Spec Comparison: Skoda Superb vs Toyota Camry

Skoda has launched the next-gen Superb in India for a price starting Rs 22.68 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai). This is the only sedan in the segment that is available with a diesel engine, the other option being the Toyota Camry that has a petrol and petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. Here is a spec comparison of the two sedans, giving an overview of what each of these cars have to offer. 

Dimension:

In terms of length and height, both the Superb and the Camry are almost identical, the sedans are around 4,850mm long and 1,480mm tall. The Skoda though is the wider of the two at 1,864mm compared to 1,825mm of the Toyota. The main difference however is in the wheelbase. The Superb has a wheelbase of 2,841mm, which is significantly higher than 2,775mm of the Camry – this should translate into more cabin space, especially for the rear passenger.

Even the boot of the Skoda Superb is significantly bigger at 625 litres, compared to the 587 litres of the Camry. The hybrid version has less usable space, since part of it is occupied by the hybrid components.

Equipment:

The Toyota Camry hybrid had set a new benchmark for the segment, at the time of launch in August 2013. Apart from standard features like driver side power seat with memory, touch screen music system and electronic rear windshield blind; the car gets reclining rear seats, rear-zone automatic AC and controls for the music system on the rear armrest.

The Superb is a new model and does fair well in terms of the features list as well. The top-end L&K spec variants get sunroof, front power seats, virtual boot, 12 speaker Canton sound system, tyre pressure monitoring, ambient lighting and three zone climate control. It does however, miss out on the reclining seats. On the safety front, the Toyota Camry gets seven airbags and electronic safety net, whereas the Skoda Superb has eight airbags and an even more elaborate safety program.

Engine:

The Camry uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to the CVT transmission powering the front wheels. The petrol only variant has an output of 178bhp and 233Nm. The hybrid version uses the same engine, but coupled with the electric motor delivers 202bhp and 270Nm.

Skoda is offering the car in both the petrol and diesel variants. The petrol versions use the 1.8-litre TSI engine delivering 180bhp and 320Nm. It is available with the choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG transmissions. The oil burner is the standard VW 2.0-litre unit tuned to deliver 177bhp and 350Nm, available only with the six-speed DSG gearbox.

Price:

Toyota offers the Camry only in two variants – petrol and hybrid. The petrol version is priced at Rs 29.12 lakh and the hybrid electric is Rs 32.24 lakh. The Superb is available in five variants – three petrol and two diesel.  The petrol variants start at Rs 22.68 lakh, while the top-spec diesel costs Rs 29.36 lakh.