Buy the Toyota Camry now or wait for the Skoda Superb diesel in 2027? That's the question if you're a diesel loyalist in the premium sedan space. Skoda has confirmed the Superb will return in the first half of 2027, and it is expected to come with a diesel engine. It's a smart, narrow bet: no other premium sedan in India offers diesel today.
Skoda Superb diesel confirmed: H1 2027 launch, 2.0L TDI engine
Skoda has confirmed the Superb returns to India in the first half of 2027. It is expected to come with a 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine, marking the first diesel offering from a Volkswagen Group brand in India since diesel was discontinued in 2020. Skoda dropped diesel back then before the BS6 emission rules kicked in and has sold only petrol cars here since. This is the fourth-generation Superb, which was shown to the Indian public at the Bharat Mobility Show in January 2025. So the diesel plan has been in the works for a while.
Price: ₹55-60 lakh expected, and why the EU-India FTA matters
Skoda hasn't announced a price yet. But expect the fully loaded Superb diesel to land at around ₹55-60 lakh (ex-showroom). The on-road price will be higher once you add road tax, registration, and insurance, and that varies by state. The catch is that the Superb comes as a CBU (a fully built car imported whole), which attracts steep customs duties. Local assembly isn't an option, as the Bratislava plant that builds it can't make kits for export. Here's the twist: the India-EU free trade agreement is set to take effect next year, and a big cut in import duty could make the diesel Superb, far cheaper than a straight CBU would otherwise be. If the FTA delivers, the price could look a lot friendlier.
Why diesel? The only premium diesel sedan vs Camry, Seale, and A4
This is the whole story. There's no premium diesel sedan on sale in India today, and that gap is exactly what Skoda wants to fill. The Toyota Camry (₹47.48-47.62 lakh) is petrol-only. So are the BYD Seal (₹41.5-53.65 lakh, an EV), the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (₹45.8-48.2 lakh), and the Audi A4 (₹46.88-55.83 lakh). Diesel demand is small but steady, especially for buyers who do long highway runs and want the extra mileage and pulling power (torque). If priced right, the Superb diesel becomes the only game in town for that buyer. That's a clever, if narrow, play.
Toyota Camry
SedanWhat we know: fourth-gen design, CBU import, low-volume strategy
The fourth-gen Superb debuted globally in late 2023 and gets a cleaner design with slimmer LED lighting. Inside, expect a large touchscreen and Skoda's latest digital cockpit (all-digital driver display). Features are likely to include matrix LED headlamps and ADAS (safety tech that can brake or steer for you), plus a roomy cabin with generous rear legroom. Skoda is treating this as a low-volume import, not a mass seller. Its main job is to strengthen the brand and keep the Superb's sedan legacy alive after 25 years in India. It also gives existing Skoda owners an upgrade path within the brand.
Petrol variant timeline and specs (₹35-42 lakh expected, 190-201 bhp TSI)
Our data pegs the petrol Superb in a ₹35-42 lakh range, with the proven 2.0-liter TSI turbo-petrol making around 190-201 bhp, paired with a DSG automatic gearbox. That's expected, not confirmed on price. The diesel variant is confirmed for the first half of 2027, while our data suggests the petrol version could arrive mid-late 2026. Treat the diesel (H1 2027) and any petrol version as separate stories, not one launch. Skoda hasn't given firm petrol pricing or a hard on-sale date. So if you want the petrol, you're still waiting on official numbers.
Should you wait for the Skoda Superb diesel in 2027?
If diesel is a hard requirement, the Superb is your only premium sedan option, so waiting makes sense. But be honest about the math. A ₹55-60 lakh diesel is ₹8-13 lakh more than the ₹47.5 lakh Camry, and at this money, luxury SUVs also crowd in. As our expert takes notes, sedan demand is falling, and SUVs at similar prices are tempting buyers away. Also weigh Skoda's after-sales network in your city before booking a low-volume import. If you want the last premium diesel sedan in India and drive big highway miles, the Superb fits the bill. Everyone else should ask if the diesel badge is worth the premium.
References: Skoda India — official website
