Sedans may not be sold in large numbers in India today, but they are not dead yet. For enthusiasts who still love the grandeur of a sedan, the Skoda Slavia is a good option. I have been driving it for almost a year, so here are 4 pros and 4 cons that you should know before buying.
The base model of Skoda Slavia is priced at Rs 10.49 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.33 lakh(ex-showroom) for the top model in Bharat(India).
Pros of Skoda Slavia
Elegant & Premium Design
The Slavia has a classy sedan stance. In the Elegance variant, it gets black paint, “Elegance” badge on the B-pillar, steering wheel, seat belt cushions, rear neck pillows, aluminum pedals and illuminated scuff plates with Slavia branding. The interior also has a premium look with a stylish two-spoke steering wheel, comfortable ventilated seats and a clean layout.
Strong 1.5L TSI Performance
- 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine that produces 150 hp and 250 Nm.
- A 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic or manual can be paired.
- 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds (automatic), the manual is slightly quicker.
- Cylinder deactivation technology increases fuel efficiency.
- A balanced blend of performance and efficiency, although enthusiastic driving returns single-digit mileage.
- Paddle shifters are available, but the tiptronic function on the gear lever feels more appealing.
Practical Ride & Handling
- Suspension tuned for Indian roads – absorbs bumps with ease.
- 179 mm ground clearance – not worries about speed bumps.
- Minimal body roll considering the height, good steering response at speed.
- Fun yet practical for daily city and highway drives.
Clever & Useful Features
- Ticket holder found on the windscreen .
- Infotainment reminds you of essentials before you leave the car.
- Request sensors on the passenger side too.
- Reflective safety tape on the doors.
- Smart grip mat for one-handed bottle operation.
- Card pockets (in glovebox and driver-side storage).
- Smartphone holders on the seat backs.
- Utility recess on the dashboard (though not ideal under hard braking).
Cons of Skoda Slavia
Infotainment & AC Need Work
- The 10.1-inch screen isn’t very intuitive.
- The reverse camera has poor quality feed, no adaptive guides, no full screen.
- Bluetooth call quality is average.
- The touch-based AC controls look modern but performance is average; the blower is noisy. (Newer batches have reportedly improved.)
Visible Cost Cutting
- There are no visual differences between the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre models, apart from the rear badge.
- Missed opportunity for a sporty RS variant.
- 8-inch digital cluster wastes screen space.
- Basic TPMS (only warns when pressure drops).
- Removed elastic cords from door pockets.
- Partial halogen lighting despite the “Crystal Lighting” tag.
- No mirror on the driver-side sun visor.
- Lots of hard plastics in the cabin.
- Rear drum brakes, unusual for a 150hp car at this price.
- Partial halogen bulbs instead of full LED lighting.
High Price, Fewer/Less Features
Higher trims cost more than the VW Virtus.
Lacks premium features such as:
- Larger screen, 64-colour ambient lighting
- Electric parking brake
- Front parking sensors
- Heated seats, rear windscreen blind
- Drive modes, Level-2 ADAS
The top-end Slavia’s on-road price of ₹22 lakh seems tough compared to its rivals.
Lacks features offered by rivals like the Virtus, Verna and City:
Hyundai still offers better after-sales service and cheaper maintenance.
No Diesel Option
- The diesel engine has been discontinued in India (though still available in Europe).
- Some buyers in this segment still prefer diesel for fuel-efficiency and torque.
- This could be one reason why sedans are struggling compared to SUVs.
Verdict – Should You Buy the Skoda Slavia?
The Skoda Slavia is a rare blend of fun-to-drive performance and everyday practicality. It’s not perfect, but if you want a sedan that looks classy, drives great and offers smart features, this is a solid choice. Hopefully, the upcoming facelift will add more features to justify the price.
But for now, if you’re looking for a sedan under ₹25 lakh, the Slavia is definitely worth shortlisting.
