10 reasons we love… Skoda

If we asked you to name a brand offering great value cars packed with clever touches, the chances are Skoda would come to mind. The Czech brand we know today started out making bicycles before diversifying into motorbikes and ultimately becoming a car manufacturer. Since then, with the help of its merger with Volkswagen, Skoda has gone from strength to strength and here are 10 reasons we love it.

The fanciest Skodas are named after the two entrepreneurs who laid the foundations for the company. Václav Laurin and Václav Klement started out making bicycles, but in 1905 the pair launched their first car – the L&K Voiturette A. Eventually L&K merged with engineering firm Skoda and the brand we know today was born. The Laurin & Klement trim is reserved for the plushest models like the L&K Superb which comes with luxuries such as heated rear seats, an upgraded Canto sound system and an enhanced interior with Laurin & Klement embossing. A fitting tribute to Skoda’s original pioneers.

While we’re on the subject of the Superb, it is hands down one of the best estate cars you can buy. It majors on space, practicality, and comfort with Volkswagen itself using the Superb as inspiration for the latest Passat – quite the badge of honour. While Volvo was busy becoming a luxury brand, the Superb has arguably replaced the V70 as the go-to estate for all occasions. There is of course a hatchback version too which is equally as refined, but the extra space in the estate makes it our pick of the bunch.

For over thirty years Skoda has benefited from being part of the wider Volkswagen Group, taking Volkswagen’s tried-and-tested underpinnings and adding unique Skoda designs on top. The first car to be built from scratch following this alliance was the Octavia which has gone on to become Skoda’s best-selling model. Today it’s like a Golf only roomier, maximising comfort and quality to beat VW at its own game.

The Enyaq is another example of Skoda showing the rest of the VW Group how things should be done. While the Enyaq shares its foundations with the VW ID.4/ID.5 and Audi Q4 e-tron, the overall package sets the benchmark for electric family SUVs with its no-nonsense approach, great use of space, and usable real-world range.

With all its focus on practicality, you’d think Skoda would be boring… it’s not. Skoda has been competing in motorsport since it started making motorbikes, and this heritage has inspired a long line of Victory Rally Sport (or vRS) models for the road. Over the years iconic models such as the Fabia and Octavia have all received the vRS treatment and today’s all-electric Enyaq is no exception. We’ve been living with a hyper green Enyaq Coupe to find out what it’s like and while the colour divides opinion, it’s certainly a car with personality.

Skoda has a long list of aptly named “simply clever” features. These include handy hooks in the boot, large storage compartments and integrated funnels. Most notably, all Skoda models have a hidden umbrella compartment either in the front door or under the front passenger seat, so you’ll never get caught in the rain. This is the kind of luxury usually reserved for Rolls-Royce owners, yet your trusty Skoda has you covered.

The second useful feature to make our list is the built-in ice scraper. This thoughtful touch can make all the difference on frosty mornings when you’re running late, discover the car’s frozen over and you can’t find the scraper you bought from Halfords. Each model has the scraper in a slightly different location, so make sure you know where yours is hidden – its usually behind the fuel filler cap.

Skoda makes some great family cars, but its smaller models are not to be overlooked. Whether you are a new driver, an empty nester, or you need space for your family, the Fabia will accommodate obligingly. It's surprisingly refined for a small car and comes with a range of engines and trim options so there's something for everyone.

The trend for swapping out switches and dials for screens feels unstoppable, yet Skoda has found a happy middle ground with its use of “Smart Dials” in the Kodiaq and Superb. These are multifunctional physical dials which can be turned to adjust the temperature and volume, but pushing on them also allows you to change things like heated seats or fan speed. They are a nifty feature decluttering the central console while remaining simple to use on the move. We much prefer them to controlling everything through a touch-screen.

Making cars more sustainable requires thinking about all components including the upholstery. While many manufacturers look towards vegan materials made from recycled plastics, there’s still a strong environmental case for using leather given it’s a by-product of the meat industry. However, the tanning processing often uses harsh chemicals, so to avoid this, Skoda uses the extract from olive tree leaves which would otherwise go to waste. This produces the rich brown colour on its ecoSuite interiors giving the cars a more premium feel while also being more environmentally friendly.