Second report: Our vibrant pink Slavia, with its pleasant 1.5 TSI engine, has been taking advantage of Mumbai’s summer-holiday-induced gentle site visitors circumstances.
The Skoda Slavia, in its Monte Carlo trim, has actually been turning heads. Not as a result of it’s new, however I suppose in a jam filled with SUVs, a sedan sporting vibrant pink is kind of the attention-grabber. Strolling as much as it makes me glad the second I see it parked there, figuring out that the 1.5 TSI engine can be a delight to drive. Oh, and on a facet be aware, I simply realised ‘jam’ can be an apt collective noun for a bunch of automobiles.

The cupboard space below the entrance armrest is sweet and deep.
Up to now, I’ve used the Slavia solely inside the metropolis, however with summer season holidays on and site visitors appreciably lighter, I’ve truly been capable of get pleasure from clear roads, regular cruising, and first rate gasoline effectivity, too. I’ve managed an general determine of about 8.5kpl over this previous month – not dangerous for a petroleum computerized in Mumbai, and I haven’t been driving with effectivity in thoughts.

You possibly can solely have a dial show of the speedo or tacho, not each collectively.
Relatively, it’s been tempting to benefit from the 150hp and 250Nm of torque, which makes it responsive off the road and likewise means that you can make the most of empty stretches of tarmac. It’s wonderful how shortly you’ll be nudging the 70kph pace restrict round city. Past outright pace, although, it’s the crisp nature of its energy supply that you’ll get pleasure from each time you dab the throttle, so don’t consider this as one thing you possibly can solely get pleasure from out on highways. Need to say, although, at very low speeds, it generally journeys up between 1st and 2nd gear, typical of so many DSGs.

Indented shelf cubby neatly creates two separate useful storage areas.
One other bit that annoys me – regardless that it’s a much smaller problem – is the instrument show. It’s customisable and has dials, however you possibly can solely name up a speedo or a tacho dial, not each on the identical time. And whereas I’m on about stuff I don’t like, let’s speak air-con. The VW Group’s India 2.0 automobiles have been recognized to have subpar ACs, and whereas this one is nearly holding up in opposition to the summer season, once in a while, you will have to tweak the temperature or fan pace, and people contact controls are fiddly to make use of. The indentation does assist, however it’s exhausting to get a exact change in temperature or fan pace, and you should look down to substantiate simply how a lot has modified.

Console slot ought to have been deeper to simply retailer the important thing fob.
Such a distinction to the steering-mounted audio controls. The observe choice buttons fall into hand simply, and the amount scroll wheel is solely a delight to make use of: fast, simple, and with a pleasant tactile really feel as nicely. It’s a well-known Skoda, and it’s good to see these on the India 2.0 automobiles too. Talking of acquainted Skoda traits, there’s a ‘merely intelligent’ bit I actually like and put to make use of each day; the centre console cubby has an indented shelf design that creates two areas inside and neatly holds my cellphone on the wi-fi charging mat and my pockets within the area forward. And whereas I’m on about storage, the boot is fairly useful, too, at 521 litres. That’s round what some SUVs supply. So, if plans materialise, I’ll be off to Goa quickly, and after a raft of SUVs, I believe it’s this sedan I’ll take this time round.
Additionally see:
2025 Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo long run assessment, 6,400km report
Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI DSG long run video assessment
Skoda Kushaq, Slavia costs improve with chargeable color choices