Introduction

The executive luxury segment of cars in India is a space where the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord contested fiercely, but then, the Skoda Superb brought in a lot more to the table. This sedan also enjoyed a free run by being the only model with a diesel engine option. Well, not anymore, as the Volkswagen Passat has re-entered the Indian market after a hiatus of four years. It's the first sedan from VW's stable to be based on the MQB platform, which also underpins the Tiguan, Skoda Octavia, Kodiaq and yes, the Superb as well. Sure these siblings do share the same underpinnings but, they are poles apart. Both the Superb and the Passat are said to have redefined the luxury sedan segment in India and promise to bring the a-game to the entry-level luxury segment. We compare both to find out how they stack up against each other.

Make a statement

Let's talk about the older car first. The Superb, though two years old now, is still fashionable with modern styling. The signature moustache grille flanked by the sleek projector headlamps, nicely chiseled body and sharp tail lamps add to the bling factor. The overall proportions are well-balanced yet glamorous, making it a head-turner. While the Superb’s design can be termed as smooth or silky, the Passat is more crisp and angular. The wide triple-slat grille and LED headlamps with remarkable DRLs make it look very familiar like the other VW cars. However, design-wise it's still smooth and clutter-free. I find the Passat classy yet understated. And though some people might think that it looks "conservative", I think it works in its favour by not being showy. It has a higher degree of sophistication to it than the Superb. In my opinion, if the Superb represents style, the Passat represents success. Still, if looks are the deciding factor, then it's like choosing between a suit and a tuxedo. The tuxedo gets satin details like the more stylish Superb and puts it together with aplomb. Moreover, the Passat is like that celebrity who looks dapper and flawless in a suit.

Step in to feel at home?

Like the exterior appearance, the interiors of these siblings have a slight difference in layout. On the other hand, the finer elements have a stark contrast like the beige upholstery in the Superb as against the black one in the Passat. As mentioned in our stand-alone road tests, both these cars have an ergonomic and functional cabin. They are at par with each other in terms of excellent fit and finish. But there are small differences that will help you in your buying decision. For example, the Superb's stylish dashboard doesn't feel new anymore if you compare it with its cheaper sibling - the Octavia. On the other hand, the Passat's dashboard is typical to VW but still gives an upmarket feel. The long air-con vents running across the length of the dashboard almost end-to-end give it a different feel instead of the regular air-con vents in the Superb. In addition, the glossy black surface, an analog clock and a matte finished wood panel in the Passat are impressive. Furthermore, the attention to detail is what sets it apart. As soon as I entered the Passat’s cabin, there was this wow factor that I failed to experience in the Superb.

While the Passat's clutter-free and simple interior design is overwhelming, the Superb's interior space is fascinating. Of course, I remember how the Passat kept us comfortable for more than 10 hours, so undoubtedly, it made us feel at home. Also, the driver seat benefits from an adjustable under-thigh and lumbar support, adding some points to its kitty. Back to the Superb- with its larger dimensions, it has more space inside and the use of light colours makes it feel roomier. Nonetheless, the seats in both cars are comfortable and accommodating for four with great under thigh and back support. These cabins have the capability of isolating you from the world once inside.

Indulge with every attention

Both the cars are not only spacious but also loaded with adequate comfort, convenience, entertainment and safety features. However there are some noteworthy features that add to the indulgence. Both cars boast of perforated and cooled seats and contactless opening of the boot-lid. That’s not it, there are a few more things that add to that exclusivity. Like the button in the Superb to electrically move the front passenger’s seat from behind. Then there's this cooled bottle holder with wedges at the bottom, which holds the bottle in position so that the cap can be opened with ease. What’s more, the Superb gets eight airbags and bi-xenon projector headlamps, whereas the Passat is a step ahead with nine airbags and LED headlights. It is also loaded with more tech like park assist, GPS, 360 camera, adjustable dampers and four years warranty as against Skoda's two year plan.

Out on the road

Now let’s take a look at the engine and gearbox in both these sedans. The 2.0-litre diesel mill mated to a reliable six-speed DSG transmission is what powers both the cars, besides the same MQB platform. This 1,968cc four-cylinder turbo-diesel motor churns out a healthy 174bhp and 350Nm of torque in both, though in each car it has a different way of producing and putting it down on the road. The diesel clatter can be heard in both but it isn't irritatingly loud. Refinement levels too are on par with one another, however, you have to give it to the Passat's insulation for better NVH levels. Not that the Superb is bad, but the Passat's cabin feels a lot quieter. And though the Superb is equally powerful, it’s the Passat that for some reason felt a little more aggressive.

So let's talk about the Passat now. It gets five driving modes - eco, comfort, normal, sport and even an individual one for further customisation. As one would expect, the engine feels subdued in the eco mode in favour of fuel efficiency. The comfort and normal mode are not very different from each other and both of them make it feel livelier than in the eco mode. Power is delivered in a linear way with a slight hint of turbo lag below 1,500rpm. The engine revs freely till 4,500rpm without feeling coarse but gets a little noisy at high revs. It builds up loads of torque and the six-speed DSG gearbox matches it well by quickly responding to throttle inputs. It upshifts in sport mode only when the needle touches 5,000rpm, but never holds any gear at redline. Dig your feet in the accelerator and brake pedal to activate ‘launch control’. This will instantly put a smile on your face before the car propels ahead with viguor. Brisk progress is ensured to get into the three-digit speeds within no time. Whether it’s driving through traffic or cruising on the highway, the good mid-range and intelligently tuned gearbox will keep the car going. It’s smooth in shifting gears and finds the appropriate gear with changes to the throttle input.

Now, let's get on to the older car. The Superb misses out on the individual mode, but gets the same four preset driving modes like on the Passat. Overall performance is similar with a free-revving engine with ample power and great refinement. And similar to the Passat, the six-speed DSG complements the engine with chunky mid-range providing enough grunt in the city or during high-speed cruising. It is quick too, but the major difference is in the way it changes gears when the accelerator is pressed hard. The jerks are quite evident unlike the smoother transition during the kick-down in the Passat and hampers the experience in direct comparison.

However, if you think the Passat is faster, then our V-Box timings will surely surprise you. The Superb took the honours by sprinting from 0-100kmph in just 8.3 seconds, while the Passat took 9.03 seconds for the same feat. The latter also posted slower times in our drivability tests in kick-down by doing 20-80kmph in 5.24 seconds and taking 6.94 seconds to accelerate from 40-100kmph. The Skoda outshined the VW here with quicker times - 5.19 seconds and 6.46 seconds respectively. As you go faster, the timing gap increases but still remains minor with 160kmph coming up in the Passat in 23.3 seconds and in the Superb in 21.49 seconds. The Superb again has an edge in terms of fuel efficiency as it returned 10.8kmpl in the city and 15.2kmpl on the highway. Though the Passat proved to be a little more fuel efficient on the highway by returning 16.64kmpl, it lost those extra points by posting a city fuel economy of 9.75kmpl. That said, both have a big tank size of 66 litres easily, providing a range of more than 700km.

Ride and handling comfort

Though these cars are not meant to be pushed into corners, it makes sense to know which one will carry the passengers with utmost comfort. So let's get into the ride and handling bit. The newest car here, the Passat, benefits from Dynamic Chassis Control in which adaptive dampers are adjusted according to the setting. Now, the Passat already has a stiff set-up, but still manages to absorb bumps well in the comfort and normal mode. However, in the sport mode, occupants might hear the thud on every bump with suspension getting even stiffer. Meanwhile, the Superb misses out on adaptive dampers but has a plush ride. Also, the soft suspension set-up aids in dissing bumps and broken roads with ease. However, at 1620kg, the Superb easily feels heavier than the Passat at 1550kg. Moreover, the body roll too is much more in the Superb than the Passat. At higher speeds, there is a lot of vertical movement unlike the Passat. That said, this Skoda is still a good handling machine, but still not as enjoyable as the VW. The Passat's stiff ride assures a composed and stable high speed drive experience with minimum body roll, around the bends as well. If the challenge is to provide utmost comfort on long distance touring, the Passat will win the day while also giving you peace of mind.

Now to the handling bits. The Superb has a light steering with adequate feedback making it easy to drive in the city. It also weighs up nicely with an increase in pace, but around bends it doesn't feel as sharp as the Passat. The slight slack around the dead centre position reduces the fun in driving unlike the Passat with an accurate and well-calibrated steering. The inputs required to steer the car in the right direction are considerably less in the Passat than in the Superb. Thanks to this precise steering feedback, the VW feels more enthusiastic to be pushed around corners and offers exceptional straight-line stability. Even on the braking front, both cars provide exceptional feedback at the brake pedal and retain absolute composure even under hard braking. The Superb still inched ahead in its performance in our braking tests. It braked from 80-0kmph in 23m in 2.03seconds, while the Passat took 2.15seconds and covered 24.53m.

Verdict

1st

Skoda Superb

Final Score: 420/600

Price: Rs 39.62 lakhs, on-road Mumbai

Clearly, with so many positive pointers over the Passat, the Superb has won this test fairly and squarely. It's a bigger car, yet cheaper, drives well, is well-packaged and for a diesel to be running around in the city, it makes for an excellent chauffeur driven car. I'm sure buyers will be typically looking at the rear seat comfort in this segment. And with more space at the back and the airy feel, the Superb is better suited to provide an excellent chauffeur-driven experience.

2nd

Volkswagen Passat

Final Score: 419/600

Price: Rs 40.06 lakhs, on-road Mumbai

The Passat might be marked down for its conservative looks and for missing out on that bling factor. It has a little lesser space at the back, but isn't uncomfortable nonetheless. More so, the interiors are well-crafted and the safety equipment adds assurance to its high speed stability. Extra features justify the premium. So then the only chink in the armour is the serviceability and availability of spare parts. Both manufacturers are putting their best foot forward to improve this, which is a determining factor in the buying decision. Despite all odds, if I were to choose one, it would be the Passat as it appeals to both my head and the heart.

Pictures by Kapil Angane

Specification

Test Data