Skoda Slavia Midsize Sedan Unveiled

After the success of the Skoda Kushaq, Skoda India is all set to bring the competition to the midsize sedan segment with its latest launch. The Skoda Slavia is the much anticipated replacement to the popular Rapid sedan that has been the entry point to the Czech brand for many Indians. While Skoda has unveiled the sedan, the Czech brand will reveal pricing closer to its full launch with deliveries expected to take place in 2022. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest midsize sedan to enter India.

Skoda Slavia Specifications

The Skoda Slavia is shaping up to be a very spacious midsize sedan with significant road presence. The Honda City currently holds the crown in terms of dimensions, but the new Slavia is taking the fight directly to the competition. The Skoda sedan will have the longest wheelbase in the segment which translates to having the best interior space for a midsize sedan. Combined with the width and length, the Skoda Slavia is positioned well to compete against the Honda City in terms of dimensions.

Classic Skoda Design

Skoda’s design is one of the most recognizable designs in the world. The butterfly grille is a signature design feature that instantly distinguishes any Skoda car from its competition. The Slavia proudly carries this signature along with its muscular and sporty aesthetic. The sharp, sleek headlights flank the grille and complement the angular design of the front.

The side profile of the Slavia appears to be derived from the popular Skoda Octavia, which bodes well for the new sedan. Owing to the importance of high ground clearance, Skoda has ensured that the Slavia has enough ground clearance to comfortably handle deep potholes and towering speed breakers. The 16-inch alloy wheels further add to the profile of the sedan and should be standard on the top-end variants of the Slavia. The sloping roof line adds a sporty stance to the Slavia, which will help the new sedan stand out from the more executive-styled midsize sedan competition.

The rear of the Slavia also draws inspiration from the Skoda Octavia and the Superb with sharp, angular tail lights and a layered boot design. The rear follows a more minimalist approach as compared to the front. The small boot spoiler and the recognizable Skoda LED tail lights further add to the sporty aesthetic of the sedan. Overall, the Skoda Slavia has been designed to emulate the premium style of the Skoda Octavia while stamping out an identity for itself in its segment.

Sophisticated Interiors

The interiors of the Skoda Slavia look to carry forward the tradition of premium interiors that Skoda is known for. The two-spoke Skoda steering wheel is present here featuring the well-laid out steering mounted controls we’ve come to expect from Skoda. The dual-tone interiors will further help add a premium touch to the interior experience. The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system is integrated well into the dashboard and complements the 8.25-inch digital MID cluster to offer a premium driving experience.

Where the Slavia will excel will be in terms of interior space that passengers can expect. With the largest wheelbase in the segment, rear legroom should be ample while the width will help accommodate at least three passengers in the rear seats comfortably. The boot space of 521 litres will make the Slavia the perfect road trip companion. The interior space of the Skoda Slavia appears to be a premium space that will pamper driver and passenger alike.

Powerful Engine Range

Skoda cars are known for having performance-focused engine and transmissions that are geared towards delivering an exciting driving experience. The Skoda Slavia will be equipped with two turbo-petrol engines and three transmission options to choose from. The lower variants of the Slavia will feature the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine that delivers 115 HP of power and 175 Nm of torque. This engine will be paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. This powertrain will be ideal for those looking for a responsive, fuel efficient driving experience.

For the more enthusiast drivers among us, the higher variants of the Slavia features a more exciting powertrain. The 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine develops 150 HP of power and 250 Nm of torque, plenty of power to make any drive as exciting as possible. This is paired with 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic to transmit the power. The TSI-DSG powertrain combination will be music to an enthusiast driver and will be the go-to combination for those looking for an exciting driving experience.

Skoda Slavia Competitors

The Skoda Slavia, and its cousin from Volkswagen, will be two new midsize sedans that are entering a market that is saturating with compact SUVs. While the Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, and Hyundai Verna are the segment competitors for the Slavia, it is the compact SUVs that Skoda’s new sedan will be truly competing against. With proper pricing and positioning, Skoda will be counting on becoming the attractive alternative for people who want a capable sedan but don’t necessarily want to own a Honda or a Hyundai.