Premium Redefined: New Elantra vs Corolla Altis vs Octavia vs Cruze

Indian market is in the grip of SUV fever, which has opened the market fair and square with premium features not seen previously. The premium features were known to be seen in the sedan segment or rather a premium sedan segment.

Hyundai is bringing back the aura of a premium sedan with the launch of the New Elantra to India. Let us compare it with the best of premium sedans in the country, we pit it against the Toyota Corolla Altis, Skoda Octavia, and Chevrolet Cruze.

Engine Specifications & Gearbox

The sixth-generation Hyundai Elantra will be offered with the choice of petrol and diesel hearts, a 2.0-litre four cylinder, petrol mill which produces 150bhp of power and 190Nm of torque. A diesel powertrain is available as well as a 1.6-litre mill developing 126bhp and 265Nm of torque, both the petrol and diesel engines will come mated either with a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

As for the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Japanese auto major offers the 1.8-litre petrol unit producing 138bhp and 173Nm of torque. The diesel model comes with a 1.4-litre mill developing 87bhp and 205Nm of torque. While the petrol mill has the option of either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed sequential automatic gearbox, the diesel transmission is taken care of a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Skoda has equipped the Octavia with the option of 1.4-litre and a 1.8-litre petrol mill which produces 148bhp with 250Nm of torque, and 177bhp with 250Nm of torque respectively. While the diesel mill comes with a 2.0-litre mill capable of developing 141bhp and 320Nm of torque. The 1.8-litre petrol mill comes with the 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and the 1.4-litre comes with 6-speed manual gearbox, as for the diesel unit, it comes mated to a choice of either the manual or the 7-speed DSG gearbox.

Chevrolet provides the 2.0-litre diesel only option which develops 164bhp and 360Nm of torque and comes mated to either the 6-speed manual gearbox or an automatic gearbox.

Overall Engine Ratings

• Hyundai Elantra 8/10
• Toyota Corolla 8/10
• Skoda Octavia 8.5/10
• Chevrolet Cruze 8/10

Dimensions

With 4,659mm of length for the Skoda Octavia, is the longest among the four sedans; however, on the wheelbase front, the Hyundai Elantra and the Corolla Altis are bigger.

This helps us understand that the cabin space on the new Elantra and Corolla Altis to be bigger, however, the Octavia has better legroom simply because of its length.

Overall Dimensions Rating

• Hyundai Elantra 8/10
• Toyota Corolla 8/10
• Skoda Octavia 8.5/10
• Chevrolet Cruze 8/10

Features

The new Hyundai Elantra will feature LED daytime running lights with projector headlamps, touchscreen infotainment system, keyless entry, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, rear AC vents among others.

As for the Toyota Corolla Altis also features the projector and auto LED headlamps with pilot lamps, reclining rear seats, touchscreen infotainment system, paddle shift gearbox, keyless entry, 8-way electric adjustable seats, cruise control, rain sensing wipers and lots more.

Skoda has featured the Octavia with Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, retractable headlight washers, acoustic warning signal for overrun speed, fuel supply cut-off in case of an accident, keyless entry, panoramic sunroof, 12-way electrically adjustable seats, touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, gear shift control on steering wheel, and lots more.

While the Chevrolet Cruze is featured with projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, electric sunroof with pinch guard and protective mesh, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, touchscreen infotainment system with controls on steering, touch controls for the Auto AC and vehicle personalization settings, follow me home headlamps, cruise control, 6-way electrically adjustable driver seat and more.

Overall Features Rating

• Hyundai Elantra 8/10
• Toyota Corolla 8/10
• Skoda Octavia 8.5/10
• Chevrolet Cruze 8/10

Safety

Hyundai will equip the new Elantra with driver and co-driver airbags as standard and will offer side and curtain airbags on the top variants. ABS with EBD will be seen as well.

Toyota Corolla Altis comes with dual airbags, brake assist with ABS and EBD, Vehicle Stability control (VSC), front and rear fog lamps, rain sensing wipers, parking assist camera.

Skoda Octavia comes with standard dual airbags with side bags at the front, and curtain airbags and side airbags at the rear available in the top trims. ABS with EBD and Hydraulic Brake Assistant (HBA), Anti-slip Regulation (ASR) + Motor Speed Regulation (MSR), Electronic Differential lock (EDL), ESC, and a lot more.

As for the Chevrolet Cruze, safety features include dual airbags and ABS as standard, side airbags on the top variants, auto door lock in case of an accident, programmable auto door locking, anti-theft alarm, and more.

Overall Safety Ratings

• Hyundai Elantra 8/10
• Toyota Corolla 8/10
• Skoda Octavia 8.5/10
• Chevrolet Cruze 8/10

Design

Hyundai has moved away from its 2.0 Fluidic structure design language and the new Elantra is sharp, straight lines, imposing front and looks modern.

Toyota Corolla with its triple slate front grille and the chunky design of the bumper housing the fog lamps and the swept back headlamps feels premium and classy.

Skoda Octavia has the feel of an executive premium sedan, yet it can transform itself for a night out party. The Octavia with its vertical slatted front grille and creases from the front bumper to the beefy bonnet, the Octavia looks solid and bold.

The Chevrolet Cruze, on the other hand, is sporty with its two front grilles, one with a single slat and another with a triple slat makes the Cruze very angry looking and carries off the bold stance.

Overall Design Rating

• Hyundai Elantra 8.5/10
• Toyota Corolla 8/10
• Skoda Octavia 8/10
• Chevrolet Cruze 8/10

Pricing

Hyundai has priced the new Elantra starting at Rs. 12.99 lakh for the petrol and Rs. 14.79 lakh for the diesel unit.

Toyota Corolla prices start at Rs. 13.79 lakh to Rs. 18.67 lakh for the petrol variants, the diesel variants start at Rs. 14.82 lakh to Rs. 17.58 lakh.

Skoda has priced the Octavia at Rs. 16.58 for the base variant of the petrol, the top variant is Rs. 20.83 lakh. As for the diesel unit, Rs. 18.46 to Rs. 22.41 lakh are the prices for the Octavia.

Chevrolet Cruze prices start from Rs. 13.95 lakh to Rs. 17.45 lakh and has only the diesel unit.

Verdict

Hyundai has positioned the New Elantra at a very reasonable price and with its huge network of dealerships and post sales service, the Elantra will increase the market share in the premium sedan segment.

A sturdy and a frugal engine with the honour of the best-selling car in the world and the best of Japanese technology, Toyota Corolla is

If you need a premium feature filled, higher safety features, and specs not seen on other premium sedans, the Skoda Octavia is the right vehicle for you.

Chevrolet has the USP of the looks, bold and strong design edges out its rival when it comes to looks, however, Chevrolet has to pack the Cruze with more creature comforts and features which will make it stand apart.