and handling.

Understandably, internet motoring message boards have been brimming with chatter from company car drivers debating how the Skoda beat a Bentley – with many supporting the result.

One driver said: “I totally agree. When I was choosing my new company car last year, I looked at the Skoda Superb, Audi A4, Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.

“I chose the Superb, as not only was it cheaper (I could have afforded decent versions of the others), but it was also the best
all-round car.”

Another wrote: “I have a Superb 2.0 TDI S as my company car. The most interesting reaction has been from my work colleagues, most of whom worship at the altar of BMW and Audi. They cannot believe how good the car is to drive and ride in. They seem to realise that it is one hell of a good car for a lot less than their German cars. Also, their car tax liability is more than mine.”

Skoda was one of a handful of brands to increase its sales last year and it seems that value for money is the perfect antidote to badge envy in the credit crunch.

It’s a multi-talented car, offering the quality of a boardroom limo for the new economic age, but with the price that means it can take the fight to the new Ford Mondeo and win.

Its rarity also means residual values are also still relatively strong, at about 35% after three years/60,000 miles, compared to 28% for an equivalent Mondeo.

After 5,000 miles, no problems have occurred, apart from a visit to the friendly local Skoda dealer, Wings of Peterborough, for a replacement passenger side mirror and housing (mysteriously smashed outside my house) which came out at £278.