Skoda Auto India launched the Slavia facelift on 6 October, with prices starting at ₹10 lakh (ex-showroom). The new midsize sedan receives an exterior facelift, additional features and a new eight-speed automatic transmission with the 1.0-litre TSI engine.
This is the first significant change to Slavia since it entered Indian markets in 2022. Skoda has kept the same 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines, but has added features such as a 360-degree camera, larger screens and a rear-seat massage function. The sedan is up against the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and Volkswagen Virtus.
The Slavia facelift comes in six trims: Classic, Classic+, Signature, Sportline, Prestige and Monte Carlo. The price of the car ranges from ₹10 lakh to ₹18.84 lakh (ex-showroom). The starting price has remained more or less the same as the outgoing model’s, while the highest price has increased.
The most significant mechanical modification is the new 1.0 TSI engine’s eight-speed automatic with a torque converter. It’s an upgrade to the previous six-speed auto. It is also offered with a six-speed manual transmission. The 1.1-litre turbo-petrol engine is claimed to produce approximately 115 hp and 178 Nm. The 1.5 TSI is available with 150hp, 250 Nm torque, a seven-speed automatic and a seven-speed DSG, which Škoda claims is a segment-first option.
Revised LED headlamps and tail lamps, sequential rear indicators, new alloy wheels and revised bumpers are the other features of the facelift. It has also been given two new exterior colours: Arctic Silver and Cappuccino Beige. Blacked-out elements, red accents and special badging on the Monte Carlo version.
The Slavia is now equipped with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and an AI Companion with Google Cloud. The 360-degree area-view camera and rear-seat massage are also new features.
The Slavia is still based on the MQB-A0-IN platform developed for India. The car features six airbags and electronic safety systems as standard, and the facelift will also feature a 360-degree camera. Rather than a panoramic sunroof, Skoda has decided to keep the sedan’s single-pane sunroof.
Speaking about the launch, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Škoda Auto India, said that the new-generation Slavia retains the same design and driving attributes, but with increased comfort, technology, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
