Skoda Slavia

The Slavia is powered by the same engine options as the Kushaq. So you have a 1.0-litre and a 1.5-litre TSI engine, as well as manual and automatic transmission options.

The 1.0-litre TSI engine is available with either a six-speed manual or a torque converter automatic transmission. With 114bhp and 175Nm on tap, the Slavia feels lively enough for everyday driving. The response is swift, and overtaking traffic is a breeze. The 1.0-litre TSI is refined as well, and with 175Nm of torque available from low in the power range, it goes about its job patiently.

Try heavy stepping it, and you'll notice the three-cylinder engine running out of steam. Revving this engine isn't a pleasurable experience, and it excels at low and mid-range performance.

We've seen this engine in the Polo and the Kushaq, and it feels the same in the Slavia. Skoda promises a 0-100 kmph speed of 10.7 seconds.

At higher RPM, the finesse begins to fade and the engine takes on a harsh tone. The Slavia's naturally aspirated engine isn't as rev-happy as the Honda City's, which revs like there's no tomorrow. Those wanting for extra power might always opt for the 1.5-litre engine.

The six-speed manual transmission performs admirably. Shifts are positive, and throws are short and athletic. The clutch pedal is firm but progressive.

The Slavia also has stop/start technology, which Skoda claims improves fuel efficiency. The Slavia claims to get 18.07kmpl, which is impressive, but anticipate the stats to drop under typical driving circumstances.

1.5 litre DSG

The 1.5-litre engine seems like a whole different beast after the 1.0-litre TSI. The larger engine seems a lot more eager and polished right away. The Slavia has enough of power to play with, with 150bhp and 250Nm. The seven-speed DSG transmission keeps the engine right on the button, allowing for very fast progress.

Skoda claims a 0-100kmph time of 8.8 seconds, which is in the realm of entry-level sports cars. In-gear acceleration is fantastic, and one is never disappointed in terms of performance.

According to Skoda, the engine not only promises thrilling performance, but it is also fuel-efficient. Along with Start/Stop and Active Cylinder Technology, which automatically shuts down two cylinders when the car is not in use, the claimed fuel economy number sits at 18.41 kmpl, which is excellent but will be confirmed in our road test.

When it comes to design, one glance at the Slavia and you know it's a Skoda. The Slavia instantly reminds me of the now-defunct Rapid, and it appears to be a larger, more developed version of it.

Starting with the front, the hexagonal grille with these vertical slats takes centre stage. You also get a chrome surround to give a touch of class. Skoda names the headlights Crystalline LED headlamps with L-shaped DRLs that seem quite similar to the ones on the Kushaq. As you move down, you'll see an air dam with a honeycomb effect. The honeycomb effect is also seen in the fog lamp housing.

The Slavia now has a sporty look as it moves to the side. It isn't as swoopy as the coupe-like Verna, but it has a sportier side profile than the Honda City.

There are a lot of cuts and creases, as well as some additional elements like this fender garnish and this chrome trim on the C-pillar. The 16-inch Ving alloy wheels add a splash of colour.

Moving to the rear, things are a little more mundane. The split tail lights have the same crystalline look, as does the large Skoda emblem that runs over the top. Overall, the Slavia is a nice-looking sedan, and it helps that it resembles a smaller Octavia.

The steering wheel is the first item you see on the interior. The two-spoke steering wheel looks and feels fantastic, adding significantly to the overall feel-good aspect.

Then there's the two-tone dash, which is fairly tastefully designed. There's also a gold ring going across the dash, which can be hit or miss.

The 10-inch infotainment system, which sits in a slightly protruded region and looks terrific, is a clear hit. The instrument panel has a piano black surround and an eight-inch virtual cockpit with very clean visuals and a lot of information on the interior.

Like on the outside, there are subtle features on the inside, such as the Skoda logo on the side of the instrument console.

Moving on to the seats, they are extremely comfy and provide adequate support. The steering wheel has rake and reach adjustable, making it simple to select a comfortable driving position. These chairs also include a cooling function, and the co-passenger seat may be adjusted in height.

There is enough of legroom in the back, and the backrest angle is also exactly ideal. What isn't as impressive is the under thigh support, which should be improved. The breadth is also comparable to that of the Kushaq, although more on rear seats will be revealed when we examine the vehicle.

The Slavia's boot capacity is one of its main selling points. What you can see here is 521 liters of boot capacity, which is more than the City and significantly more than the Verna. But that's not all; the Slavia has another trick up its sleeve. These seats fold, increasing the capacity to a whopping 1050 liters, which is comparable to most SUVs.

The Slavia is crammed with features, which is an essential element of any car's armament.

The 10-inch infotainment system, virtual cockpit, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, ventilated leather seats, electric sunroof, eight-speaker sound system with a subwoofer, air purifier, and other features are included.

Let's talk about the riding quality immediately. The ride quality is stiff, as with all Skodas, and you can feel the bumps at low speeds. However, as the pace increases, the Slavia rides flat on undulations and the ride quality improves noticeably.

Will the Slavia roll in the bends with 179mm of ground clearance, or has Skoda gotten it right?

They have, indeed, gotten it right. The suspension balance is perfect, and the Slavia corners are perfectly flat. The steering, which feels straight and has enough weight to encourage confidence, also helps. When you push it hard through bends, there is some understeer, but the ESP isn't too intrusive and allows you to straighten your path.

Well, Skoda Slavia is definitely a good ride.

The Slavia comes standard with six air bags, ABS, EBD, a multi-collision brake, hill hold, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring, rain sensors, and disc brake cleaning.

So, now that we've seen the Slavia inside out, what do we think?

The Slavia is a fantastic product. It has the aesthetics, it has the features, the 1.0-litre engine delivers decent performance, and there is also the option of the stonking 1.5-litre engine. It also has SUV-rivaling trunk capacity and ground clearance.

But will that be enough to pull SUV buyers or make it the king of the sedan segment. Skoda, to some extent has tried to shake up the segment with Slavia being priced between 11- 18 Lakh. The product is already promising and ticks every boxes (almost). The 1.0-litre version will be available in three variants and we expect the Slavia prices to start at around Rs. 11.5 lakh which will undercut the Honda City.

Can Skoda outdo itself and pluck a rabbit out of the hat? I guess we'll have to wait and see.