Unmasking the Skoda Slavia: City Sleek With a Dash of Sneaky Speed

Meet the Skoda Slavia – the car that loves playing mind games on the road. Cruising through city chaos, it might seem like a laid-back companion, with a hint of turbo lag and a seemingly sluggish throttle. But here’s where the fun begins – give that throttle an extra nudge, and suddenly, you’ll be face-to-face with its mischievous side.

Give in to the temptation, and you’ll find yourself in a thrilling mid-range escapade, especially when paired with the manual gearbox egging you on to push boundaries and explore the speed limits.

Making its grand entrance as an India-first product in the mid-size sedan league, the Slavia faces tough competition from the SUV uprising. In a world dominated by the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City, and the Hyundai Verna, Slavia is like a breath of fresh air.

However, merely being a “breath of fresh air” won’t be sufficient to compete in a shrinking segment. The Slavia needs substantial qualities in terms of space, aesthetics, comfort, features, and driving dynamics to leave a lasting impression. The SUV segment has witnessed significant growth, overshadowing sedans, emphasising the need for the Slavia to offer more than just novelty to thrive in the competitive landscape.

Exteriors: Skoda Slavia

The Skoda Slavia boasts impressive dimensions, surpassing its direct rivals in width, height, and wheelbase. It is only slightly shorter in length compared to the Honda City. While road presence is essential for sedans, the Slavia focuses on elegant aesthetics with a touch of European flair, presenting a pleasing yet contemporary design. The hexagonal grille, bordered by chrome surrounds, immediately identifies it as a Skoda. LED headlights with L-shaped DRLs contribute to its modern appearance.

On the side, the large wheelbase and high ground clearance are noticeable, providing a statement of stability and adaptability to various road conditions. The sedan features 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome-accented door handles, prominent body lines, and expansive windows with chrome garnish. The rear showcases split LED tail lights, ‘SKODA’ lettering on the tailgate, and a wide rear, facilitating easy loading into the spacious 521-litre boot.

The boot space is a standout feature, surpassing competitors like the City, Ciaz, and Verna. With a loading lift that isn’t too high and split-fold rear seats for additional cargo space, the Slavia offers practicality. However, a minor flaw lies in the somewhat flimsy covering of the upper portion of the boot, exposing wiring on either side.

Interiors: Skoda Slavia

Entering the Skoda Slavia, the emphasis on premium features is evident, particularly in the interior design. The sedan prioritises space, offering generous legroom, knee room, and space for three passengers at the back. 

While headroom is satisfactory, there could be a slight improvement in underthigh support. The centre console is well-designed, incorporating rear AC vents and Type-C charging points without intruding into floor space. However, the absence of a conventional USB point or a 12V charger may be noted.

The interior lacks a shade on the rear windows, a feature that could complement the car’s premium credentials. Nevertheless, all windows are large, and a conventionally-sized sunroof contributes to a pleasant ambiance. 

The beige and black colour theme on the seats and dashboard enhances the visual aesthetics, while the wide, horizontal layout of the dashboard with piano black and bronze finish, ambient lighting, and circular AC vents with chrome trim adds a chic touch. The dashboard features a utility recess behind the large 10-inch infotainment screen.

Both the infotainment screen and the eight-inch all-digital driver display are bright, vivid, and responsive to touch, minimising sun glare. 

The main screen provides a range of AV, NAV, and Skoda Connect App-related options, supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Wireless charging for compatible phones and two Type-C charging points are available. 

The air conditioning controls are touch-enabled, similar to those in the Kushaq, and the central console with the gearbox includes controls for lock/unlock and cooling for the front seats.

Skoda Slavia: Engine & Performance

The Skoda Slavia is available in three trims – Active, Ambition, and Style, with two engine options (1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI) and three transmission choices.

The Slavia delivers 147 bhp (1.5-litre TSI), 113 bhp (1.0-litre TSI) and 250 Nm (1.5-litre TSI), 178 Nm (1.0-litre TSI) of torque, providing an enjoyable driving experience.

The engine’s eager nature and torque figure contribute to confident strides, making the Slavia fun to drive within city limits and on open roads. The automatic transmission adeptly handles shifts, ensuring a smooth driving experience.

The well-balanced steering setup suits both city and highway driving, and the suspension is finely tuned. With its high ground clearance, the Slavia confidently tackles speed breakers. The car exhibits control over NVH levels, and while there may be some engine noise under heavy acceleration, it doesn’t compromise the overall refinement and premium feel of the vehicle.

The electronic differential lock enhances grip, especially during tight corners, and the Slavia maintains stability even with some degree of body roll for rear passengers. Overall, the Slavia proves to be a well-rounded and enjoyable sedan, offering a comfortable and refined driving experience.

Skoda Slavia: Final Verdict and Price 

The Skoda Slavia impresses with its solid offering in terms of space, features, and the peppy engine choice, makes a compelling case for the car. As the second car under Skoda’s MQB platform, following the Kushaq, the Slavia represents a positive step forward for the brand.

Starting at ₹10.69 lakh, the Slavia’s pricing positions it as a relatively expensive option. The top-end 1.0-litre variant with an automatic transmission is priced at ₹15.39 lakh (ex-showroom). While the Slavia is a pricier option compared to the Verna SX Opt Turbo (petrol) by around a lakh, it surpasses the Honda City ZX CVT by approximately ₹30,000.

Despite its cost, the Slavia has the potential to lead the mid-size sedan segment in the country, given its strong features and performance. Skoda’s continued post-sales network expansion and the product’s durability will be crucial factors for its success in this segment. If these aspects align, the Slavia could become a common sight on Indian roads in the future.