Over the past six weeks, the Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo Edition in its eye-catching red avatar has been our trusted road companion. This sedan effortlessly blends head-turning style with engaging driving dynamics, making every journey something to look forward to. The Monte Carlo Red paint scheme with matching red interior accents gives the Slavia a distinctly sporty character. Its sharp lines, bold grille and sleek silhouette make it stand out in traffic, while the well-appointed cabin offers a premium feel. Power comes from a 1.5L TSI engine producing 148 bhp – interestingly, the same output as the first-gen Octavia vRS The performance is spirited yet refined, with ample power for both city commutes and highway runs. What’s truly impressive is the two-cylinder mode that activates under light loads, helping achieve excellent fuel efficiency. Our city runs in 3une returned 14 kpl, while highway drives were even more economical.
The Slavia shines on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, feeling planted and composed even at triple-digit speeds. The suspension strikes a fine balance between comfort and handling, making it equally adept at swallowing bumps and taking on corners with confidence. If we had to nitpick, the touch-sensitive climate controls could be more intuitive — physical buttons would have been preferable. Also, the Monte Carlo badge tempted us to test its rally credentials, though we’ll save that for another day! At its price point, the Slavia delivers remarkable value — offering European build quality, engaging dynamics and premium features. It’s proof that sedans can still be exciting in today’s SUV-dominated market.
