Corolla more agile but Octavia rides better and is more sure-footed

If there's one thing we'd like to change on the Corolla it is the Indian-spec suspension, specifically the spring and damper set-up. Though the ride is fine on smoothly paved roads, it rapidly deteriorates when surfaces worsen. Bumps, ruts and speedbreakers can be felt and that solid, well-planted feel you get in the Octavia is missing. The suspension is a touch too stiff and that is the main reason why you feel every pimple on the road. At high speeds, the ride improves and the Corolla tackles bad roads pretty adeptly but road noise is excessive and you get the feeling Toyota has skimped on sound-deadening material. The relatively light weight and stiff suspension promote decent handling and the Corolla is eager to change direction with just a flick of the steering. Handling however could be further improved by sorting out the steering which, though sharp and responsive, has a strong self-return feel and doesn't weight up well as speeds increase. In the city, the Corolla has a distinct advantage over the Octavia thanks to its more nimble handling, better visibility and lighter controls.

Drive the Octavia hard on a winding road and it will exhibit a fair amount of understeer that is benign and predictable. The steering is not as quick as the Corolla's but is more linear and weights up nicely as speeds build up. The Octavia's ride is infinitely better than the Corolla on all surfaces, at all times. Step into the Octavia after the Corolla and drive the same stretch of road and you'd think it's been resurfaced. The Octavia's stability is also fantastic and tracks dead straight even at triple-digit speeds on a bad road. The soft-front end tends to bob up and down a bit at speed on a less- than-smooth road.

The large wheels, solid chassis and progressive springs work well to make the Octavia the better car for long highway runs. However, poor rear visibility and a slightly ponderous feel in comparison to the Corolla makes it the less user-friendly of the two in the city.

While ABS is not available on the Corolla, the all-disc braking system is well weighted and very linear. Lock-up is also easily gauged. However, the Octavia's brakes are incredibly powerful too and the ABS system gives them an edge.

Skoda is more stable and rides better. Note the optional body kit; Corolla stands taller but stiff springs mean ride quality is a letdown

Optional 16-inch alloys look super on Octavia but cost extra Rs 50,000; hansom looking 6-spoke alloys standard on all versions of Corolla.