Skoda hasn’t been the butt of car jokes for a long time, but even in its post-Berlin-Wall, Volkswagen-owned era it was difficult to not laugh at the self-applauding nameplate of its flagship model.

And while the Superb didn’t turn out to be entirely vainglorious when it arrived here in 2009, there were few superlatives from a keen driver’s perspective.

This time, though, our interest has been piqued by the $50,990 206 TSI 4×4 range-topper in the third-generation Superb, which has plonked the Volkswagen Golf R’s feisty turbo petrol into the engine bay, also uses the Haldex-based all-wheel drive system, and sits on a stretched version of the VW Group’s excellent MQB platform (topped with sharp styling).

Skoda Superb 206TSI rear

It’s still an energetic engine in the Superb, though, with a 4000-6000rpm sweetspot, and it manages to accelerate the large sedan even when past the six-grand redline (upshifting at 6850rpm in Sport mode).

Sport mode also thickens the damper fluid if the option box is ticked for Skoda’s first-ever adaptive suspension. It’s part of a $3400 Tech Pack also including a (good but not outstanding) 610-watt Canton audio system and a bunch of useful safety driver aids.

Skoda Superb 206TSI interior

In Normal, the steering is too light and the front end less enthusiastic about pointing towards an apex – though its ride quality is preferable over Comfort, which can be wallowy on freeways on the variant-unique 235/40 19-inch tyres.

The all-wheel drive system does its thing in tight bends and on wet roads, and in the dry seems to be the key to the 206TSI’s 1.2-second 0-100km/h advantage over the $39,990 162TSI Superb that employs the engine from the ever popular Volkswagen Golf GTI/Skoda Octavia RS.

Skoda Superb 206TSI front

Choosing between the sedan and wagon, though, is really more about styling preferences; either way you get a cavernous boot and limo-like rear legroom.

So the Superb remains bigger on space than thrills, but we’re not being funny when we say we like Skoda’s impressive all-rounder a lot.

3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS

LIKE: Energetic grunt, traction, vast space DISLIKE: Could be more exciting, dull steering

SPECS Engine: 1984cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, turbo Power: 206kW @ 6500rpm Torque: 350Nm @ 1700-5600rpm Weight: 1600kg 0-100km/h: 5.8sec Price: $50,990