Skoda Kodiaq Vs Toyota Camry: Sophisticated SUV Vs Elegant Sedan

Skoda’s new-generation Kodiaq has arrived in India at almost Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). While it offers more than its predecessor, it is also significantly more expensive. Another such car, which offers a premium package but is expensive, is the new Toyota Camry, which was launched a few months back. 

Both the cars have their own appeal, and go about business in their own way. One is a 7-seater SUV, while the other is a premium 5-seater sedan! Both are essentially meant to be chauffeur-driven, but won’t disappoint you if you decide to take the driver’s seat!

In this report, we compare their specifications in detail, giving you a fair idea of which car is for you and where you should be putting those hard-earned bucks!

Price

The Kodiaq has the lower starting price, while the Camry is offered in a sole top-spec variant, which is priced similarly to that of the Kodiaq top-spec. Let’s see which car offers more for similar top-spec pricing: 

Skoda Kodiaq vs Toyota Camry: Dimensions

Dimensions	Skoda Kodiaq	Toyota Camry
Length	4758 mm	4920 mm (+162 mm)
Width	1864 mm	1590 mm (-274 mm)
Height	1679 mm	1455 mm (-224 mm)
Wheelbase	2791 mm	2825 mm (+34 mm)

As seen in the table above, the Kodiaq, being an SUV, is taller and wider, giving it a greater road presence. The Camry, on the other hand, is superior in terms of length and wheelbase. Being a sedan, it stands out with its elegance and aerodynamic look. 

Skoda Kodiaq vs Toyota Camry: Features

Equipment	Skoda Kodiaq	Toyota Camry
Headlights	LED Projectors with LED DRLs	LED projectors with LED DRLs
ORVMs	Electrically adjustable and foldable	Electrically adjustable and foldable
Wheels	18-inch alloys	18-inch alloys
Infotainment system	12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment	12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment
Instrument Cluster	10.25-inch fully digital	12.3-inch fully digital
Heads-up display	No	Yes
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	Yes, Wireless	Yes, Wireless
Powered Driver Seats	Yes	Yes
Electronic Parking Brake	Yes	Yes
Wireless phone charger	Yes (2)	Yes (1)
Climate control	Yes (Three Zone)	Yes (Three Zone)
Audio System	13-speaker Canton sound system	9-speaker JBL sound system
Ambient lighting	Yes	Yes
Keyless entry	Yes	Yes
Push button start-stop	Yes	Yes
Cruise control	Yes	Yes
Airbags	9	9
Parking sensors	Front and rear	Front and rear
Parking Camera	360-degree camera	360-degree camera
Sunroof	Yes, Panoramic	Yes, single-pane
Ventilated Front Seats	Yes	Yes
Memory seats	Yes	Yes
Powered rear seats	No	Yes
Parking Assist	Yes	No
ADAS features	No	Yes

Even though both cars are very premium and you get more than enough for the money, there are some extras and some misses on both sides. The Kodiaq offers a panoramic sunroof, an extra wireless phone charger, more speakers, and parking assist over the Camry. 

The Camry comes with powered rear seats, a bunch of ADAS features, and a crisp heads-up display over the Skoda SUV. 

Both have their share of features over the other, and picking one is as difficult as having to choose between a PS4 and an Xbox! 

Skoda Kodiaq vs Toyota Camry: Powertrain

They are not just poles apart in design and silhouette, but also have very different powertrains. The Kodiaq is for petrol-heads featuring the reputed 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which also powers the Octavia RS, albeit in a different tune. The Camry, on the other hand, features a strong hybrid powertrain offering more power but less torque. One should note that while the Kodiaq’s engine has a drinking habit, the Camry with its hybrid powertrain is extremely efficient. 

Verdict 

The two cars are for two very different buyers, but due to their well-rounded packages and similar pricing, these cars will make both buyers consider the other option. Both Kodiaq and Camry’s premiumness quotient and interior quality are on par with each other, but their body styles and mannerisms are completely different. 

The Kodiaq is not a rugged SUV per se, but has the SUV stance and attributes which make it a more practical option. Its 7-seater configuration caters to larger families, but it is important to keep in mind that the third row is mainly only for children and pets. 

The Camry is for sedan lovers and for mid-size families, giving a proper premium chauffeur-driven experience. If you love the sleekness of a sedan and the sporty driving stance, then you should consider picking the Camry. It is also more fuel-efficient if saving on fuel expenses is something that’s on your mind. 

Both these cars offer the Indian buyer a premium experience and a value proposition, making it difficult to pick one over the other. SUVs are on the rise, and have also become the more practical option on our Indian roads, but sedans have their benefits! To know more about the pros and cons of sedans and SUVs, head over to this story. 

Which one would you pick? Let us know in the comments section.