Sedans Aren’t Dead! Skoda Just Drove In The Slavia At Rs 10.69 Lakh

• Skoda Slavia 1-litre TSI priced between Rs 10.69 lakh and Rs 15.39 lakh.
• Offered in three trims: Active, Ambition, and Style.
• Slavia replaces the ageing Rapid in India.
• Prices of the 115PS 1-litre TSI announced today, 1.5-litre TSI variants will be launched on March 03.
• Notable features include ventilated front seats, digital driver’s display, sunroof and up to six airbags.

Who said sedans are dead? Skoda India has just launched the Slavia, its second MQB-A0-IN-based model, at Rs 10.69 lakh (ex-showroom). Prices of the 1-litre TSI variants have been announced at the moment, while that of the more powerful 1.5-litre TSI – limited to the top-spec Style – will be confirmed on March 3. 

The Slavia, which replaces the long-in-the-tooth Rapid in India, is offered in three broad trims: Active, Ambition, and Style.  

Take a look at the variant-wise prices, and here’s how it compares with its sibling, the Kushaq:

As mentioned above, the Slavia is based on the Volkswagen Group’s localised MQB-A0-IN platform. The compact sedan’s dimensions are more than the Rapid, and it’s a size larger. 

Take a look at the dimensions:

Now, to the design. The Slavia’s fascia is inspired by the new Fabia that is sold overseas. So, the butterfly grille and LED headlights might seem all too familiar, but the bumper is different. In profile, the lines are clean, and the sedan rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels. Split LED tail lamps and the bold 'SKODA' badging round off the design.

The resemblance to the Fabia is even more obvious inside, considering the dashboard design is the same. Once again, the layout is simple and neat, and if you've felt at home inside the Kushaq, you'll take to the Slavia as well. That said, we wish the fit and finish was better since the plastics creak at certain places.

The Slavia features a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, connected car tech (telematics), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8-inch digital driver's display, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, a single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, and cruise control.

Passenger safety is taken care of by up to six airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Skoda's 1-litre three-cylinder TSI engine develops 115PS and 178Nm, and it's paired with a 6-speed manual and an automatic. Soon, you'll have the option of a 150PS/250Nm 1.5-litre TSI, paired with a 6-speed manual and an optional 7-speed DCT. This engine develops class-leading numbers and gets cylinder deactivation tech for increased fuel economy.

The Slavia is available in five colours: Candy White, Brilliant Silver, Carbon Steel, Tornado Red, and Crystal Blue. For total peace of mind, the carmaker is offering four years of standard warranty and roadside assistance.

The Slavia will lock horns with the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. In related news, Volkswagen will be taking the wraps off its Slavia counterpart, the Virtus, on March 8.