Virtus or Slavia: Which to Buy?

As of now, there are 9 Skoda cars in India, out of which 5 are available for purchase and 4 are upcoming. Skoda car prices in India range from Rs 7.59 lakh to Rs 66.99 lakh.
Skoda is a Czech carmaker, part of the Volkswagen Group in India, which is known for “solid build quality,” “driver-focused dynamics,” and “European engineering.” As per us, Skoda has traditionally attracted buyers looking for something different from mainstream options, even if that meant paying a little more. Its cars have often been cross-shopped with models such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Volkswagen Taigun.
But with the launch of the Kylaq, things have changed in recent years for the brand. The Kylaq's strong sales have helped Skoda reach a wider audience, including more first-time and budget-conscious buyers. Today, Skoda's India line-up consists of SUVs and sedans, ranging from the compact Kylaq to the flagship Kodiaq. There are no Skoda hatchbacks or MPVs.
Skoda's after-sales reputation in India has historically been a weak spot. Back in 2018, Skoda Auto India's then MD, Gurpratap Boparai, told us in an interview that service quality and high maintenance costs had for long been a “prickly issue” for customers, and that fixing the experience was the brand's top priority at the time.
Since then, things have improved. Our own maintenance cost studies show Skoda's parts and labour pricing has come down over the years, even though it’s still not as affordable as a Maruti Suzuki or Toyota.
Apart from this, as per the questions we received from real owners through our Ask Autocar Anything section, here's what we can say about Skoda's after-sales service as of September 2026:
Your usage | Best match | Why? |
A car for mostly driving in city within less budget | Skoda Kylaq | It is the best Bharat NCAP-rated sub-4-metre SUV on sale, and comes well equipped for its price |
A sedan with a spacious cabin and engaging drive | Skoda Slavia | It offers a large boot, a comfortable ride for long-distance travel, and driver-focused dynamics that are hard to find in this segment |
A mid-size SUV with strong highway performance | Skoda Kushaq | The 1.5 TSI engine is among the most enjoyable in its class to drive, especially on the highway |
A 7-seat premium SUV | Skoda Kodiaq | It offers standard all-wheel drive, a spacious three-row cabin, and a comfortable ride over long distances |
A fast sedan, with no budget constraint | Skoda Octavia RS | It's Skoda's halo performance model in India, with a 265hp turbo-petrol engine and a quick-shifting DSG gearbox |






























Hear from the
Upcoming Skoda Cars
View allI am planning to upgrade my 2021 Creta manual diesel with a more driver enthusiastic car that offers the best handling. This will be my daily commute car in smooth traffic run of around 50 km per day. I already own 2 EV cars as well as Innova Cysta for longer running. Can you suggest some possible sedans and SUV under Rs. 30 lakh?
Hello Autocar team! I recently booked a Honda City ZX+ CVT. After test-driving both the Honda City and the Volkswagen Virtus, I found the City more comfortable and premium, but I noticed engine noise under hard acceleration and tyre and road noise at highway speeds. Based on your long-term testing experience, which car is better for 8-10 years of ownership in terms of suspension durability, highway comfort, cabin insulation and reliability? Is the City genuinely better, or is the Virtus technically superior in some areas? Please give us an unbiased opinion.
Hey guys! We’ve been using a 2019 Kia Seltos 1.4 DCT and are now planning to change our car. I’m leaning towards a sedan, particularly the VW Virtus, mainly for its performance, driving comfort, and overall build quality. I’ve also driven the VW Vento 1.0 TSI before, so I’m familiar with the driving experience. However, the Virtus doesn’t quite feel like a significant upgrade from our current car, especially considering that the interiors feel a bit dated compared to what’s available today. I’ve also been looking at the Toyota Camry, which I think is a beautiful car and offers a more premium experience, but it’s a little too expensive for our budget. We drive around 15,000 km a year, with a mix of city driving and highway trips. I’m looking for a car that offers an engaging driving experience, good performance, comfortable long-distance cruising, and a premium feel. A sedan would be my first preference, but I’m open to an SUV if it makes more sense. What would you guys recommend? Are there any cars worth considering that would feel like a genuine upgrade from the Kia Seltos ?
Hi, I’m a beginner driver about to join driving school (learning manual first). My wife is also a new driver. We plan to buy an automatic car primarily for family convenience with our infant. Could you please advise on the following? Transmission: While IVT/CVTs are smooth and easy in city traffic, do they compromise too much on highway driving fun? Car Recommendations: Which automatic cars within Rs 13-20 lakhs would be best suited for two beginner drivers in terms of city ease, safety, comfort, and occasional highway enjoyment?
My budget is between Rs. 40-50 lakh (on-road) for a car in Surat. I need a premium 6-7 seater automatic car for city driving and highway trips. The third row will be used occasionally. My driving pattern involves driving around 20,000 km over six months and 3,000 km over the other six months. It results in driving approximately 23,000 km annually. This is why I’m confused between petrol, diesel and hybrid options. Please help me compare the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento, Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid and Toyota Fortuner, considering real-world mileage, performance, comfort, safety, features, maintenance, resale value and long-term ownership costs. Which is the best overall choice for my usage, and are there any better alternatives within my budget?
Skoda Superb
Nishant•03 August 2026
Stretching a bit would also land you the Skoda Superb.
View all Superb ReviewsSkoda Slavia
Aditya Anand•28 October 2026
The Slavia is a smooth ride with lots of features. It looks beautiful in this price range, but the 1.0 engine can be a bit noisy.
View all Slavia ReviewsSkoda Kushaq
Sivakumar K•20 October 2026
The Škoda Kushaq Classic Plus AT offers the best value for money. It has good cabin space and impressive driving dynamics.
View all Kushaq ReviewsSkoda Kylaq
Atul Gachche•30 October 2026
Just love my car! Recently got the signature plus AT, and driving it is so much fun. Features are 5/5, safety 5/5, mileage is 3/5 in the city and 4/5 on the highway. Excellent acceleration makes it enjoyable for long trips, though mileage isn't the best for short ones. Overall, a fantastic car.
View all Kylaq ReviewsSkoda Kodiaq
AnandReddy•29 October 2026
Skoda Kodiaq is expensive to maintain. Not fuel efficient as it has no diesel option. Petrol is standard engine as it has no hybrid option. No full size spare wheel. Indicator stalk is on the left side.
View all Kodiaq ReviewsSkoda Octavia RS
Sumit•06 October 2026
I really love the Octavia RS from the beginning. I might save my money to buy this cutie over other luxury brands because they are overpriced.
View all Octavia RS ReviewsSkoda Epiq
Hemant Malwade•20 May 2026
We have been waiting for this SUV for a long time! Now our expectations have been fulfilled. We are waiting for the launching date.
View all Epiq ReviewsYes. The only Skoda car under 10 lakh in India is the Kylaq. The Skoda Kylaq price starts at ₹7.59 lakh, ex-showroom.
The Skoda Slavia is the only sedan on sale in India. The Octavia RS was also brought in limited numbers to the country. The upcoming Superb is the next sedan that will be offered by Skoda.
No. Presently, there are no Skoda diesel cars on sale in India. The manufacturer's lineup consists of petrol engine options only.
The cheapest Skoda car is the Kylaq, with a price starting at around ₹7.50 lakh (ex-showroom).
Yes. The Kylaq, Slavia, and Kushaq fall under the ₹20 lakh category.
The Kodiaq is the most expensive Skoda car, priced at ₹46.49 lakh (ex-showroom).
Currently, there are 3 SUV cars available for sale in India. The Skoda SUV cars list includes the Kylaq, Kushaq, and Kodiaq.
Last Updated on: 30 Oct 2026