Skoda Slavia 1.5 Style DSG Automatic Review [Video]

The Skoda Slavia has to be the most awaited sedan of recent times. This all-new car is the replacement for the Rapid and brings in a breath of fresh air in the segment. While team 91Wheels has already covered various aspects including a detailed walk-around of the design and the interiors, we finally got our hands on the 1.5 version for a detailed review in terms of performance, comfort and dynamics. The 1.0 review is already online. You can play the video or continue to read our drive review below.

The Engine First

Numbers first - the 1.5 TSI is by far the most powerful engine on offer in the segment. At 150PS of power and 250Nm of torque, there is no other sedan that comes close in terms of outright performance. This is also true for turbo charged mid-size SUV offerings. From the word go, the Slavia 1.5 feels energetic and full of life. There is always more than ample punch on avail and being a 4-cylinder set-up, it is smoother (than the Slavia 1.0) and completely devoid of vibrations. Infact, when you cross the 3000rpm mark, the 1.5 ends up sounding so much better than the 1.0 unit. It is vocal, being proud of its underpinnings and the performance on offer. 

We had a chance to sample the 7-speed DSG unit and not the 6-speed MT one. Over the years, Skoda has worked hard to iron out teething issues with the DSG gearbox and it should be more reliable in the long run. Shifts are quick and with a taller 7th gear, the Slavia 1.5 should be efficient at highway speeds as well. Likewise, Skoda uses cylinder deactivation technology on this engine which means during a light right foot or while coasting, two of the four cylinders will shut off, thus leading to lower fuel consumption. For petrol heads, you also get paddle shifters to take charge of the transmission, if required.

Apart from outright acceleration, the Slavia 1.5 also rewards you with an easy going driving experience at lower engine revs. Thanks to oodles of torque being available lower down in the rev range, the 1.5 TSI is always happy to potter around town and close in on gaps when you want it to. Smooth, punchy and ever eager - this is what the 1.5 is all about.  

The Ride

Most Skoda offerings are known for high comfort levels and the Slavia is no different. The 1.5 uses the same steering / suspension hardware as the 1.0 but due to the heavier engine weight, Skoda engineers have fine tuned the set up accordingly. Driven alone, the ride feels nice and firm, just about. Sharp undulations or potholes do get felt but with a load of three more on board, this irons out to a large extent. It does offer a good balance and comfort levels are high. We had our share of bad roads and suspension did not bottom out even once. Likewise, South Goas notorious speed breakers also didn't see the underbelly touching down even once.

Yes, high ground clearance is a boon and this erases one of the main pain points of a sedan owner in India. Infact, we even managed to take our Slavia to an off the road shoot location without damaging the under side. Super!

From a driver's perspective, the dynamics of the Skoda Slavia also need a special mention. It might not be a perfect driver's car, but yet rewards you with a smile and an occasional grinning moment. The light steering (good for urban runs) still has enough feedback when you attack a corner. There is a bit of body roll but that was expected due to the Slavia being high off the ground.

Interiors - your second space

The Slavia is an all-new car and the cabin is generations ahead in terms of the Rapid. We have discussed this earlier but I will still take the liberty to add in a few lines here. Apart from a few hard materials around (the inner door handles for example), the overall build quality is high. It looks premium, with an upmarket feel and the design is different from what we have been used to. The two spoke steering for instance, or the circular side vents, or the shade of gold used for the horizontal slim panel running across the internal width of the car - all these elements do make you (as an owner) feel nice.

Ergonomics are top notch, seat comfort is above average and the large windows (plus the sunroof) add to the airy part. The front seats have ample room and inspite of the sunroof in there, for a 6 feet tall driver, I still had about 2 inches of headroom left. Likewise, with the driver's seat adjust for my height, at the back, with an equally tall passenger, you still get 3-4 inches of knee room. Yes, not in the league of the Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz, but comfortable nonetheless.

Helpful features include dedicated cabin lights for the 2nd row, useful phone pockets in the back rest of the front seats, dual charging outlets and an arm-rest with cup holders. Whats missing? May be more effective air vents and manual sun blinds for the Indian summer.

How does it look?

We have discussed this before and I will not shy away from saying that the Slavia indeed is a bold looking sedan. It is longer, wider and taller than all its rivals and for a sedan, does have ample road presence. The design is modern, sharp and will age pretty well, something we have seen with the Rapid.

LEDs all around, sporty 16 inch alloy wheels and prominent design lines make it look good. Skoda usually doesn't shy away from offering bold colours and the Slavia is no different. We had red and blue options on the drive and some of the media cars can be seen below.

Verdict

As expected, no more diesels from the Audi Group. This means all Volkswagen and Skoda offerings for the Indian market will be powered by petrol engines only. The Honda City and the Hyundai Verna however have diesels in place. Next, the screen resolution for the rear camera was a turn off. Space at the back isnt the best for chauffeur driven owners.

But what the Slavia offers you is a well packaged product that feels premium and safe for your family while at the same time rewarding you with a great driving experience. The punch and performance from the 1.5 motor can not be ignored at all - fastest car under Rs 20 lakh? Probably! And then, a 4-year warranty is standard and the same can be extended to 6 years. Overall regular maintenance cost is now down to an average of 46 paise per kilometre. And with 95% localisation in place, parts will be cheaper too. Icing on the cake? Definitely!

So if you are in the market for a Rs 12-16 lakh vehicle and the current crop of mid-size SUVs aren't your taste, have a serious look at this one. You won't be disappointed.