Opel Insignia or Skoda Superb diesel estate?

Hi,

We are changing our car under the scrappage scheme. We were looking at diesel estates such as the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer and the Skoda Superb Combi. The Superb Combi is well priced but it has a 1.6 TDI engine, which I think maybe too small for the car. The Opel is more expensive and you lose space and it is not as well specced. Or should I look at something else?

Thanks

Des Wynne (Dundalk)

Feb 2011 Filed under: scrappage

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Expert answer

Hi Des,

You've identified two great choices there. With our own money we'd buy the Skoda Superb Combi. It's a cracking estate car with a huge amount of room, great quality, good comfort and the 1.6 TDI engine is refined and economical. Unless you intend to tow regularly I wouldn't worry too much about the performance. This engine may not have a lot of power (105hp), but it has plenty of torque low down in the rev range, which is far more useful in everyday driving.

Admittedly, the Opel will feel faster and it's a nice car too, but make sure you test drive as many alternatives as you can. Where as Skoda only appears to offer one version of the Superb Combi that qualifies for the scrappage scheme, Ford has several Mondeo Estates that do - and it's a great car.

Worth paying a little more for is the brand new Volkswagen Passat Estate. It's a fabulous car and there are several Band A and Band B options.

If you need any more assistance come back to us of course.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D