LUXURY doesn’t have to mean expense, although the two words are inextricably linked in the minds of most people.

The trouble with that is while luxury is often a desirable thing, we’re only too aware of the need for it to be paid for, and only the privileged few have the means to do so. But one the most positive things to come out of harder times is that buyers are more willing to look beyond the badge and see what can be got for the money: music to the ears of Skoda and Co.

Its Superb model, now into its second year made a lot of the competition look very silly indeed. By offering a stretched wheelbase it offers truly epic rear seat space, and in doing so it also helps to create the soothing ride that is synonymous with comfort and luxury. Add to that a strong range of diesel engines and the kind of comprehensive kit list that normally requires box-ticking on an options list and you have a very strong package.

However, you need a range-topper to complete the package, which is where the 3.6 V6 4x4 comes in. Available in top-spec Elegance trim only, it combines petrol punch and the reassurance of the impressive four-wheel drive system to provide more of a driving experience than any other version in the range.

There’s not a great deal on the outside to hint at the potential though. It’s as handsome and distinctive as the rest of the Superb range, although the standard fit 18-inch alloy wheels are attractive and classy. Considering its pricing doesn’t qualify for premium status, the exterior is more than sharp enough to cut the mustard. As if to prove the point, passers-by who don’t clock the badge will frequently mistake it for something more expensive.

It moves like a car from the upper echelons too. With 260bhp and 258lb.ft of torque coming from the sweet and flexible 3.6-litre six-cylinder powerplant it is by some margin the fastest and most powerful car that Skoda makes. The unobtrusive four-wheel drive system delivers extra traction only when needed, which explains why this large saloon - with the excellent DSG gearbox as standard - can sprint to 62mph from rest in just 6.5 seconds and run on to an impressive 155mph.

In practice that performance is instantly accessible and effortless too, accompanied by a smooth and attractive snarl from the engine. It can hustle along with composure and ease, something which is quite unexpected from a car of this nature, and it’s a pleasing talent to have access to.

Yet this is arguably less important, because most of the time the Superb will be required to transport its occupants with comfort and ease. But the Superb sacrifices none of its more soothing qualities in the name of performance. This is one of few cars at this price where sitting in the back is sometimes preferable to being up front, such is the space on offer.

Legroom simply isn’t an issue, and the saloon shape brings excellent headroom too. With a rear bench sculpted to favour the two outer passengers, you can relax and enjoy the space while the excellent ride hides the worst sins of the road surface, It’s not a wallowy limousine however, merely well sorted and honed to a fine standard. As a car to drive or be driven in, it has a lot to offer.

It stands up remarkably well against the competition too, even before you get down to the nitty-gritty of the price. Despite the performance, the 3.6-litre Superb offers a very respectable 28mpg combined and 235g/km of C02, and although you may be able to better these figures, it requires a much greater financial investment to do so.

Plus there’s the kit list to take into account. As standard you get bi-Xenon headlights, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth phone connection, electric driver’s seat and sat-nav with colour screen, SD card slot and an auxiliary connection. The options list is also pretty small, which says a lot about how well specified it is in the first place.

The Superb in this guise offers something different to the usual Skoda talents, but it does not abandon the appeal that serves its other models so well: comfort, usability, practicality and an all-round sense of driving and ownership satisfaction. Avoid the temptation to buy simply on the badge and you can get yourself a very accomplished car at a bargain price.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Skoda Superb Elegance 3.6 V6 4x4, £27,305 Engine: 3.6-litre petrol delivering 260bhp and 258lb.ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. Performance: Top speed 155mph, 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds. Economy: 28.0mpg combined Emissions: 235g/km