Skoda Superb Simply Superb 1.8 TSI (A) 2009

You've read it in the papers and you've heard them on the news. Bank executives everywhere are tightening their belts, and taking pay cuts just to go through this rather depressing economic state. So if you're in the same shoes as them, I'm sure you're feeling the pinch too.

But what if you need a new car now? Something that is ostensibly affordable, but with no compromise on quality and looks. After all, you're too used to that current Conti executive sedan of yours, and have no room for compromise - you want something cheaper, but at least with an almost similar quality.

Or maybe you're the sort who, after all the years traversing in that Japanese executive sedan, wants to have a go in a Conti one - but at the same time, looking for something that's priced below $100k. Taking in mind the current affordable car prices and the limited COE rule the government plans to impose, you think now's the right time.

So what car can this two particular group of buyers have as a choice?

Enter the new Skoda Superb. If you belong to either club, you might want to see what this new contestant can offer.

EXTERIOR

On the outside, the Superb looks - simply put - huge. With a length of 4,838mm, width of 1,817mm and height of 1,462mm, it does have the road presence. And mind you, these dimensions are very close to the perennial 5 Series and E-Class.

Upfront, it looks similar to the Roomster, although it's much bigger and graceful here. Speaking of grace, there's just an air of sophistication with the Superb - lines are clean, there's no overkill of chrome bits and the shut lines are all properly flushed. The rear assembles the Laguna, no qualms about that, but it looks well-executed and stylish here too. All four doors open wide, so ingress and egress shouldn't be much of a problem even if you're vertically or horizontally challenged.

18-inch alloys wrapped in 225/40 R-18 Continental SportContact2 rubbers, side mirror with integrated side-repeaters, front and rear foglamps, front bumper splitter and rear boot-mounted spoiler comes standard on this "Simply Superb" variant you're seeing here.