A big upgrade
I’m looking to upgrade from my Maruti Suzuki Dzire diesel, primarily keeping safety in mind, and for the want of additional boot space. I like the new Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI, but my only concern is the fuel efficiency. My usage would be 60 percent on the highway, with the rest being in the city. I clock, on an average, about 10,000-15,000km per year, and maintain 100-120kph on the highway. Is it a wise decision to upgrade to the Slavia? Or should I be looking at any other model?
Aashlesh Rao, Bengaluru
The Slavia will be a nice jump up from your Dzire. It’s a solid, well-built car that gives you a lot of confidence on the highway. It’s also a good city car, thanks to light controls and a feisty 1.0-litre TSI direct injection turbo-petrol engine.
However, we must warn you that compared to your Dzire diesel, the running costs will be much higher as the shift to petrol will result in a higher per litre price and lower fuel efficiency.
The 1.0 TSI engine is sensitive to driving style, so you need to be gentle with the throttle pedal to get better efficiency and, if you floor it, the engine efficiency drops dramatically. If running costs are a concern, then its best to stick to another diesel – the Honda City diesel being the only option you really have. Otherwise, the Skoda Slavia, with its massive boot space and safety features – both of which are requirements for you – is a good choice.
You can read more about the Slavia's real world fuel efficiency here, as tested by Autocar India.
