Škoda Slavia gets first major refresh in four years, adds 8-speed automatic and premium features

Škoda Auto India has unveiled the refreshed Slavia in what is the sedan’s first major update since its launch four years ago, adding a new eight-speed automatic transmission, segment-first comfort features and upgraded technology as the automaker doubles down on sedans in an Indian market increasingly dominated by SUVs. The company did not announce the price of the sedan.

The refreshed Slavia, which is based on the MQB-A0-IN platform developed for India, gets updated styling, new LED headlamps and taillamps with sequential turn indicators, new alloy wheel designs and refreshed interiors. For the first time, Škoda is also introducing the sporty Monte Carlo trim from launch.

The company said pre-bookings for the new Slavia have opened at ₹15,000, with deliveries scheduled to begin around the start of the festive season.

The company’s focus on sedans also goes beyond the Slavia. Alongside the refreshed model, Škoda showcased the latest Octavia RS and announced plans to bring back the Superb with a diesel powertrain.

The company is simultaneously opening pre-bookings for a limited batch of 50 Octavia RS cars, while expressions of interest have opened for the Superb TDI, with deliveries of the latter expected by the end of the second quarter of 2027.

The update comes nearly four years after the Slavia was introduced in India as part of Škoda’s India 2.0 strategy. The sedan has since crossed nearly 80,000 units in sales, according to the company.

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, said the company was making targeted improvements to the Slavia’s powertrain, comfort and connectivity while building on the model’s established strengths. “With nearly 80,000 cars sold to date, the Slavia has established a strong position in this dynamic segment,” Jahn said.

Betting on sedans as SUVs dominate

The refresh comes at a time when SUVs have taken an increasingly large share of India’s passenger vehicle market. Škoda, however, believes there remains room for sedans, particularly among customers looking for design, driving dynamics, safety and premium features.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, said the Slavia had shown that sedans continue to have a strong customer base despite the dominance of SUVs. The company’s leadership said the Slavia currently commands close to 30% of its segment, making it a significant part of Škoda’s sedan strategy in the country.

The Slavia name itself has a connection to Škoda’s early history. It was named after the Slavia bicycle produced by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, the founders of what eventually became Škoda Auto. The company is using that heritage to position the sedan as part of its more than 90-year history of building sedans.

Škoda Slavia features: New automatic, rear-seat massage and 360-degree camera

The biggest mechanical change is the addition of an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with the 1.0 TSI engine. Škoda claims this makes the Slavia the first sedan in its segment to offer this combination.

The 1.0 TSI continues to be available with a six-speed manual, while the more powerful 1.5 TSI remains paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic. The 1.5 TSI variants also get rear disc brakes.

The new Slavia also gains a segment-first rear-seat massage function, taking a feature generally associated with more expensive vehicles into the premium sedan segment. Another addition is a 360-degree Area View camera, which Škoda describes as the first such feature in a vehicle developed under its India 2.0 programme. The system works alongside Park Pilot and front parking sensors to assist with parking and low-speed manoeuvres.

The cabin gets a larger 10.25-inch digital cockpit, while the infotainment system uses a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The infotainment system also introduces an AI-powered voice assistant based on Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent. The system brings Gemini into the vehicle and is designed to provide access to real-time information while allowing occupants to control functions such as music, calls and climate control through voice commands. Škoda said the system is designed to recognise Indian English accents.

Škoda expands its India footprint

The Slavia refresh is also part of a broader push by Škoda to expand its presence in India.

Zellmer said India has become Škoda’s fourth-largest global market, behind Germany, the Czech Republic and the UK. The company has expanded its network to more than 190 cities and over 340 customer touchpoints, according to the company.

Škoda said it has also sold more than 250,000 locally manufactured vehicles in India, highlighting the growing role of the country in its global manufacturing and engineering network.

Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, said the company remained focused on products that combine global standards with requirements specific to Indian customers. “Our focus remains on bringing globally benchmarked products that are engineered and manufactured to meet the evolving needs of Indian customers,” Arora said.

The company is also positioning India as more than a sales market. Its India 2.0 programme has increasingly involved local engineering, manufacturing and exports, with the company saying vehicles and components developed in India can serve markets beyond the country.

The refreshed Slavia will be available in Classic, Classic+, Signature, Sportline and Prestige variants, with the Monte Carlo joining the range from launch.