Do you know that the Toyota Prius, which recently celebrated global sales of 3 million, has sold only a few hundred units in India since it was launched in the country in 2010? Do you also know that Honda had to drastically slash the price of its Civic Hybrid so as to get rid of the inventory before discontinuing the model in India? The fact is that even as the world takes to thriftier hybrid cars, these futuristic vehicles have not found many buyers in India. The reason, simply, is high sticker price. For instance, the planet?s favourite hybrid?the Toyota Prius?costs a steep Rs 36.6 lakh in India.
Car comparison: Skoda Superb diesel vs Toyota Camry Hybrid
So last year when Toyota launched its second hybrid model in India?the made-in-India Camry Hybrid?I was hopeful that the car would give the Skoda Superb a run for its money. After all, Toyota priced the Camry Hybrid below the psychological level of R30 lakh and closer to what you pay for the Superb diesel. But that didn?t quite happen. The Superb remains the largest selling car in its segment and, after the facelift, looks fresh.
With Honda Accord now discontinued, Volkswagen Passat rumoured to be so, and both Nissan Teana and Hyundai Sonata not selling much, the Camry Hybrid, because of its exclusivity, remains the only strong contender in the Superb?s area of dominance. We find out which of these two is a better car? Or at least better value for money in the Indian context?
Is hybrid a new phenomenon?
It was more than a century ago that the first hybrid was developed?the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid made by Ferdinand Porsche was the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle in the world. But, back then, or even until the 1980s, there was no need to invest in hybrid R&D because of the low cost of petroleum (thus low cost of running vehicles) and comparatively little environmental consciousness. Then the times started to change. And the planet?s favourite hybrid?the Prius?took birth. Interestingly, the Prius went on sale in Japan on December 10, 1997, a day before Kyoto (December 11, 1997). (Toyota Prius review: http://goo.gl/AaoACK)
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Exterior
What works against the Camry Hybrid is its appearance. But for a badging on the sides and a blue Toyota logo, it looks exactly like the regular Camry. Yes, it is a large car but it doesn?t come across as the most identifiable designs on the road.
Interior
The Hybrid System Indicator on the meter gives a sense of superior technology. Then, the windshield is an acoustic glass that absorbs wind noise. Both the front powered seats are ventilated?cool air flows through micro vents on the cushion and back support to remove moisture. But, unlike the Prius, you don?t get a head-up display?which projects driving information on the lower part of the windshield, minimising eye movement.
Rear seat
Because this car would primarily be chauffeur-driven, Toyota has made the rear seat as cosy as possible. In fact, calling the rear area a ?seat? would be an understatement?it is a ?sofa? instead, one that can be reclined! The rear armrest allows you to control rear windshield sunshade, audio system, AC and you get a 12V power socket. There are assist grips fitted on the back of front seats that ensure easy ingress and egress. At the touch of a button, the rear passenger can slide the front passenger seat according to his convenience.
Drive
From standstill until you gradually reach about 40 kmph, there is no sound from the car?the reason, it runs exclusively on the electric motor. Floor the accelerator and the petrol engine comes to life, and in conjunction with the electric motor, it literally shoots the car ahead?the 2.5-litre petrol engine and the electric motor together generate an output of 205 PS. When you, say, approach a traffic signal and press the brakes, the regenerative braking system turns the car?s kinetic energy into electric energy and charges the batteries. On a complete stop at the traffic signal, the petrol engine shuts off but the electric motor remains on, ensuring the car?s AC is running, without unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions associated with idling. The certified mileage for this 1,625-kg car is an impressive 19.16 kmpl?driving around Delhi, we got a maximum of 17 kmpl.
Skoda Superb diesel
Exterior
Although the Superb is not exactly stunning, you will appreciate its timeless design. The recent facelift has given the Superb a completely new front and rear, yet the elements of the Skoda brand are visible: clear lines, elegant feel and balanced proportions. The front gets new grille, headlamps, bumpers and bonnet. At the rear, the new tail-lamps look pretty.
Interior
Skoda claims that the Superb offers the largest luggage compartment and the most legroom for rear passengers in its segment. You have 565 litres of boot capacity, expandable to a huge 1,700 litres with the rear seats completely folded. In the boot, there are interesting touches such as two foldable hooks that help keep your shopping bags upright and six load-anchoring points that allow you to secure larger baggage. Rear passengers can access the luggage compartment by lowering the centre armrest and using the access hatch provided. For front passengers, a nice touch is the diffused footwell lighting, which enhances visibility in the cabin floor area without interfering with the driver?s vision.
Rear seat
The Superb has a cosseting feature for rear passengers?it is the only car in its class that comes with an ergonomically angled lounge step for your feet. The rear seat armrest, though not as futuristic as the Camry?s, comes with a storage compartment and retractable cup holders with adjustable grippers. The rear AC vents are placed on the B-pillars of the car and the rear centre console displays the outside temperature and time.
Drive
The 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine powering the Superb produces a maximum output of just 140 PS, but don?t be fooled by the numbers. On an open road, just as you press the accelerator, the engine growls and the car effortlessly picks up speed?the real shove comes past 2,000 rpm, and it pulls through rapidly from there on. The Superb, in fact, is an excellent combination of good body control in corners and composed poise at high speeds. It also comes with a dual-clutch DSG gearbox that changes gears faster than any other geared transmission. The certified mileage for this 1,644-kg car is a decent 17.2 kmpl?driving around Delhi, we got a maximum of 14 kmpl.
A superb story
Apparently, it was Czech president Milos Zeman, embarrassed at having to use a German car for his official duties, who prompted Prague to initiate plans for a top saloon to slot in above the medium range Octavia. What the president originally wanted was a stretched Octavia, but since the Octavia, in a way, is already a stretched version of the smaller Volkswagen Golf, creating a limousine out of it was asking a bit much. However, what could be provided was a stretched Volkswagen Passat. And such a vehicle had already been created for the Chinese market. All the Czechs then had to do was to Skoda-ise it. That?s how the modern Superb was born.
Verdict
For R29.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Camry Hybrid doesn?t come cheap. Remember, in Indian traffic conditions, you don?t get that good a fuel-efficiency to offset your high buying costs. And, unlike the Prius, the Camry Hybrid doesn?t come across as the most identifiable designs on the road. But yes, by owning a Camry Hybrid, you are at least contributing to cleaner air in your city and setting a benchmark for others. And because it is a Toyota, you can be assured of unbeatable reliability and better after-sales service.
However, the Superb diesel, from R23.07 lakh to R24.8 lakh, is clearly better value-for-money. Agreed, the Superb is not as technologically advanced, but it feels like a full-fledged limo?the new design is more up-market, the cabin cosseting and the DSG gearbox ensures it is more fun to drive. If you can ignore Skoda?s alleged poor after-sales service, the Superb is a better car to buy. And in certain rare conditions, the Superb can also prove to be the safer option?while the Camry Hybrid gets four front airbags, the Superb gets eight all around.
