Skoda Slavia: Sedans have taken a backseat in a market that is being sucked up by compact SUVs, but not for Skoda. Skoda Slavia has proved that the market for midsize sedans can be swayed if the right combination of style, power, tech, and utility is presented to customer just like the automaker managed to combine these 4 features more than perfectly into its latest product.
Developed from the ground-up as a compact sedan for Indian roads as a part of the Skoda’s India 2.0 strategy, the Slavia may replace the Rapid, but is at a completely another level altogether.
So, let’s go on a deep dive and check out what makes the Skoda Slavia a worthy competitor in the midsize sedan marketplace.
Skoda Slavia BORN ON THE STREETS OF EUROPE, BUILT FOR INDIA
At a casual glance, it is everything you would expect a premium European sedan to look like. Its sleek lines, trademark butterfly grille, LED projector headlamps and chrome touches work well to give it an air of elegance without looking like it’s trying too hard.
The bonnet is well sculpted and the 16-inch alloy wheels provide that all important sense of proportion and sportiness.
That time spent on getting to know the Indian road conditions is clearly smart, substantial ground clearance, 179mm, is a nice touch really.
Be it the broken tarmac or a sudden speed breaker, the Slavia deals with it without breaking a sweat, all while retaining a low-slung sedan profile.
Spacious and Premium Cabin
Get inside the Skoda Slavia and you find yourself in a neatly laid out cabin with a mix of functionality and upmarket feel to it. The dashboard has a minimalist, horizontal design, with a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, soft-touch materials, and available two-tone interiors that give a premium feel.
But outside, the Slavia is classiest spacious. There’s plenty of rear leg- and head-room, making it a good choice for family members or those who just like to be driven around.
The 521 litres of boot space is also fairly ample and swallows big suitcases and weekend bags without a struggle.
The seats are comfortable and Skoda has added some thoughtful touches, including ventilated front seats, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a sunroof, and automatic climate control as well.
Engine Options That Deliver
Skoda sells the Slavia with a pair of petrol engines – both of them turbocharged. Then there’s the larger 1.5-litre TSI motor that produces 150 PS and 250 Nm, and in this spec, it becomes by far the most powerful sedan in its category.
Transmission options comprise a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter (for the 1.0) and a 7-speed DSG for the 1.5 TSI.
The smaller unit makes for a perfectly good city/light highway engine, while the 1.5 TSI will appeal to drivers of all stripes with its punchy acceleration and refined gearchanges.
Both the engines, though turbocharged, return decent mileage figures – around 18–19 km/l for the 1.0 TSI, and 17–18 km/l for the 1.5 TSI, thanks to technologies like cylinder deactivation in the larger engine.
Safety and Tech
Safety features are loaded in the Slavia as well by Skoda. It gets up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill-hold control, rear parking sensors and camera, ISOFIX child seat mounts.
The infotainment system is user-friendly and a tech cool 8-inch digital instrument cluster on higher trims is a nice touch. Live Tracking, service reminders and remote operations through the Skoda Connect app-based features.
Pros:
Stylish European Design: Gorgeous exterior body with a sporty profile
Powerful And Efficient Engines: Good efficiency available at the top of the range.
Big inside – Ideal for parents and rear passengers
Luxury Options: Heated seats, sunroof, wireless phone compatibility
Sturdy Construction: No wobble or shaking at high speed
Cons:
No diesel option: Some high-mileage users may not consider an electric only vehicle and the Mazda 2 itself offers a diesel variant for example which would offer extra appeal for some customers.
Slight Turbo Lag (1.0 TSI): Can be felt in heavy traffic Regular6/10 Performance Slight Turbo Lag (1.0 TSI): In stop and go traffic, felt every time, all the time.
DSG Gearbox Is Expensive To Maintain
Sunroof Only Single Pane: No panoramic unit offered by certain competitors
Skoda Slavia Final Verdict
The Skoda Slavia revives the allure of practical, European-flavored sedan and punchy turbocharged engines. It is a standout among a sea of SUVs, because driving it is more pleasurable.
Although there are a few niggles, the Slavia seems a great choice for anyone looking for a handsome and solidly put-together car that also offers comfort and performance.