Product differentiation

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In marketing, product differentiation (also known simply as "differentiation") is the process of
distinguishing the differences of a product or offering from others, to make it more attractive to a
particular target market. This involves differentiating it from competitors' products as well as
one's own product offerings.
Differentiation is a source of competitive advantage. Although research in a niche market may
result in changing your product in order to improve differentiation, the changes themselves are
not differentiation. Marketing or product differentiation is the process of describing the
differences between products or services, or the resulting list of differences. This is done in order
to demonstrate the unique aspects of your product and create a sense of value. Marketing
textbooks are firm on the point that any differentiation must be valued by buyers (e.g. [1]). The
term unique selling proposition refers to advertising to communicate a product's differentiation
[2]
.
In economics, successful product differentiation leads to monopolistic competition and is
inconsistent with the conditions for perfect competition, which include the requirement that the
products of competing firms should be perfect substitutes.
The brand differences are usually minor; they can be merely a difference in packaging or an
advertising theme. The physical product need not change, but it could. Differentiation is due to
buyers perceiving a difference, hence causes of differentiation may be functional aspects of the
product or service, how it is distributed and marketed, or who buys it. The major sources of
product differentiation are as follows.
• Differences in quality which are usually accompanied by differences in price
• Differences in functional features or design
• Ignorance of buyers regarding the essential characteristics and qualities of goods they are
purchasing
• Sales promotion activities of sellers and, in particular, advertising
• Differences in availability (e.g. timing and location).
The objective of differentiation is to develop a position that potential customers see as unique.
Differentiation primarily impacts performance through reducing directness of competition: As
the product becomes more different, categorization becomes more difficult and hence draws
fewer comparisons with its competition. A successful product differentiation strategy will move
your product from competing based primarily on price to competing on non-price factors (such
as product characteristics, distribution strategy, or promotional variables).
Most people would say that the implication of differentiation is the possibility of charging a price
premium; however, this is a gross simplification. If customers value the firm's offer, they will be
less sensitive to aspects of competing offers; price may not be one of these aspects.
Differentiation makes customers in a given segment have a lower sensitivity to other features
(non-price) of the product [3].
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla, a name to discover motoring experience
that surpasses your expectations. It is a brand where
performance meets safety. The vehicle comes with
advanced aerodynamic styling that makes the rider feel
like zipping in a sports car

Corolla has been designed for Indian conditions with a performance of a world-class
sedan backed by reliability.

Company Segment

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd. (TKM) 'C'

Striking Features
• Powerful Engine
• High-performance braking with ABS
• Dynamic Front Suspension
• Versatile Rear Suspension

Model Variants
• 1.8E
• 1.8G
• 1.8J

Color Variants
• Silver Metallic
• Light Green Mica Metallic
• Champagne Mica Metallic
• White Pearl Mica Metallic
• Super White
 • Black Mica
New Toyota Corolla Altis
Loaded With New Age Features & 1.8L. VVT-i engine knocking out 132PS
CorollaAltisLe.com/Test_Drive_Now

The New Civic 1.8L i-VTEC

Smokey headlamps, Multiplex Meter. It drives you. Test drive now!
www.HondaCarIndia.com

Interior
• Elegant Wooden Panel
• Front Map Lamp
• Chrome Scuff Plates
• Front Cup Holders
• Stylish Steering Wheel
• Door Pockets
• Spacious Cabin
• Luxurious Instrument Panel
• Rear Cup Holders
• Power door mirrors
• Air-Dampened Hydraulic Glove
• Silhouette Meter
Box
• Power Window with Jam Protection
• Seat Back Pockets
• Front Tray
• Center Console Box
• Driver's Side Pockets
• High Quality Seats
• Headlamp leveler
• Spacious Boot

Price Tag

Grade Model Ex-Showroom Price in Rs.

H1 1.8J 995,450

H1 Metallic 1.8J 1,000,450

H2 1.8E 1,091,400

H2 Metallic 1.8E 1,096,400

H3 1.8G 1,153,800

H3 Metallic 1.8G 1,158,800

H4 1.8G 1,217,090

H4 Metallic 1.8G 1,222,090

H5 1.8E 1,154,940
 H5 Metallic 1.8E 1,159,940

H6 Limited Edition 1.8E 1,136,630

H6 Metallic 1.8E 1,141,630

HE 1.8J 886,620

HE Metallic 1.8J 891,620

The prices are to the close approximation ex-showroom as in Delhi. Please check
the latest prices and variant specifications with your dealer.

Technical Specifications

HE H1 H2 H5 H3 H4

Dimensions And Weights

Overall Length (mm) 4530

Overall Width (mm) 1705

Overall Height (mm) 1490

Wheel Base (mm) 2600

Ground Clearance (mm) 170

Fuel Tank Capacity (L) 50

Min. Turning Radius (m) 5.1

Boot Space (L) 0.43 m3 (430 ltrs)

Kerb Weight/Gross Vehicle

1160/1600 1185/1600
Weight (Kg)

Engine

Type Gasoline, 4 cylinder inline

 16 Valve, DOHC, VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing -
Valve Train
intelligent)

Displacement 1794 cm2 (cc)

Bore & Stroke 79.0 x 91.5 mm

Compression Ratio 10.0 : 1

Fuel Supply System EFI

Max. Output 92 kW @ 6000 rpm/125 PS @ 6000 rpm

Max.Torque 158 Nm @ 4200 rpm/16.1kg-m @ 4200 rpm

Chassis

MacPherson Strut Type with Stabilizer/ETA Beam

Suspension front/rear
type with stabilizer

Brakes front/rear Ventilated disc/Solid disc with ABS & EBD

Tyres Radial 195/60 R15 Tubeless Radials

Clutch Type Dry single plate Hydraulic

Car Models Comparison

Compare Hatchback Cars Compare Sedan Cars Compare SUV Models

Compare Multi Utility

Compare Luxury Cars
Vehicles

Safety
• Foolproof GOA Body
• Assured Braking
• Dependable Airbags
• Side Door Impact Beams
• Head Impact Protection Structure (Soft Upper Interior)
 • Collision Test
• Safe Brake Pedal Design
• 3 Point ELR/ALR Seatbelts
• Collapsible Steering Column

Toyota Corolla Altis

Step Ahead with Style

Japanese auto major Toyota Motors, through its Indian arm

Toyota Kirloskar Motor, has launched its Corolla into new
avatar with name - Toyota Corolla Altis. The all new Toyota
Altis will flaunt new styling and more improved engine
transmission technology for better power with refined
fuel efficiency. The new Toyota Corolla Altis would have
a blend of dynamism, elegance and style, that may be a
reason to worry about for its competitors like Skoda and
Honda.

Inside the hood of all new Toyota Corolla Altis, lies a 1.8 L Variable Valve Timing
with Intelligence (VVT-i) engine that pumps out around 140 bhp. Toyota Altis car,
through its soft plush seats, ample storage space, sound insulated interior design,
centre armrest, integrated audio system, promises to offer a special treatment for
its occupants. Equipped with Electronic Power Steering (EPS), better suspension and
the tight turning radius, the Toyota Corolla Altis offers an efficient and easily
maneuverable drive on the roads. The Toyota Corolla Altis car has been launched in
05 sizzling colors and having an approximate price tag of Rs. 13-14 Lakh.

Company Name Segment USP

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Sedan Refined Looks & Better Performance

Striking Features of Toyota Corolla Altis

• Wider and lower front character line
• Corolla Altis features a distinctive exterior flow lining
• Wing mirror with turn indicator
• Super Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT)
• Corolla Altis has a turning radius of 5.3m
• The front and rear parking sensors
• Plush and soft touch interior paneling
 • Auto climate controlled air conditioning
• Fully integrated audio system
• Tilt & telescopic steering control with switch control
• 08 way power front seat
Ads by Google
The New Civic 1.8L i-VTEC
New Fuel Economy Indicator & More It drives you. Test drive now!
www.HondaCarIndia.com

Model Variants of Toyota Corolla Altis

• Corolla Altis 1.8G
• Corolla Altis 1.8E
• Corolla Altis 1.6E
• Corolla Altis 1.8G Sporty
• Corolla Altis 1.8E Sporty

Color Variants of Toyota Corolla Altis

• Beige Metallic
• Greyish Blue
• Medium Silver
• Silver Metallic
• Black Mica

Price of Toyota Corolla Altis

The all new Toyota Corolla Altis is priced between Rs. 13-14 Lakhs.

(Please Note: The prices are based on the close approximation. Please check the
latest prices and variant specifications with your dealer)

Technical Specifications of Toyota Corolla Altis

Dimensions & Weight

Length (mm) 4540

Width (mm) 1760

Height (mm) 1465

Wheelbase (mm) 2600

Kerb Weight (kgs) 1210 Kgs

Seating Capacity 05

Engine

Model Designation 1ZZ-FE

Type 4 cylinders, in-line 16 valve DOHC with VVT-i

Displacement (cc) 1794 cc

Transmission 4- Speed Automatic with Super ECT

Suspension

Front MacPherson Strut

Rear Torsion Beam

Brakes

Front 15" Ventilated Disc

Rear 15" Solid Disc

Tyres

Type 205/55 R 16

Wheels Alloy

Performance

Max. Horsepower
132/6000
(ps/rpm)

Max. Torque (Kg

17.34/4200
m/rpm)

Steering
Steering Type EPS (Electric Power Steering)

Overvie
w

• Civic 1.8 S MT
• Civic 1.8 V MT & 1.8 V AT
Feature
s
 CIVIC 1.8S CIVIC 1.8V
DETAILS Manual (MT)
Manual (MT) Automatic
(AT)
EXTERIOR Body
Outer Door Colored with
Body Colored
Mirrors Turn
Indicator
Front Fog
-
Lamps
Bumpers,
Body Bumpers,
Outside Door
Colored Outside Door
Handles with
Exteriors Handles
Chrome
Body
Body Colored
Door Colored with
wirh Chrome
Protector Chrome
Insert
Insert
Opposed Opposed
Flat-Blade Flat-Blade
Windshield
Type, 3-speed Type, 3-
Wiper
speed
Intermittent Intermittent
Windshield
Glass & Green Tint Green Tint
Door Glass
Alloy
5-spoke 15" 5-spoke 15"
Wheels
Dual with Dual with
Exhaust Pipe Exhaust Pipe Exhaust Pipe
Finisher Finisher
INTERIOR Upholstery New Fabric Leather
Chrome
-
Door Trim
Interior
Beige & Beige &
Color
Black Black
Combination
Multplex Multiplex
Combination Meter with Meter with
Meter Illumination Illumination
Control Control
Steering Power, Tilt & Power, Tilt &
Type Telescopic Telescopic
3-spoke 3 - spoke
Steering
Leather Leather
Wheel
Wrapped Wrapped
Power
Window Silver Finish Silver Finish
 Specifications Comparison
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla
Model Year 2009 2010

Model Civic Corolla

Body 4dr Sedan 4dr Sedan

Wheelbase 106.3 102.4

Length 176.7 178.7

Width 69.0 69.3

Height 56.5 57.7

Curb Weight 2690 2965

Fuel Capacity 13.2 13.2

R1 Headroom 39.4 38.8

R1 Shoulder Room 53.7 54.8

R1 Hip Room 51.9 53.0

R1 Legroom 42.2 41.7

R2 Headroom 37.4 37.2

R2 Shoulder Room 52.4 54.6

R2 Hip Room 51.0 43.9

R2 Legroom 34.6 36.3

Cargo Volume 12.0 12.3

Top of Page ^

Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla

On this site: (truedelta.com) compare the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in terms of:
• how often they require a repair
• real-world gas mileage
 • owners' reasons for buying (or not buying) them

Toyota Corolla Quick Links

• reliability comparisons »
• repair histories »
• real-world gas mileage »
• "WNTC?" owner reviews »
• Corolla home »
On this page: The Internet's most balanced and thorough car price and features comparison
between the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Including:
• Price Comparison
• Invoice Comparison
• Feature Comparison
• TrueDelta Car Value Comparison
• Customized Price Comparison
• Dealer Price Quotes

Price Comparison (MSRP) : Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla

The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences.
Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.

Model Year 2009 2010

Model Civic Corolla

Trim EX-L XRS

4dr 4dr
Body
Sedan Sedan

Base Price $20,855 $18,860

5-spd automatic $800

5-spd shiftable automatic $1,190

Floormats $199

JBL 440W 8 speakers $1,010

Leather seating surfaces $1,490

 Power Package $635

Sunroof $890

Total options $800 $5,414

Destination $670 $750

Gas Tax / Credit $0 $0

Net Price $22,325 $25,024

Civic EX-L 4dr

Lowest Net Price
Sedan

Difference $2,699

Top of Page ^

Invoice Comparison : Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla

Dealer cost before holdback, bonuses, advertising fees, and such. Also
before adjusting for remaining feature differences.

Models that are not in demand can often be purchased at or a few

hundred dollars over these prices.

Model Year 2009 2010

Model Civic Corolla

Trim EX-L XRS

4dr 4dr
Body
Sedan Sedan

Base Invoice $19,203 $17,256

5-spd automatic $734

5-spd shiftable automatic $1,089

Floormats $130

JBL 440W 8 speakers $758

Leather seating surfaces $1,192

Power Package $508

Sunroof $712

Total options $734 $4,389

 Destination $670 $750

Gas Tax / Credit $0 $0

Net Invoice $20,607 $22,395

Civic EX-L 4dr

Lowest Net Invoice
Sedan

Difference $1,788

Top of Page ^

Feature Comparison : Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla

Adjusts for unshared features -- values in parentheses
These are features on some but not all of the displayed trim lines.

In parentheses are the values assigned to these features by TrueDelta or,

optionally, by you.

Model Year 2009 2010

Model Civic Corolla

Trim EX-L XRS

4dr 4dr
Body
Sedan Sedan

140hp 158hp
Engine
I4 I4

Transmission A5 ($900) T5 ($1000)

Drivetrain FWD ($0) FWD ($0)

EPA Fuel Economy (City / Highway) 25 / 36 22 / 30

205/55- 215/45-
Tires (rear if not equal)
16 17

Audio (watts, speakers) 160, 6 440, 8

Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety

Standar
Brake assist ($50) Not incl.
d
 Cargo Management

Cargo mat ($40) Not incl. Package

Climate Control and Infotainment

Bluetooth cell phone link ($50) Not incl. Package

CD changer, in-dash ($325) Not incl. Package

Standar
CD player ($125) Not incl.
d

Standar
Intermittent wipers ($0) Not incl.
d

Standar
iPod integration ($150) Not incl.
d

Standar
Variable intermittent wipers ($75) Not incl.
d

Exterior

Standar
Body kit ($350) Not incl.
d

Standar
Bodyside moldings ($75) Not incl.
d

Standar
Bright exhaust tip(s) ($50) Not incl.
d

Standar
Rear spoiler ($200) Not incl.
d

Standar
Rear underbody spoiler or diffuser (optional) ($0) Not incl.
d

Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors

Standar
Digital instruments ($150) Not incl.
d

Standar
Fog lights ($125) Not incl.
d

Standar
Heated mirrors ($25) Not incl.
d

Standar
Interior ambient lighting ($150) Not incl.
d
 Standar
Trip computer ($150) Not incl.
d

Seats and Interior Trim

Standar
Center armrest(s) second row ($50) Not incl.
d

Leather door panel trim ($250) Not incl. Package

Suspension, Wheels, and Tires

Standar
Sport suspension (upgrade) ($0) Not incl.
d

Total Feature Adjustments The total value of the features

-$0 -$890
listed for a trim, after subtracting the lowest total.

Top of Page ^

TrueDelta Value Comparison : Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla

These are the sticker and invoice prices after adjusting for feature
differences, to provide an "apples to apples" comparison.

Model Year 2009 2010

Model Civic Corolla

Trim EX-L XRS

4dr 4dr
Body
Sedan Sedan

Net Price (from Price table) $22,325 $25,024

Adjustment (from Feature table) -$0 -$890

Feature-adjusted Net Price $22,325 $24,134

Net Invoice (from Invoice table) $20,607 $22,395

Invoice AdjustmentThe price adjustment multiplied by the

-$0 -$796
ratio between the invoice and sticker prices.

Feature-adjusted Net Invoice $20,607 $21,599

Civic EX-L 4dr

Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice
Sedan

TrueDelta Price Difference $1,809

 TrueDelta Invoice Difference $992

Top of Page ^

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Notes
While we strive for accuracy, the site is not error-free, and prices can change at any time.
The "TrueDelta Value Comparison" figures optionally include rebates available to the general
public in the Chicago area (e.g. they include bonuses from finance subsidiaries but not those for
current owners or the military) and adjustments for most differences in feature content. However,
they do not include advertising fees, factory-to-dealer incentives, or differences in engines, tires,
seat configurations, and audio systems. Exceptions: They do include values for third-row seats
and media players.
Usually the base prices, options, and packages you see here match those on the window stickers.
However, in some cases these have been restructured to simplify the database and calculations.
These modifictions have no impact on the "total" and "net" figures.
Writers: Please acknowledge TrueDelta.com when using these figures.

The new Honda Civic is a damn good car, but the old hands - the Toyota Corolla and the Skoda
Octavia - definitely aren't giving up without a proper fight, so here we go again...
Story: Sameer Kumar Photography Kunal Khadse
WHAT'S CALLED THE entry-level D-segment here in India is quite an action-packed place to
be in. The petrol-powered Toyota Corolla 1.8 and the diesel-powered Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI
have, for quite some time now, reigned supreme. Others have tried to usurp
 their position, without much success. Hyundai
tried with the Elantra - launching both diesel and petrol variants - but did not make much
headway. GM tried with the Optra 1.8, found few takers, and finally got their groove in a lower
niche, with the Optra 1.6. Mitsubishi made a half-hearted attempt with the Cedia. Why?! Nobody
seems to know, and anyway, the car seems to have sunk without a trace. So what gives? It's
simple really. The Corolla and the Octavia were the best-in-class package deals in terms of
performance, refinement, reliability, resale value, and what have you. Much as they tried, other
cars just couldn't come close to the big two
Enter the new Honda Civic, and things aren't the same anymore. Suddenly, the old hands are
looking (and feeling...) their age. Toyota haven't significantly updated the Corolla in the last five
years, and the Octavia is older still. The Skoda Laura is a brilliant car and is loaded with high-
zoot technology, but it's so expensive that it's competing with bigger, more powerful cars like the
Honda Accord and its D-segment ilk, rather than the Civic, Octavia or Corolla. So is this the
perfect opportunity for the Civic to step in and stir things up a bit? Will the older cars prove to be
sitting ducks for the sharp, aggressive new Honda, or do they still have it in them to put up a
decent fight? Let's find out.

As you'd expect, the Civic's styling makes the other two cars look
half a decade old. Which of course they are!

The Honda's sci-fi instrumentation and super-slick interiors are

totally cool...
 The Corolla's interiors are functional and well built, but look and
feel dated when compared with the Civic's

The Octavia boasts of solid build quality, but dark interiors could
do with a bit more colour. Time for a revamp, Skoda...

THE CIVIC CORNERS NICELY, KEEPING A NEUTRAL STANCE MOST OF THE

TIME. TURN IN IS QUICK AND PRECISE AND I APPRECIATE THE STEERING
FEEL...
Style Karma Styling first, and this, the 8th generation Civic, simply blows the Corolla and the
Octavia out of the water. The Honda is angry and edgy and very here-and-now, and when it's
around, the other two are practically invisible. Where the Civic goes, gushing adulation follows.
Where the Corolla and the Octavia go, they, well, go alone. Who would have expected Honda to
give the mousy old Civic, such a dramatic makeover? It's like one of those reality TV shows
where a nerdy, gawky contestant is transformed into someone who's radiant, poised and
confident of taking on the world. The last generation Civic was barely nondescript. This one is
distilled funkiness.
How do the other two cars compare with the Civic, in the looks department? Er, they don't. With
its restrained, Germanic lines, the Octavia 1.8 Rider still looks quietly elegant and understated -
time has been kind to this car - but park it next to the Civic, and you realize how things have
moved on. The Octavia 1.8 RS Turbo, with its 16-inch alloys (the Rider makes do with 15-inch
pressed steel wheels, with plastic wheel covers...), skirts and spoilers looks hunkered down and
aggressive, but the 1.8 Rider just looks too tame and civilized. Skoda really do need to get some
proper European flair, some pizzazz into the next Octavia. Which could be a tad tricky, because
the Laura is the new Octavia, and to look at, it's not all that different from the old Octavia. And
it's vastly more expensive. And we don't get a petrol variant yet, here in India.
Next Page
Source: Car India September 2006.
Moving on to the Toyota Corolla then, and the 'Limited Edition' car we had on test sported a set
of add-on skirts and chromed alloy wheels. I understand Toyota would be trying hard to counter
the Civic with some freebies and add-ons, but why make it so obvious? The 'normal,' unlimited
edition car, with its normal alloys and normal bodywork, looks all right. Nowhere near as good
looking as the Civic, but still quite all right. The Corolla is fundamentally a very good, capable
car that has always sold on the basis of its established merits. Toyota, till you do an all-new
And finally, the Corolla, which packs 125PS and 158Nm of torque. The Toyota does the zero to
60km/h in 5.15 seconds, 0-100km/h in 11.0 seconds and does a top speed of 202km/h. These
numbers aren't far off the Civic's and the Octavia's figures, but the Corolla's power delivery feels
more relaxed and laid back when compared with the other two. Like the Honda, the smooth,
refined Toyota engine also features variable valve timing, and returns an overall fuel efficiency
of 12.75kmpl overall. On the road, even with four occupants on board and the AC running full
blast, the Corolla never really feels underpowered - it's just that the other two cars always feel
tangibly more powerful, more responsive and sportier. The Civic and the Octavia are always in a
rush. The Corolla is happier taking it easy. But do remember, Toyota's reputation for making
supremely reliable and long-lasting engines is legendary, which does count for something in my
book. Ride Away

The Civic's back seat is a comfortable place to be in. Cabin is bright and
spacious. Ride is firm but doesn't get uncomfortable

The Corolla has more legroom in the back than the Octavia. It's a refined and
comfortable car that's put together very well
 The Octavia's rear seats are relatively cramped, but boot space is huge. Build
quality is high - the car looks and feels substantial

Ride and handling? Well, the Civic leads the way yet again. Some of us here at CAR India were
of the opinion that t he Civic's ride is too stiff, but I don't agree. Sure, the Honda feels firm and
taut, but that's quite in keeping with its overall sporty character. It corners nicely, keeping a
neutral stance most of the time. Turn in is quick and precise and I really appreciate the steering
feel and feedback. Like all the cars here, the Civic rides on 15-inch alloys and like with all the
other cars here, 16-inchers would look so much better, and will probably improve handling by
another notch. Still, while pushing hard on wet roads and around some twisty ghat sections near
Pune, I never ran out of grip in the Honda. The Civic is great fun in the twisties - brake late (nice,
powerful brakes, sharp and progressive...), downshift (the gearbox is utterly brilliant), accelerate
hard out of corners, shift up, keep the throttle pinned till the next bend - I could keep doing this
all day.
Coming to the Skoda, the Octavia's natural tendency is to understeer when pushed hard, but its
ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) system keeps things from going awry. It works in an unobtrusive
manner, and helps keeps you in maximum attack mode for as much of the time as possible. Like
the Civic, the Octavia also feels taut, but ride quality is still all right - noticeably better than what
you get on an Octavia RS, with its 16-inch wheels and lower-profile tyres. Steering feel is
notably better than the Corolla's, and the Octavia definitely is more of an enthusiast's car.
Pushed hard, the Toyota can feel a bit flighty. The ride is softer than the other two, but not by
much. The thing is, the Corolla's steering doesn't provide as much feedback as the Civic's, and its
chassis setup doesn't inspire as much confidence as the Octavia's. On wet, twisty roads, you don't
enjoy pushing the Corolla as hard as you can with the Civic or the Octavia. Not the Corolla
doesn't behave - it's just that it's more in its element when driven in a more relaxed manner.
The Envelope
With that, we come to the conclusion. We've covered all bases here - styling, interiors, engine,
ride and handling - and it's a tie between the Corolla and the Octavia for second place. The
Octavia 1.8 Rider is more performance oriented and is more of a driver's car. Buy it and build
upon the basic package. Bigger wheels, fatter rubber, a set of K&N air filters, a NOS kit, a free-
flow high performance exhaust system... the possibilities are endless. Also, the boot is really big,
so it's the car for people who always travel with lots of luggage! The negatives are limited leg
room in the back seat, and overall, a design that now looks and feels dated.
The Corolla is still a very good, capable car. The engine is refined, economical and powerful and
the Corolla's more relaxed, laid-back nature will appeal to many. Its resale values are strong, and
the Corolla should work for years - day in and day out - as a thoroughly reliable workhorse. Its
longevity has been proved worldwide, and that's something that should work in its favour. If you
spend more time in the back seat, you'll probably prefer the Corolla over the Octavia.
But the clear winner in this test is the Honda Civic. It's the best looker here, has the best
interiors, the revvy engine is refined and powerful, the car handles very well and is also quite
comfortable. It's the best value for money, and in this segment, it is undeniably the car to buy.
THE OCTAVIA 1.8 IS THE MOST POWERFUL HERE, BUT THE CIVIC IS THE
MOST FUN TO DRIVE. THE COROLLA IS MORE RELAXED AND LAID BACK...

Corolla next year, keep the engine refinement, legendary reliability and overall competence of
this car, but please, spare us the 'limited edition' specials with their chrome alloys and OTT
bodykits. The Corolla really doesn't need all that!
The Inside Story
Coming to the interiors, the Civic again leads this trio by a huge margin. The Honda's interiors
aren't really any more functional than the other two, but they're so stylish and funky, and
everything is so well executed, that it gets top billing over the Corolla and the Octavia. The
three-spoke steering wheel in the Civic seems a brilliant adaptation of the best sports apparel
from Nike and Reebok, and the two-tier instrumentation (separate pods for the rev counter and
the speedometer), with its purple/blue illumination, seems to have come straight out of the year
2010. As is right, there is no imitation wood anywhere on the Civic dashboard. Instead, there is
high-grade textured plastics and snazzy silver-finish inserts. The driving position is low, snug
and sporty - the machine feels like it's made for driving.
The Corolla's interiors aren't bad, but look and feel dated when compared with the Civic. The
driving position is more upright and relaxed. Whereas the Civic seems to wrap itself around the
driver, the Corolla gives him more space. The cabin is nicely finished, with not a squeak to be
heard or panel gap to be seen anywhere. It's a car which doesn't need any familiarization time -
you get in and drive off immediately. All the controls are where you expect them to be,
everything works just fine. It's a Toyota after all...
The Octavia's interiors are dark and somber - all straight lines and Teutonic efficiency.
Compared with the Corolla, things are a bit sportier, more driver-centric here - the smaller
steering wheel, the properly supportive seats, the driving position. Rear seat legroom is limited,
especially when compared with the Honda and the Toyota. At least boot space is much bigger
than on the other two cars. Another thing is the Octavia's solid build quality - the doors shut with
a reassuring thunk, and everything seems to be hewn from chunks of granite. The Octavia is the
very antithesis of the word flimsy. But overall, again, there is no getting away from the fact that
next to the Civic, the Octavia's interiors look and feel really old.
Power Play
On to engines then, and for once, the Civic's not leading the game. At least not in terms of power
figures. It's the turbocharged, DOHC, 20-valve Octavia 1.8, with its 152PS and 210Nm of
torque, which lords it over the normally aspirated Civic (132PS, 171Nm) and Corolla (125PS,
158Nm) engines. The Skoda engine isn't as free-revving as the two Japanese units but get that
turbo spooling hard and fast, and the Octavia flies. Zero to 60km/h comes up in 4.97 seconds,
and zero to 100km/h takes 9.01 seconds. These are (by a small margin) the quickest times posted
among the three cars here, so the Octavia definitely has an edge over the other two, when it
comes to straight line performance. Its top speed of 212km/h is also the highest in this bunch.
The Octavia's gearshift can be notchy at times and clutch ction is heavier than on the other cars.
Also, the gearing seems marginally taller than what you get in the other two cars. Sure, this
probably helps in relaxed long distance cruising and improves fuel efficiency (not bad at an
overall 13kmpl), but slightly shorter gearing might make for peppier performance around town.
Next up is the Civic. With variable valve timing, its 1799cc, SOHC inline-four makes
132PS@6300rpm. That makes it slightly less powerful than the Skoda engine, but the Honda
revs freely and feels very responsive. It definitely picks up revs more quickly than the Octavia
(and also the Corolla for that matter...), and has no turbo lag to contend with. Power delivery is
sharp and raspy and aggressive - the car enjoys being driven hard, and hence you enjoy cracking
the whip on it. The Civic sprints from zero to 60km/h in 4.99 seconds and to 100km/h in 9.21
seconds. Top speed is 206km/h. The numbers are slightly off the Octavia's, but there isn't really a
huge difference between them in terms of real world performance. Fuel efficiency is notably
better though, at 14.9kmpl overall. The Civic's crisp and precise five-speed manual gearbox is by
far the best in this bunch, and ratios are well matched to the engine's power delivery. On any
impromptu back road race among this trio, I'd expect the Civic to be right up front.

Detailed Comparison - Civic vs Corolla vs

Octavia
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Technical Specifications
SPECS &
Honda Civic Toyota Corolla Skoda Octavia Rider
PERFORMANCE
ENGINE
4 Cyl, In-Line, Intercooler
Type 4 Cyl, In-Line 4 Cyl, In-Line
Turbocharged
Installation Transverse Transverse Transverse
Valvetrain 16 Valves, 4 per cyl 16 Valves, 4 per cyl DOHC 20 Valve
Displacement 1799cc 1794cc 1781cc
Bore x Stroke 81.0mm x 87.3mm 79mm x 91.5mm 81.0mm x 86.4mm
Comp Ratio 10.5:1 10.0:1 9.5:1
Fuel System PGM-Fi Electronic MPFI Electronic MPFI
Max Power 132PS @ 6300rpm 125PS @ 6000rpm 152PS @ 5700rpm
Max Torque 171Nm @ 4300rpm 158Nm @ 4200rpm 210Nm @ 4600rpm
Max Engine Speed 6700rpm 6500rpm 6750rpm
PS/Litre 73.33PS/litre 69.67PS/litre 85.34PS/litre
Power/Weight 106.5PS/tonne 107.75PS/tonne 118.75PS/tonne
Fuel Unleaded Petrol Unleaded Petrol Unleaded Petrol
TRANSMISSION 5 -Speed Manual 5 -Speed Manual 5-Speed Manual
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed 206 km/h 201.90 km/h 212.2 km/h
ACCELERATION
Time
Speed Time Taken(seconds) Time Taken(seconds)
Taken(seconds)
0-20km/h 1.25 1.48 1.23
0-40 km/h 2.40 2.91 2.38
0-60 km/h 4.99 5.15 4.97
0-80 km/h 6.99 7.72 6.88
0-100 km/h 9.21 11.00 9.01
0-120 km/h 14.5 15.92 14.20
0-140 km/h 18.9 22.07 18.32
0-160 km/h 29 34.12 28.04
TIME TO DISTANCE
17.98sec@
Quarter Mile 16.5 @ 131 km/h 15.8sec@ 134.1km/h
127.57km/h
32.88sec @
Standing Km 31.05 @ 162.1 km/h 28.02sec@ 167.8km/h
156.4km/h
ROLL - ON Gear (Time)
30 -70km/h 3rd (9.44s) 3rd (8.92s) 3rd (9.8s)
40 -80km/h 4th (12.07s) 4th (12.77s) 4th (13.0s)
50 -100km/h 5th (26.31s) 5th (18.24s) 5th (28.1s)
MAX SPEEDS
True Speed - SpeedoTrue Speed -
Gear True Speed - Speedo Read
Read Speedo Read
1 58.6 - 62 59.1 - 65 65 - 71
2 98.4 - 104 98.4 - 108 110 - 115
3 150.8 - 157 142.3 - 155 165 - 175
4 195 - 202 192.0 - 210 208 - 220
5 206.8 - 214 201.9 - 220 212 - 226
BRAKING
Minimum Stopping
50.85m / 3.73s 51.33m /3.78sec 49.85m /3.64sec
Distance : 100-0
Minimum Stopping
30.99m / 2.86s 28.67m /2.72sec 31.03m /2.74sec
Distance : 80-0
FUEL EFFICIENCY
Overall* 14.9 kmpl 12.75 kmpl 13 kmpl
Highway 21.3 kmpl 19.5 kmpl 20.5 kmpl
City 12.8 kmpl 10.5 kmpl 10.5 kmpl
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 litres 50 litres 55 litres
Range 670 km 638 km 715 km
CHASSIS AND BODY
Layout Front engine, FWD Front engine, FWD Front engine, FWD
FWDBody/Frame Four Door Saloon Monocoque Monocoque
Brakes Front Ventilated discs Ventilated discs 312mm Ventilated Disc
Brakes Rear Solid Discs Solid Discs 256mm Solid Disc
Tyres 195/65R 15 Tubeless 195/60 R15 RE88 205/55 R16 Dunlop SP
 Bridgestone
Collapsible with Rack & Pinion with Rack & Pinion with power
Steering
power assist power assist assist
SUSPENSION
McPherson Coil,
McPherson strut McPherson strut type with
Front Spring with torsion
type with stabiliser stabiliser
bar
Double wishbone, Compound link crak axle,
ETA beam type
Rear Coil Spring torsion torsion bar with telescopic
with stabiliser
bar shocks and coil springs
GENERAL DATA
Kerb Weight 1240kg 1160kg 1280kg
Wheelbase 2700mm 2600mm 2511mm
Track (F/R) 1495 / 1520mm 1480 / 1460mm 1517 / 1495mm
4545 /1750 / 4530 / 1700 /
LxWxH (mm) 4513 / 1731 / 1457mm
1450mm 1500mm
ACCOMODATION
Seating Capacity 5 5 5
Head Room, F/R 960 / 900mm 940 / 890mm 1030 / 930mm
Leg Room, F max/min 1230 / 1060mm 1100 / 900mm 1265 / 985mm
Knee Room, F
770 / 550mm 720 / 580mm 800 / 510mm
max/min
Knee Room, R
930 / 700mm 900 / 660mm 910 / 655mm
max/min
Shoulder Space M/R 1320mm 1360mm 1340mm
Boot Space (liters) 405 litres 430 litres NA
Rs 12,05,954 (OTR Rs 12,64,765 (OTR
Price as tested Rs 12,39,557 (OTR Pune)
Pune) Pune)
Previous Page
Source: Car India March 2006.