Skoda was kind enough to send me a car for a spin on the Greater Noida Expressway. To add some spice to the test drive, we threw in its old nemesis and the current best in class, Honda Accord, for a comparison. This one was going to be a more interesting comparison story than one had set out for.

With the new Superb, Skoda has managed to give it some unique identity, but this car is less intimidating than before. Shorter front and rear overhangs reduce the visual bulk and despite being 30 mm longer than before, the wheelbase is shorter by a similar amount. There?s no lack of chrome. Honda Accord is simply huge. Not just visually, but even when one is behind the wheel which gives the feel of a king on the road by just shelling out Rs 20 lakh.

Now lets get to the interiors of both the beasts. Take the touch-screen audio system for instance. It’s the best in its class. Not only is the driver?s seat electrically adjustable, even the front passenger seat boasts of the same. There are so many neat little touches like these that one can discover something new even after owning the car for a couple of months. Quality surfaces, nice use of colours and the overall fit and finish elevate it to best in class. Of course, in typical Skoda fashion, you also get the multi-information display unit and the neatly tucked away umbrella in the rear-passenger door.

In comparison, the Accord feels naked. It doesn?t have even a sunroof for crying out loud! The materials have a nice feel to them but don?t feel as solid. Moreover, the huge display on top of the central console does nothing more than display the audio controls and air-con fan speeds. There?s no multi-information display to even tell how much the i-VTEC is stretching that litre of petrol ? heck, one gets that even on a City! So Honda has a lot to deliver in terms of kit when this Accord goes through a facelift, without a substantial increase in price.

But, both have very good legroom at the rear. The Accord?s seats also give a feel of touch softer, while the Superb offers more shoulder support upfront. Underthigh support is best in the Accord, though.

This is probably the one factor that influences one?s buying decision the most in this segment. And for good reason too. The Accord offers a very plush ride. It feels the more supple of the two thanks to better compression characteristics. Coupled with a really well designed rear seat, the Accord can provide the most pleasurable ride in a straight line on decent roads.

Despite a slightly firmer ride, the Superb?s low-speed ride isn?t in line with the Accord. But as speeds increase, the Superb feels more planted and doesn?t tend to yo-yo like its Japanese rival.

Skoda has comprehensively changed the Superb to not only stamp itself as different from the rest of the range, it?s a complete inside-out job The Accord feels completely outclassed and outdone by this new kid on the block, proving that the current Accord is too much of an evolution of the last gen. Then again, Skoda have a long way to go as far as sales and after-sales service is concerned in India.