Writer Jeremy Taylor with 2006 (in black) and 2026 (in silver) iterations of the Skoda Superb - Jay WilliamsAs shameless PR stunts go, it had to be one of the most brazen. How do you encourage a bunch of cynical motoring hacks into an overheating Skoda saloon, especially when models from Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar are readily available to drive?It's 1988 and the annual Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' driving day is under way in the Midlands. A favourite event is the handling course – a foot-to-the-floor dash that will see traffic cones and paintwork collide with alarming frequency.A set of tyres is the prize for the fastest time in any car, so why is that puce-coloured Skoda Estelle 120L so popular with journalists? With a rear-mounted 55bhp engine to upset the weight distribution, surely the tail-happy tin from beyond the Iron Curtain-mobile was setting itself up to be the butt of yet another bad joke.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut the top brass from the Czechoslovakian budget brand had approved a cunning plan. The quickest driver around the course in an Estelle – 0-62mph in 17 seconds, mind you – would take home a crate of beer. Czech mate: ignore any unfortunate link to drink-driving.For lovers of pre-Volkswagen Group Skodas, who argue the merits of the Estelle, Favorit and "fast-back" Rapid of that era, please let off steam in the comments section below. Cheap and usually uncheerful, I can assure you that Skodas were, quite simply, rubbish cars.Of course, that all changed when Volkswagen started to buy out Skoda in stages during the 1990s. The Felicia hatchback was the first to utilise VW technology before the all-new, game-changing Octavia came to the UK in 1998.The arrival in the UK of the all-new Octavia in 1998 was a game changer - Heritage Images/National Motor MuseumAstonishing transformationThe brand transformation that quickly followed was astonishing. Here was a cut-price family saloon that quickly proved a serious threat to established favourites, hugely popular cars such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra. It was laden with standard equipment and had the promise of VW build standards.AdvertisementAdvertisementSkoda was soon no longer the laughing stock, but it took the launch of a larger luxury saloon to show the manufacturer's true intent. Today, 25 years since the boldly named Superb was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, I'm once again driving a car that took the by-then-Czech brand to new heights.Taylor taking the 2006 Skoda Superb for a spin - Jay WilliamsThis range-topping Superb Elegance Mk1 cost a relatively measly £21,715 in 2006 (a BMW 530d was about £33,000), and because the then government actively encouraged us to drive diesels, this particular model is a V6 TDI. It's no beauty, but it is very much in keeping with the jelly-mould styling of the time.Statement of intentMore significant is that it was a statement of intent. The Superb proved that Skoda was no longer simply about budget cars, it was ready to compete in the executive market. The extended wheelbase provided generous legroom for rear-seat passengers, while the rest of the interior design was practical and deliberately understated.The Superb proved Skoda was no longer just about budget cars, and that it was ready to compete in the executive market - Jay WilliamsIn this Elegance specification model, I'm plonked on a plump leather driver's seat that's both heated and electrically adjustable; it even offers lumbar adjustment. It also features early satellite navigation – the kind that would deliver you roughly within a mile of a destination, but was still very much a showstopper back then.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe naff wood trim looks entirely incongruous when compared with modern vehicles, while the heating system is from the Wallace and Gromit school of design, amusingly called Climotronic. Stash a Wensleydale sarnie in one of the many storage bins, with four holders for cups of tea.Like a Rolls-RoyceYes, the old Superb is definitely built for comfort rather than speed, but with a bulletproof VW engine and tons of standard equipment, Skoda dealers in the Noughties must have rubbed their hands together in glee. A fun feature in the Elegance? The hidden, self-draining umbrella slot inside the driver's door, just like a posh Rolls-Royce.The boot is substantial for a saloon but nothing like the size of an estate – a problem solved by Skoda on the Mk2 version of the Superb, launched in 2008 and part of the line-up ever since. Called the Combi, it was built on an extended VW Passat platform and swallowed 633 litres of family detritus, even with the rear seats upright.With the manufacturer's star in the ascendancy ever since, Skodas are now driven by lords and loafers alike. Star names also appreciate the unassuming practicality of the brand. Rowan Atkinson owned a Superb, Michael Douglas has driven a Fabia and Peep Show actor Robert Webb ran an Octavia. Brand ambassadors eager to sign up have included Sir Bradley Wiggins and singer Paloma Faith.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhich brings us to the current Mk4 Superb, available as a hybrid, petrol or, surprisingly in 2026, a diesel. The 2.0 TDI 4x4 costs around £46,000, and is best for towing and extra grip, while a full tank in my test car provides a total range approaching 700 miles. When was the last time you registered that in an EV?The current Mk4 Superb is available as a hybrid, petrol or diesel - Jay WilliamsThere's also a swanky Laurin & Klement version – named after the original Skoda founders – that can cost upward of £53,000, but even an entry-level Superb SE has class-leading attributes.Some still poke fun at Skoda and turn their nose up at the Czech badge, but they clearly know very little about cars. The last laugh is on them.Pick of the crop: the top three current SkodasSuperb Estate: cavernous interior and boot, luxurious touches and excellent hybrid model, with a four-wheel-drive option.The Superb Estate 2026 has great battery range - Jay WilliamsEnyaq: electric SUV that is a fantastic all-rounder. Decent to drive and great battery range.The Enyaq is a great all-rounder - Å koda AutoAdvertisementAdvertisementElroq vRS: the fastest-accelerating Skoda ever is an EV. A compact crossover that would win a crate of beer.The Elroq vRS, the fastest-accelerating Skoda ever - Å koda AutoTry full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.