2022 Skoda Slavia review, road test

Localised it might be, but the solid shut sound when you close the door makes a positive first impression, offering a degree of reassurance and a sense of security. The Slavia’s beige and black colour scheme goes a long way in, making the cabin feel airier and lifting its premium quotient. A copper-coloured panel on the dashboard adds a touch of colour, however, this design feature will polarise opinions.

Two-tone theme looks upmarket, and quality of bits is largely good. Fit-finish isn’t as good as older Skodas.

The two-spoke steering, tablet-like infotainment screen, touch-sensitive climate control panel, and gear lever are shared with the Kushaq, while the 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster that’s wearing an orange theme is shared with the Volkswagen Taigun; but, as is also the case in the Volkswagen SUV, this instrument cluster layout – the main screens and the dummy ones beside it – could have been better executed. After receiving critical feedback for the Kushaq’s unit, Skoda has gone a step ahead and installed a more premium roof liner here.

Dummy screens on the cluster could have been put to better use.

The plethora of seat adjustments, along with the tilt and telescopic steering, makes getting into an agreeable driving position very easy. The seats are wide, lumbar support is good and even after hours of seat time, the perfectly-judged cushioning makes long-distance commutes rather relaxing.Owners will also appreciate the sheer amount of storage areas on offer – the door bins are massive, there are cupholders, the armrest console can swallow some knick-knacks and so can the large cooled glovebox.

Ample seat, steering adjustment to get comfy; cushioning is well-judged.

Two USB Type-C charging ports and a 12V socket are at the disposal of front occupants to juice up their devices, in addition to a wireless charging pad that’s placed in a way that the driver’s phone screen isn’t in their field of vision, which certainly dissuades distractions (to an extent) while driving.

Several areas to stow knick-knacks all across the interior.

 

Despite being a high-riding sedan, you will still need to sit down as ingress and egress aren’t as convenient as walking into the cabin of similarly priced SUVs. But once seated, there’s a lot to appreciate. To start with, its best-in-class wheelbase frees up commendable amounts of legroom, and you can even tuck your feet beneath the front seats for better comfort.

 

Large windows and quarter glasses brighten up its cabin, lending a spacious and airy ambience.

 

The seats offer good support and the large windows and quarter glass further amplify the sense of space. Not all’s perfect though, as the headroom is a bit tight for six-footers and the backrest is a tad upright. The cup-like contouring of the backrest makes it comfortable for only two adults rather than three – the central floor hump and the rear AC console further rob legroom from the middle passenger.

 

Leg, footroom are aplenty. Seat contouring makes it ideal for two adults.

At 521 litres, its boot is humongous, but it can swallow more than what its size suggests due to its clever, boxy shape. The Slavia is the only car in the segment to offer splitfolding 60:40 rear seats to further increase cargo capacity to a cavernous 1,050-litres. We wish that Skoda would have included a lever in the boot to drop down the seats, because the current set-up required the respective doors to be opened and the seats folded via a lever on their backrest.

Cleverly shaped boot with additional practicality of folding rear seats.

Skoda Slavia

₹ 12.50 lakh * on road price (New Delhi)

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