New Delhi: We always talk about how a car is to drive but in India, especially, in the midsize to the entry luxury segment, nearly all owners like to be chauffeur driven. Thus for many the space at the back and the comfort is more important than a sporty suspension or even engine power. Hence for this purpose many SUVs may not be the right choice due to their slightly firm off-road oriented suspension and outright lack of space. Hence here is an exclusive feature where we bring together the just launched new Skoda Superb and pit it against the Toyota Camry. These two are the only sedans in this price bracket and offer you first class luxury but at half the price of many other luxury cars.

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Let us start with the rear seat of the new Skoda Superb and here the legroom available is plentiful with enough space for even any tall person to stretch out. The seats are comfortable and wide plus getting in and out is also not an issue. The Superb is available in two trims with either the Sportline or the L&K. The L&K gets another feature which is important as with a button on the front passenger seat, you can slide forward that seat to liberate more room. Else the interior is fittingly luxurious. The Sportline with the Alcantara looks aggressive while the L&K has the dual beige and brown with additional wood finish. The Alcantara lined interior in particular looks expensive with a high quality fit and finish no doubt. One thing we noticed due to the centre tunnel, it is a four seater as the middle passenger would be uncomfortable.



When we move to the Camry and its rear doors are longer but open wider while the sense of space is also big just like on the Superb. The seats are no less than chairs and you surely sink into them. Just like the Superb, space is huge and you can sit here comfortably for hours at end. Plus you also get the control to shift the front passenger seats for more space. The Camry is a strict four seater like the Superb but we like the soft seats and again both the cars here offer you way more space over any other SUV at this price point. Do note the Camry offers you additional controls at the rear armrest which is a bonus. The cabin is a bit more traditional over the Superb with more beige though.

Now let us take a look at the feature list and here both woo the front as well as the rear passengers. There is a sunroof, three zone climate control, leather, big touchscreen plus all the usual luxuries on offer. However there are differences. The Camry has powered seat cooling and ventilation along with a heads up display and a nice 9-speaker audio. The Skoda has the slicker and better touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto plus a 11 speaker Canton Audio system, ventilated and powered seats, front and rear sensors along with the fact that it has hands free parking too.


What you would also care about is how comfortable they are handling our roads and the ground clearance. Of course they are not SUVs and they are low-slung so you should be careful when approaching speed breakers or bad roads but that said neither touched any speed breaker. The Camry with its hybrid set-up is silent and cruises effortlessly with suspension soaking up the bad roads. From the rear, visibility is good and you have a relaxing time being driven around with only the sharpest of potholes disturbing the big Camry. The rear seats of the Superb are not that lower than that of the Camry and like the Camry it is also silent. The Superb has a petrol motor and the suspension while having some firmness which is typical of European cars, faces the potholes better to the tighter suspension. The Camry is more low and softer as the Superb you have to be a touch less careful about handling big speed-breakers. Road noise is compressed in the Superb too.


When you do drive the cars yourself the Superb feels the smaller car and the faster one with the DSG automatic while the Camry hybrid is fixed on giving you a more comfortable drive and a refined one. The Superb is easier to drive in the city though. Thus this test was to see how comfortable and well equipped these value for money luxury sedans are over an SUV and they are. The Superb and Camry are for chauffeur driven owners and come well equipped with features too. True, SUVs are go-anywhere cars and some like their road presence but no denying that these two sedans give more in the other departments. The Superb prices start at just below Rs 30 lakh while the Camry is a whole Rs 10 lakh more. Thus the Superb is the more value for money luxury car and all-rounder while the Camry is for those who want a hybrid and a car solely dedicated to comfort only. Either ways, if you look beyond SUVs, these two offer you a lot!

Skoda Superb

We like- Value for money, quality, design, performance, space, luxury

We do not- No diesel or Hybrid

Toyota Camry

We like- comfort, hybrid system, luxury, space, design

We do not- Expensive

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