New vs used estate cars: Skoda Superb or Mercedes E-Class?

It’s a similar story inside, where the Merc’s mix of top-notch quality and a lavish specification – with leather seats, dark wood trim and the brand’s excellent 12.3-inch MBUX infotainment system – makes it feel a cut above the Superb. There’s little to choose between the two for passenger space and comfort, with both easily accommodating five adults in comfort.

Outright carrying capacity favours the Skoda, but the Mercedes’ 640 litres isn’t to be sniffed at. Lower the rear bench and you’ll liberate a handy 1,820 litres of space.

On the move our pair are closely matched again. Both cars deliver impressive comfort and low noise levels, while the E-Class’ traditional rear-wheel-drive layout provides balanced and composed handling.

The 194bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in the E 220 d remains the pick of the engine line-up. It’s a little gruff at low revs, but generates 400Nm of torque and has an average economy figure of 50.4mpg. Better still, as well as combining effortless pace and penny-pinching efficiency, it meets Euro 6 emissions regulations, so can enter most clean-air zones.

As you’d expect, the Mercedes is bursting with the firm’s cutting-edge safety kit, which earned it full marks from Euro NCAP in 2016. 

More surprising is the fact that neither Skoda or Mercedes fared well in our 2024 Driver Power satisfaction poll, finishing 23rd and 25th respectively out of 32 brands.

Used Mercedes E-Class Estate deals

Estate car buying advice

There’s no denying the Merc’s style, sophistication and image are hard to resist, especially in classy AMG Line trim. 

However, the Skoda matches the E-Class for comfort, quality and driver appeal, while it sneaks ahead for space and running costs. Factor in its three-year warranty, and by the narrowest of margins the win goes to the Czech machine.

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