For an automaker that is famous for small cars, the Slavia is nothing if not a daring move. Sedans are seemingly going out of fashion—can Skoda be really so sure about them?
However after a week in this Czech hopeful under varying driving conditions, it is clear that Skoda has created something which in many ways goes against the grain of current definitions but is essential to genuine drivers.”
Sedans are losing share of the market, yet they not done,” notes automotive analyst Rajiv Menon, who has followed India’s automotive scene for more than two decades from his base in Mumbai.Replicating the facilities of a fast charge, it’s quite simple and easy.
That, is the experience Skoda wants Sedan’s cabin to provide-the simplicity of electric-powered progress in its straight lines.
The Slavia’s exterior presents an aesthetic escape from the aggressively styled designs that today dominate automotive design.
Clean lines and symmetrical proportions emphasize a reserved European aesthetic which will age well as competitors become flamboyant and quickly lose their shine.
The front fascia of Skoda’s trademark butterfly grille is joined with sharp LED headlights and, seen from the side, a gently sloping roofline paying price in headroom for harmony in aesthetics.
At the rear, glittering taillights hardly appear excessive marring a package of understated elegance rather than ostentatiousness.
During our urban testing in Bangalore, the Slavia turned heads among the passers-by—it stands out from the array of ubiquitous small SUVs that crowd Indian streets.
In today’s market its uniqueness is unexpectedly an asset: It attracts attention precisely because it is not trying too hard.
At the press drives, Akash Sharma, a member of Skoda’s design team, said: “We want to make something that respects the intelligence of the customer.” “Who wants a car climbing down a stop light screaming all the way?”
Cabin: Space and Substance
In the interior, though, is where Slavia really formed its own personality and distinguishes itself from both of its direct competitors as well appearing quite unlike vehicles that are similar in price.
It almost borders on magic how the interior space is used in such a way: the rear leg room is better than cars of segments higher than its own.
This roominess is not just down to figures–during a four-hour, four person highway stage, no complaints were heard about either the seats or feeling imprisoned.
From the inside out, materials all earn positive marks. Key touch points boast soft-touch coatings and the minor controls appear never to be out of place the master of, switchgear that clicks reassuringly.
Tri-color layered dashboards –decorative components being copper-colored on higher trim levels–furnish a sense of warmth and visual flavor, plus establishes a synthetic look quite distinct from competitors in this segment who attempt their ends with chromed trim everywhere.
The infotainment system, centered around a 10-inch touchscreen, provides the usual connectivity options without drowning users in unnecessary complexity. Physical climate controls–increasingly a rarity even in new cars–are intuitively operated without digital menus.
“They’ve clearly prioritized what’s important in daily use,” notes Vikram Singh, who switched from a compact SUV to a Slavia last month.
“The screen is there whenever you need it, but crucial functions don’t rely on it. After three years of poking at my old car’s touchscreen for even simple adjustments, this approach feels almost revolutionary.”
Principal Competence behind Grounding
While the Slavia may seem tranquil on the outside, it still has the soul of driver’s car, a quality that’s rapidly growing scarcer in its price bracket.
There are two turbocharged engines on offer: a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit producing 115 PS, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder putting out 150PS. Our test vehicle was the latter matched with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.
From the start the powertrain impresses with its refinement, with the engine remaining remarkably cultured even when extended.
Ashore power delivery is linear despite turbocharging, with little lag in either direction and a wide torque band which makes both traffic-careering round-abouts road and long highway straight equally easy.
This is where Slavia really excels: in the corners. There are plain signs that it has inherited its MQB-A0-IN platform from the Kushaq SUV, another vehicle which, although larger and heavier than Slavia, will dance through any set of twists with equal competence.
The chassis balance strikes just the perfect balance between comfort and handling precision. It soaks up the rough stuff without floating away and remains composed when you go fast.
Observing all the rules of the road, the Slavia displayed an entirely relaxing personality to the driver starting out on a new journey.
The steering, while not rich in feel, offers exact response and a natural weight that hands one confidence as the miles roll beneath you.
“That’s exactly why there is still a place for sedans,” explained a driving instructor named Nikhil Patel. He has tested almost vehicles in the class and knows where slippage might occur with continuity (we can add his comment later in this story if you’d like).
“With the lower center of gravity, you feel like your part behind wheel rather than perched up on top looking down. This translates into better control and when evasive maneuvering becomes necessary, greater safety overall-especially with this sort of car.”
Practicality meets Driver Fun
Despite its emphasis on driving dynamics, the Slavia makes no compromises in practical matters like cargo space the essential requirements for a family saloon.
The 521-litre boot will swallow luggage for four without complaint, while thoughtful solutions inside the cabin take care of everyday needs without resorting to gimmickry.
Using our mixed testing route, the 1.5 TSI averaged 16.2 km/l which is more than impressive when you consider how hard this car encourages you to drive.
Though Skoda is still working on expanding its service network beyond major metropolitan areas, service costs remain competitive with segment standards.
” The sedan format actually offers practical advantages many buyers overlook,” notes automotive journalist Priya Sharma.
“The enclosed boot provides better security and weather protection than an exposed SUV cargo area, while the lower height makes loading heavy items physically easier for many people.”
Skoda Slavia New varient
Priced between ₹10,99,000 and ₹18,39,000 (ex-showroom), the Slavia places itself in a premium position among compact sedan models.
On a level playing field with the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Ciaz which price falls over ₹18K to match that of these best-selling compact SUVs in the market today.
No features- the value proposal is seen in the driving experience, material grade and practical spaces. This mature posture contrasts starkly with today’s market which puts such an empha-sis on Specs over Sinn.
” What Skoda offers is a different kind of value,” argues market analyst Mehta. “Instead of democratizing features previously found only in luxury segments, they’re democratizing the driving experience and material quality formerly available only at a higher price point.
For buyers who prioritize how a car drives and suffers over how many screens it contains, this is real value.”
For those willing to look beyond today’s SUV trend, the Slavia offers a compelling reminder of why sedans dominated the market for decades-and what still might lie behind their solid mass appeal.