embera crdi or skoda laura elegance

bajwasingh · 3rd June 2007, 00:45

hi everyone im new to team bhp. its a very informative forum. guys im in a fix plz help me out ive shortlisted two cars
1 hyundai embera crdi
2 skoda laura diesel elegance
can u guys plz advise me which is a better buy frm the above 2 im nt tht much concerned abt tht snob value i jus wana car that is better in perfomace of the above 2 ,easier on the pocket and good to look at .i found out that crdi engines are not tht reliable bcoz hav seen a few of them fail in the accent and also the now discontinued terracan .guys any inputs frm u wil be helpful .bye tc

navin · 3rd June 2007, 10:17

please read the rules. rule 1 forbids the use of SMS.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/announ...e-posting.html

I had to read your post 3 times just to understand it.

bajwasingh · 3rd June 2007, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

please read the rules. rule 1 forbids the use of SMS.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/announ...e-posting.html

I had to read your post 3 times just to understand it.

ok will be care ful in the future while posting not to use short forms

dadu · 4th June 2007, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajwasingh

i found out that crdi engines are not tht reliable bcoz hav seen a few of them fail in the accent and also the now discontinued terracan .

From where did you pick that up, CRDI technology is quite reliable and is used in most new generation vehicles.

Even the diesel engines pulling those bogeys in the Indian Railways use CRDI technology, have you seen any stall on the tracks

Proxima · 4th June 2007, 21:50

I would suggest the Embera CRDi. Its bigger, cheaper and easier to maintain(being a Hyundai).

The Laura has more snob value but is more expensive.

theMAG · 4th June 2007, 21:58

Difficult choice! The Sonata has a good engine with a 6-speeder, while the Laura has a decent engine with the DSG. See if Skoda wont give a DSG that you can plonk into the Embera - that'd be ideal!

DCEite · 4th June 2007, 22:06

First of all, Hyundai CRDi engines are not prone to failures. The ones you witnessed may be one off cases. The CRDi engine is known to be reliable and largely trouble free.

Now betweeen Skoda Laura and Hyundai Embera, i would suggest the Embera.

1. The peformance is nearly the same, specially in the highways. In the city, the Embera struggles a little bit because of longer turbo lag. But it is something you will get used to with time.
2. Hyundai After sales service is better than the Skoda's. Hyundai service is widespread across India compared to Skoda.
3. Skoda spare parts are known to be expensive. This is not the case with Hyundai.
4. Backseat comfort, and space, again, Embera takes the cake.

shuvd · 4th June 2007, 23:08

IMHO, the Laura is a better overall car. But does it justify the premium Skoda is charging? I guess not. Have driven both and the Laura is a more fun drive. The Embera is a pain to drive in stop and go city traffic. The Laura feels more solid and planted at high speeds. So, performance wise, its the Skoda. Comfort wise, the Sonata wins. Rear leg space is pretty good and the ride is on the softer side. It'll be cheaper to maintain too. As for the reliability of the CRDi engines, I have no complaints. Have a nearly 3 years old Elantra CRDi done 35k+ Kms. No issues whatsoever. (the same engine does duty on the Embera, with a VGT). Now, only if Hyundai does something to the gear ratios and or the ECU to improve city drive ability.

Was in the same boat as you. My heart said the Laura but the mind said Embera. Listened to my pocket instead and am waiting for the Laura RS 2.0PD, 170Bhp

maxbhp · 4th June 2007, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Difficult choice! The Sonata has a good engine with a 6-speeder, while the Laura has a decent engine with the DSG. See if Skoda wont give a DSG that you can plonk into the Embera - that'd be ideal!

DSG is not available in Elegance, to me its Skoda any day.

If you can afford the extra premium then I suggest take Laura with eyes closed , you will feel it when you sit in the drivers seat of Laura. I havent driven the Sonata diesel, but from what I hear its got irritating turbo lag and interior fit and finish is not a patch on Laura .

I vote for Laura, and like someone had pointed out , its not expensive to buy , it may be expensive to maintain.

Skoda Laura Elegance is 14.7-ish , even Sontata is nearly as expensive . Its true that you get good discounts that may make you feel Laura is too expensive but remember , you are getting discounts coz the car is not exactly doing well .

Above all just look at both the cars from all angles, Laura is clearly more elegant and original.

roms · 5th June 2007, 00:31

Are you going to be occupying the backseat most of the time? Or will you be taking to the wheel all by yourself. If its the former, Sonata would be ideal.Better ride,more space and comfy seats.Laura feels quite cramped at the back.It certainly wont give you a luxurous feel.Also, it rides on 55 profile tires.As a result,you are bound to feel every mole on the road.Add to that, its not the most silent of places to be in either.There is a lot of road noise filtering in, especially if you are travelling over cement roads.The PD engine is quite noisy on the outside and that somehow hampers the already 'low on luxury feel'.On the plus side, it looks and feels far more better than the 'Accord-Audi-ish' Hyundai.

On the other hand, if you will be doing the driving yourself, Laura should be it. As mentioned by others, Sonata embera has a relatively narrow power band and there is a lot of turbo lag.The Laura's talking point is the DSG gearbox, which I believe is missing the Elegance version.The engine has good punch but its not outstanding as such.You've got to ride on the low end torque on this one.There's hardly anything above the 4000 rpm mark.That said, the handling on the Laura is pretty good, although it lacks feed back.

So Laura- the better driver's car, but only just. Embera- certainly better for the back seaters and much more practical.For snob value, embera scores nowhere and you might earn more ' market value' with the Laura. But since you dont care much about that, and thats a good thing, Embera could be a match.Good luck in your car hunt.By the way, no Honda in that list? Maybe you're bored of looking at them all over the place.But there's a good reason why they are so common on the streets.

roms · 5th June 2007, 00:59

EDIT - Just realised that you require diesels.My bad .In that case no Hooonda required.

AMITSPVERMA · 5th June 2007, 18:29

Practical would be to go for a Skoda over Sonata- as the brand and hence resale value of sonata is down the drain and like it or not - when we spend that kind of money - we like to be appreciated for our car and not looked down to.

roms · 5th June 2007, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMITSPVERMA

when we spend that kind of money - we like to be appreciated for our car and not looked down to.

Oh so thats what practicality is all about! Hmmm,whos driving the car, you or the neighbours?
Sonata is a talented car.Its all about the image, nothing else. And the thread starter mentioned he does'nt care much about that, which is refreshing for a change.

Steeroid · 6th June 2007, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMITSPVERMA

- we like to be appreciated for our car and not looked down to.

Thats a new one!!!

Havent driven the Sonata Diesel yet but I'm told it has major turbo lag. Wont be a lot of fun, then. The Indian version of the Sonata also has plastics that arent in line with those in its league.

That said, a Sonata is more spacious than a Skoda and has a more comfortable ride without really losing out on the handling a lot. Plus Hyundai service is everywhere, is excellent and their spares dont cost a bomb or require you to wait for them to be shipped down from Germany or wherever.

IMHO the Sonata is a very nice looker too - it looks just right from all around.

gunbir · 6th June 2007, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

IMHO the Sonata is a very nice looker too - it looks just right from all around.

Agreed. I vote for the Embera. Isnt there a Pete's chip for it?

3rd June 2007, 00:45	#1
bajwasingh BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ludhiana Posts: 45 Thanked: 20 Times	embera crdi or skoda laura elegance hi everyone im new to team bhp. its a very informative forum. guys im in a fix plz help me out ive shortlisted two cars 1 hyundai embera crdi 2 skoda laura diesel elegance can u guys plz advise me which is a better buy frm the above 2 im nt tht much concerned abt tht snob value i jus wana car that is better in perfomace of the above 2 ,easier on the pocket and good to look at .i found out that crdi engines are not tht reliable bcoz hav seen a few of them fail in the accent and also the now discontinued terracan .guys any inputs frm u wil be helpful .bye tc
	() Thanks

3rd June 2007, 10:17	#2
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,198 Thanked: 9,300 Times	please read the rules. rule 1 forbids the use of SMS. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/announ...e-posting.html I had to read your post 3 times just to understand it.
	() Thanks

4th June 2007, 21:50	#5
Proxima BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 910 Thanked: 302 Times	I would suggest the Embera CRDi. Its bigger, cheaper and easier to maintain(being a Hyundai). The Laura has more snob value but is more expensive.
	() Thanks

4th June 2007, 21:58	#6
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Difficult choice! The Sonata has a good engine with a 6-speeder, while the Laura has a decent engine with the DSG. See if Skoda wont give a DSG that you can plonk into the Embera - that'd be ideal!
	() Thanks

4th June 2007, 22:06	#7
DCEite Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NCR Posts: 3,417 Thanked: 2,559 Times	First of all, Hyundai CRDi engines are not prone to failures. The ones you witnessed may be one off cases. The CRDi engine is known to be reliable and largely trouble free. Now betweeen Skoda Laura and Hyundai Embera, i would suggest the Embera. 1. The peformance is nearly the same, specially in the highways. In the city, the Embera struggles a little bit because of longer turbo lag. But it is something you will get used to with time. 2. Hyundai After sales service is better than the Skoda's. Hyundai service is widespread across India compared to Skoda. 3. Skoda spare parts are known to be expensive. This is not the case with Hyundai. 4. Backseat comfort, and space, again, Embera takes the cake. Last edited by DCEite : 4th June 2007 at 22:08.
	() Thanks

4th June 2007, 23:08	#8
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	IMHO, the Laura is a better overall car. But does it justify the premium Skoda is charging? I guess not. Have driven both and the Laura is a more fun drive. The Embera is a pain to drive in stop and go city traffic. The Laura feels more solid and planted at high speeds. So, performance wise, its the Skoda. Comfort wise, the Sonata wins. Rear leg space is pretty good and the ride is on the softer side. It'll be cheaper to maintain too. As for the reliability of the CRDi engines, I have no complaints. Have a nearly 3 years old Elantra CRDi done 35k+ Kms. No issues whatsoever. (the same engine does duty on the Embera, with a VGT). Now, only if Hyundai does something to the gear ratios and or the ECU to improve city drive ability. Was in the same boat as you. My heart said the Laura but the mind said Embera. Listened to my pocket instead and am waiting for the Laura RS 2.0PD, 170Bhp
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 00:31	#10
roms BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 641 Thanked: 26 Times	Are you going to be occupying the backseat most of the time? Or will you be taking to the wheel all by yourself. If its the former, Sonata would be ideal.Better ride,more space and comfy seats.Laura feels quite cramped at the back.It certainly wont give you a luxurous feel.Also, it rides on 55 profile tires.As a result,you are bound to feel every mole on the road.Add to that, its not the most silent of places to be in either.There is a lot of road noise filtering in, especially if you are travelling over cement roads.The PD engine is quite noisy on the outside and that somehow hampers the already 'low on luxury feel'.On the plus side, it looks and feels far more better than the 'Accord-Audi-ish' Hyundai. On the other hand, if you will be doing the driving yourself, Laura should be it. As mentioned by others, Sonata embera has a relatively narrow power band and there is a lot of turbo lag.The Laura's talking point is the DSG gearbox, which I believe is missing the Elegance version.The engine has good punch but its not outstanding as such.You've got to ride on the low end torque on this one.There's hardly anything above the 4000 rpm mark.That said, the handling on the Laura is pretty good, although it lacks feed back. So Laura- the better driver's car, but only just. Embera- certainly better for the back seaters and much more practical.For snob value, embera scores nowhere and you might earn more ' market value' with the Laura. But since you dont care much about that, and thats a good thing, Embera could be a match.Good luck in your car hunt.By the way, no Honda in that list? Maybe you're bored of looking at them all over the place.But there's a good reason why they are so common on the streets.
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 00:59	#11
roms BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 641 Thanked: 26 Times	EDIT - Just realised that you require diesels.My bad .In that case no Hooonda required.
	() Thanks

5th June 2007, 18:29	#12
AMITSPVERMA Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4 Thanked: 0 Times	practical choice Practical would be to go for a Skoda over Sonata- as the brand and hence resale value of sonata is down the drain and like it or not - when we spend that kind of money - we like to be appreciated for our car and not looked down to.
	() Thanks