New Skoda Slavia Sedan: Specifications & Features — First Look Review

New Delhi: The arrival of a new sedan surely comes across as a breath of fresh air thanks to the non-stop launches of new SUVs. Sedans still and will have a market but it seems carmakers are not interested to do the hard work and exploring that market. Skoda, on the other hand, has a history with its sedans in India. It started its India journey with the Octavia while also being successful with its Superb and Rapid. The Slavia holds greater importance since it is the second car to come out from the MQB-A0-IN project. The Slavia is a C-segment midsize sedan and would be launched towards the starting of next year. However, we recently had a quick first look at the new sedan to tell you what all there is to know about it.

Exteriors

When you first see it, the Slavia looks more like a D-segment sedan and looks larger than many of its rivals. It certainly looks big and carries the premium sedan look with classic Skoda styling details. It is a well-proportioned sedan with clean surfaces and crisp lines that we have seen on the Octavia and other Skoda sedans like the Superb. It has a length of 4,541mm while also being the widest at 1,752mm. The design comes across as typical Skoda with the new design hexagonal chrome grille while the bonnet is sculpted along with slim headlamps. There are LED DRLs of course but the lower half of the bumper is also nicely done for an elegant look. The side view gets a clear character line running across while the shape is a pure sedan. The top-end version comes with 16-inch alloys and do a decent job of providing a nice stance. The rear also has a smooth shape with C-shape tail lamps. There are five colour options with the blue version looking particularly good. A big USP is the excellent build quality and the paint finish which is similar to more expensive luxury cars.

Interiors

If the exteriors impressed us, then the interiors also prove to be a surprise in terms of being premium. It actually looks and feels closer to the Octavia along with having a quality feel. There is a dual-tone colour scheme being used while the dashboard has a nice layer of contrasting accents which continues onto the AC vents. It feels expensive, this cabin and the two-spoke steering wheel along with knurled switchgear are further pointing towards that direction. The cabin has an airy feel with a big 10-inch touchscreen and a clutter-free centre console. In terms of features, you get leather upholstery, an electric sunroof, ventilated seats, climate control, a digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six airbags, USB-Type C ports, Multi-Collision Brake and a rearview camera with sensors. The touchscreen has a nice and crisp touch functionality while the digital dials have a simple configurability but with a clear layout. Skoda has also given the Slavia, the longest wheelbase in its class at 2,651 mm which translates to a roomy cabin. The rear seats are decent in terms of legroom and the seats themselves are comfortable enough. It is more of a comfortable four-seater and well suited for being chauffeur driven. The boot at 521 litres is also massive.

Engines

The Slavia will debut with a line-up of two turbo petrol engines from the launch itself. The engine options are similar to the Kushaq with 1.0-litre turbo petrol with 115hp while the bigger 1.5-litre TSI comes with 150hp and 250Nm. The 1.0l comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter while the 1.5l TSI comes with a 7-speed DSG along with a 6-speed manual as standard. A start/stop system is also there while the 1.5 TSI gets a cylinder shut down function to save fuel.

First verdict

The Slavia has indeed impressed us at this first look and a lot has to do with its premium looks, bigger size and good equipment levels. The fact that it is more powerful than rivals also makes this a stronger proposition. It surely looks and feels like a sedan belonging to a higher segment rather than a C-segment midsize. We do hope Skoda will price it well given the localization but without the price or a full drive review, the Slavia still makes a strong first impression as a sedan that you would want to trade in your SUV for.