Chevrolet Optra Magnum vs Honda Civic vs Skoda Octavia
November 15, 2007 – 3:02 pm by Ashish Jha
It was pretty simple, seemingly. A good friend of mine was interested in buying a car and his budget was about 10-12 lakhs. Not a bad budget that, you’ll say. I said the same. And what followed was pandemonium. Why? I’ll tell you.
He did not really have any particular car in mind and wanted something that would be comfortable, reliable, fast, value for money, feature-packed and would have a good ride and handling characteristic. I listened calmly and when he was finished, I said, “you have mentioned pretty much everything in that list!” and there was laughter.
But the determined blokes that we were, went about shopping. So, there was a list and there were cars on that list. We had penned down almost every four-wheel machine that came to our mind for that budget. From Chevy Aveo to Ford Fiesta. From Maruti SX4 to Honda City. From Honda Civic to Chevy Optra Magnum. From Skoda Octavia to Hyundai Elantra.
The C-segment cars were deleted from the list since he said if he were to spend such a moolah, why would he go in for a car that would offer lesser snob value? Now what we were left with were the D-segment cars like Honda Civic, Chevy Optra Magnum, Skoda Octavia and Hyundai Elantra. The Korean was dismissed immediately since my friend did not fancy the looks of that car and also said, “it’s a Hyundai!” Now I don’t know what’s really wrong with that because the Elantra is a damn good car. I tried to reason it out with him. All my words like “it has got ABS, airbags and also traction control. And since the car is not selling well, you could negotiate a good deal with Hyundai.” But seems like my words went to dead ears. He did not budge from his decision.
So it boiled down to the three big ones - Honda, Chevrolet and Skoda.
I presented the good and the bad points of each of the three cars. My friend also did not have any particular fuel type in mind. So we started with the Skoda Octy. The Octy, I said, has been around for a number of years but is still a very formidable car. It is the best handling car of the three but the ride quality is not upto the mark. The interiors too are plain but the steering and gearbox are a delight to use. Space at the rear is not comparable to the Optra and Civic. He said, “Hmmm, okay. How about the Civic?”
I have to tell you this - he was pretty inclined towards the Honda, owing to its looks and jazzy interiors. Also because it has been the fast-running kid and, according to my friend, has that “special something.” So the Honda Civic then, it has, as said, jazzy interior and looks to die for. The low speed ride quality is bad but it increases as the car gains speed. The low ride-height too is a reason for worry. But it is a Honda, so the snob-value is guaranteed for sure. It also has a sweet-sounding motor which goes mad when it crosses 2700 revs. We drove the car, and he accepted that low-speed ride was dire.He deliberately took the car in a pothole once and the rear crashed, leaving no play in the suspension to absorb the impact.
Now we walked towards the Chevrolet showroom and requested for a test-drive of the Optra Magnum. I asked him to drive the diesel. “Goes like a bullet!”, he exclaimed and all I did was smiled lightly. Then he went gaga over the ride quality and comfort of the seats. He was also mighty impressed with the look and feel of the interior. “It’s not as snazzy as the Civic’s, but looks cool. Elegant, sober and cool” Handling was something that he had no idea about and asked me to explain. I took over the wheel, entered a corner relatively hot and when the rear kicked out, asked him to notice the slide. He said “wow, that was fun!” But then I told him that the handling is a pretty important parameter of the car and then we went into intricate details. Some hours of conversation followed. “Man, now I know why you are an automotive journo”, he said. And I smiled.
Finally, after 12 odd hours of driving and talking, my dear friend reached a conclusion. I know, I know, you must be at the edge of the seat by now, but hang on as the decision might take you for a surprise.
He went ahead and booked the Skoda Octavia. Yes, the same car that is the most dated of the three, has the most boring interiors and the ride is not all that plush. But why this decision? Well, he ostracized the ride quality of Civic and since he drives generally in Mumbai on broken roads, good low-speed ride quality and ground-clearance were essential. He loved the Optra Magnum - a car that had oodles of power, was the most comfy, had good-looking interiors and had good ride quality. What he did not like was the nose-job of the Optra. So, it was the Octy then - an elegant looking, subdued car that was as equipped as its counterparts. A good choice? For him it was. Congrats mate!
It left a thought in my mind however. Skoda, despite of being the most aged design still appeals and a product from Honda, that too bearing a tag like Civic has flaws which does not go down well with the buyer and Optra - an overall excellent car that would have made one more purchase against its name, but it could not. Why? Because of that nose-job! Indian buyers are getting smarter and auto-makers need to take them seriously. Very seriously.
If you find yourself in similar situation, reach us directly and we will help you out in whatever way we can. And to help some of you who are thinking of buying a D-segment car, here’s a tool that will help you by a good measure!
Request for a free price quote of either the Chevrolet Optra Magnum, Honda Civic or the Skoda Octavia
14 Responses to “Chevrolet Optra Magnum vs Honda Civic vs Skoda Octavia”
I need to know if you include corolla and laura.
Laura i found a problem that rear suspension quality is not good may be that car was aged(without servicing for long) superb was exellent but very expensive.Now compare laura ambiente, octavia L&K, Optra diesal,petrol any, civic again and tell me whihc one is good for long run of 10 years or so.
Civic drived twice but don’t know like something is missing in that being such an expensive vehicle. skoda found too many in roads very less other cars even civic. i don’t know whether it was having any older model in india or not.corolla less in no. optra drove upto 120 km/h found it decent. no idea whihc one is really good car.corolla was ok but outdated.
skoda must be good otherwise many people have opted for that why?
Not able to decide please give more info.
If daily ride is 20-30 km but monthly 1500+ in bangalore. Laura ambiente/octy l & K/civic/optra which one is really useful for such requirement.
By vijendra on Nov 15, 2007
Since your running is going to be over 1500km per month and are going to keep the car for over 10 years, we suggest you go in for a diesel. This leaves you with Laura, Octavia and Optra Magnum. The Laura and Optra Magnum are good cars and have good space and comfort levels. But since you did not like the Laura much, then the Optra is the one for you. Optra Magnum is a comfy and spacious car which delivers a staggering performance too. You can read more about the Optra Magnum by visiting this link: http://www.carwale.com/Research/Roadtests/ChevroletOptraMagnum/
Also, if you are not in a hurry to buy the car, then there are good alternatives that will come to India in 2008, one of them being an all-new Hyundai Elantra.
By Ashish on Nov 19, 2007
I am changing my old Ikon to a new car I went around looking for all cars in the market and finally narrowed down to Honda Civic, Laura Ambiente and Optra Magnum Diesel. My budget is 10-15 lakhs. I did like all the 3 cars. As I have already used a petrol car for long, I want to shift to a diesel car for its obvious advantages.
This leaves me with Optra Magnum and Skoda Laura Ambiente. I took a test drive of both and Optra Magnum was brilliant. Barring the nose looks, I could not find anything -ve in Optra. I am a bit confused. Please help me decide.
regards
ravi
By Ravi on Nov 24, 2007
I would like to know which are the D-segment sedans & SUV’s due for launch in early 2008 (Jan-Mar).
I drive in delhi and my daily ride is 90Kms and also one weekend trip outside delhia for holiday.
I would like to keep the car with me for 3-4 years and would like a good re-sale value. My budget is upto 15Lacs.
Regards,
Vivek
By vivek on Dec 6, 2007
With expected usage of less than 1000 km per month, does it make sense to buy the Octavia diesel or is it better to stick to a petrol vehicle like the Civic?
By Kannan Iyer on Dec 17, 2007
hi Ravi ,
I feel the Optra Magnum Diesel will be best sutiable , the SKoda has reported problems and servicing and meaintence of SKoda will Shave you cleanly , as you also like the Optra Magnum Diesel Very much , better go with it
Cheers Man
Sri - mndvishnu@yahoo.com
By Sri Vsh on Dec 25, 2007
i think civic is da rite car out of this list of an out dated skoda engine or all borin american chevy…
Car expert
By rizwan on Jan 29, 2008
Hi,
Can I have your opinion on Honda Civic 1.8S MT v/s Laura Ambiente? The budget does not matter between these two cars, but overall ownership experience and better resale values are the most important points.
Is the rear seat ride quality really that bad in the Civic? Also, have you guys noticed the raised floor in the rear of the Laura where one can’t even move their legs over from one side to the other?
Thanks,
Chintan
By Chintan on Feb 6, 2008
hie,
i have been wondering which is a better buy between verna vgt sx abs and optra magnum tcdi the price difference is around 70-80 thousand .
i have heard from my friend the the maintainance cost of magum is very high
also consedering the top speed verna is 186 and mag 185 though mag is 120bhp verna is also gud at 110@4000
so help me guys which is better buy
By sk on Feb 28, 2008
Hi,
I am thoroughly confused. I want to buy a D segment car. Which is the best buy. Skoda or Civic. I am from Kolkata and the roads are not too good here. i am worried with Civic’s ground clearance.
Can you also suggest any SUV’s within 15 lakh range.
By Agradeep on Mar 5, 2008
go for skoda
By vishnu on Mar 6, 2008
I totally agree with your friend about the pathetic nose job on Chevy. I used to like the original 3 piece grill. The bold grill on NY edition was also OK. But this one is horrible. Makes it look like some poorly designed Russian car. I am more than sure that the grill was not designed by an automobile designer. They should have used the SR-V nose on this otherwise superb automobile.
By Vishwas Gaikwad on Mar 6, 2008
The same is the situation with me. My budget is arround 10-11 lakhs. I drove Ford Fiesta (bad driving like Tata Indica), Hyundayi verna (Good driving, good interiors but looking small car), Honda Civic (Good driving, excellent interiors but Petrole), Optra magnum diesel (Good driving with little noise, good ooking biigger car look, but furious about after sale service in Lucknow), skoda octavia (Big looking car, but not as good driving as comparison to cost).
Now i zeroed down to between Optra Magnum (diesel) or Hyundai verna or Honda Civic. Of thse three the ride quality of the all is almost same with better for Magnum, but verna is cheaper with good after sale service. Honda civic is having excellent interiors with a big looking and is of Honda tag car but is of petrole version (Low fuel economy). I am getting more towards with Optra magnum becoz of its intermediate cost, best power & driving (though with little of noise) average interior, but overall big looking car with great power & fuel economy? But there is some serious question—– New arrival, so not known fate of this car, after sale service in Lucknow?????.
So what to do???
Please suugest me, which car i should buy & why?? and if Optra magnum diesel, why?? & which model?????
By Raj Mishra on Apr 1, 2008
I took the Chevy optra magnum for a test drive and I found several advantagess of the car.
The car has a great performance value than other diesel manufacturer’s in its segment of 2 litre engine, the pick-up is really awesome, good braking system all four wheel disk brakes with (ABS)and traction control system.
About Speed - Turbo activates in the top drive and you’ll feel the real pleasure whilst driving… comfortness that’s really great when compared to all the sedan’s…
The only thing which I hate and disagree with the music system which still comes with the 3din cassette player, why and where GM is, is GM still in the earlier of 1970’s and 1980’s… and also need to improve the dasboard and the gear shift rod which doesn’t look good… the bonnet honey grill is really big by which all the insects and anything can easily enter the engine area whilst driving and when in ideal…
rest of that the car is good and you can trust it and enjoy…
By suresh on May 20, 2008