Škoda wins back Estate Car of the Year title at 2026 What Car? Awards

Having won the Estate Car of the Year title for an unprecedented eight years in a row (from 2016-2023), the Superb Estate recaptured its title, comprehensively outscoring its competitors for value, practicality and wide range of drivetrain options. Returning the Superb Estate to its top (and rightful) position, the What Car? judging panel praised its remarkable use of space and family-friendly features.

Commenting on the Superb’s performance, What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford said: “There can be few families whose needs the Škoda Superb Estate wouldn’t satisfy. It’s absolutely immense inside, both for passengers and luggage. Yet it doesn’t feel overly big from behind the wheel, because it combines tidy handling with a comfortable ride – particularly if you specify the optional adaptive suspension.”

The Kodiaq was also confirmed as What Car? Tow Car of the Year, having seen off tough competition across seven weight categories in testing late last year. The Czech SUV proved unbeatable, winning the 1,700-1,999kg category and and taking the overall title. Commenting on the Kodiaq’s title, Steve Huntingford said: “Make a list of the qualities you look for in a tow car. The chances are the Škoda Kodiaq possesses most or all of them. It’s very stable at the legal limit. However hard our drivers pushed it at the test track, they never had a nervous moment. Every one of this year’s category winners is a great car, but the Kodiaq surpasses them all. No other winner can claim a more complete range of talents than the brilliant Kodiaq.”

In addition to its two category wins, Škoda was also awarded three What Car? Best Buy awards. Designed to highlight the best cars in specific, practical categories, Best Buy awards focus on real-world buying priorities. The Scala, Elroq and Kodiaq were all named Best Value options within their categories, with the Scala named Best Value Family Car, the Elroq taking the Best Value Electric SUV title and the Kodiaq securing the Best Value Seven Seat SUV honour.

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