Skoda Auto India has unveiled its newest offering for India, an all-new sedan based in the company localised MQB-A0-IN platform. Christened Skoda Slavia, it is the first sedan to be built on the new platform, which so far has only spawned compact SUVs like the Skoda Kushaq and its sister brand Volkswagen's Taigun. While Skoda has revealed almost everything, two questions still need to be answered - which segment does the new Slavia come under? and who all does it rival? So, let us clear the air for you.
Also Read: Skoda Slavia Compact Sedan Makes Its Global Debut In India; Bookings Open
Right of the bat, let us tell you the new Skoda Slavia is the official replacement for the Rapid sedan. Earlier in October, Skoda ended the production of the compact sedan, and the last batch of the car was introduced as a series of limited-edition models called Skoda Rapid Matte Edition. So, the Skoda Slavia will come under the compact sedan segment, and compete with the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The Slavia will also compete with Volkswagen's upcoming sedan, which will be a replacement for the Vento in India.
Also Read: Skoda Slavia Prototype First Drive Impressions
The Honda City is longer and taller than the new Slavia, at 4549 mm and 1489 mm respectively
Now the new Skoda Slavia's total length measures 4,541 mm, while its width stands at 1,752 mm. The Slavia is also 1,487 mm tall, and it comes with a wheelbase of 2,651 mm. While the Honda City is longer and taller than the new Slavia, Skoda's new contender is bigger than both the Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The Slavia also has the longest wheelbase among all its rivals.
| Dimensions | Skoda Slavia | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz | Honda City | Hyundai Verna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,541 mm | 4,490 mm | 4,549 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,752 mm | 1,730 mm | 1,748 mm | 1,729 mm |
| Height | 1,487 mm | 1,485 mm | 1,489 mm | 1,475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,651 mm | 2,650 mm | 2,600 mm | 2,600 mm |
Under the hood, Slavia will get the same 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder engine and the 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI unit, and both are turbocharged petrol motors. The former makes 113 bhp and 175 Nm of peak torque and comes mated to a 6-speed manual and an optional 6-speed automatic torque converter unit. The bigger 1.5-litre motor makes 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque and comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 7-speed DSG automatic unit.
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is the least powerful among all its rivals with its 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine making 103 bhp and 138 Nm torque
As for its rival, the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz is also a petrol-only car and it's powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) 4-cylinder engine that makes 103 bhp and 138 Nm, while mated to a 5-speed manual and optional 4-speed AT. Both Honda City and Hyundai Verna are offered in both petrol and diesel engine option. The former gets a 1.5-litre NA 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 119 bhp and 145 Nm, mated to a 6-speed manual and CVT automatic unit.
| Specs | Skoda Slavia | Maruti Suzuki Ciaz | Honda City | Hyundai Varna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0-litre TSI / 1.5-litre TSI | 1.5-litre K15 | 1.5-litre i-VTEC | 1.5-litre MPI / 1.0-litre GDi |
| Displacement | 999 cc / 1495 cc | 1462 cc | 1498 cc | 1497 cc / 999 cc |
| Max Power | 113 bhp /148 bhp | 103 bhp | 119 bhp | 113 bhp / 118 bhp |
| Max Torque | 175 Nm / 250 Nm | 138 Nm | 145 Nm | 144 Nm / 172 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-Speed MT / 6-Speed AT / 7-Speed DSG | 5-speed MT / 4-speed AT | 6-speed MT / CVT | 6-speed MT / iVT / 7-speed DCT |
Apart from Slavia, on the Hyundai Verna comes with a turbo petrol engine, however, the latter only gets a 1.0-litre unit that makes 118 bhp and 172 Nm of peak torque
The Verna, on the other hand, gets two petrol engines, a 1.5-litre NA engine that makes 113 bhp and 144 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 6-speed manual and optional iVT (CVT) automatic unit. The Varna also gets a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Turbo GDi petrol engine that churns out 118 bhp and 172 Nm of peak torque. It's also mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, with an optional 7-speed DCT automatic.
