New Delhi: Sedans still matter and it is good to see car-makers launching them. Case in point the Slavia which is the all-new midsize sedan set to replace the Rapid. This is an all-new car based on the new MQB-A0-IN platform which was specially made for India.
We have already seen the results of that with the Kushaq while the Slavia is the next step. We recently saw the car for the first time but now we are driving the production-ready version. The Slavia is important and it has taken a more premium route over the Rapid.
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A first look confuses whether it is the Octavia since the Slavia is quite big and styled well. It is classy to look at and looks expensive. Just what buyers like in this class. The grille and the headlamps are large while simple yet clear lines along with chrome go for a premium look. It has a proportionate sedan styling while the rear reminds me of the Octavia with the C-shaped tail-lamp cluster. Build quality? That's again typical Skoda with a solid feel along with a lovely paint finish.
It's all good and the news again inside is largely positive with a nice dashboard with more offered than the plain Rapid. The Slavia gets a two-spoke steering wheel and only these guys do it - which I think is unique.
Next, there is a digital instrument cluster (not there on the Kushaq) while the layout is nice but simple while doing what it is supposed to do. The central touchscreen is a 10inch sized unit that gets a good touch response and a nicely done menu interface. Below are touch-based climate control buttons which take some getting used to. I like the layering with the copper accents and round air vents along with a glass panel. In terms of features, the Slavia offers a sunroof, ventilated seats, climate control, connected car tech, USB-C ports, wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless charging and leather upholstery. Further on, there are rear ac vents, LED lamps, 6 airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system and ESC.
Time to get driving. We are in Goa and the weather is perfect for a nice drive. We will talk about the Slavia with the 1.0l TSI petrol for now since that is expected to be the more popular engine choice due to it being available with all trim levels. The engine is familiar with 115bhp and 175Nm while our test car had the 6-speed automatic torque converter. We feel this is the perfect value for money spec in the Slavia range since the automatic gearbox is smooth along with matching the engine.
Turbo petrol engines offer a better driving experience with more torque at lower revs when compared to naturally aspirated ones. That is immediately felt when driving the 1.0 TSI Slavia. The power delivery is very linear and smooth with no lag from the gearbox at low speeds. At city speeds, the steering requires little effort and so does the act of driving it in traffic. It's refined too and cruises well. The same is largely the case when driving on the highway.
Unless you are really driving it hard, the engine is smooth enough and you don't feel it lacking power. That said, the engine becomes slightly vocal when you push it hard. However, we should also say that the Slavia 1.0l TSI AT also comes with paddle shifters for manual shifting and that's welcome. The narrow Goan roads along with potholes also show the fairly robust suspension. It's much better sorted than the Rapid and feels tough. The 179mm ground clearance is another bonus that makes you drive the car like it's an SUV!
The 1.0 TSI AT is in our opinion the one that appeals to your head and heart. The automatic gearbox makes city driving easy and it's fun enough when you want it too while fuel efficiency is decent too! Overall, the Slavia is a solid effort in the sedan space and finally will make SUV buyers look at a sedan again.
What we like - Looks, quality, smooth engine, space, interior, ground clearance
What we do not - Lacks some features like a 360-degree camera or powered driver's seat.
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