Is the ŠKODA SLAVIA as Safe as the KUSHAQ?

Safety is gaining prominence and is making its way into conversations, more than ever. And when it comes to carmakers, ŠKODA has always been synonymous with safety. Their cars have traditionally been robust and deliver dynamics and safety by the truckloads. Global offerings like the OCTAVIA, KODIAQ and SUPERB and their 5-star crash ratings (Euro NCAP) are a testament to that statement. Taking the tradition further is the developed-for-India, ready-for-the-world, MQB-A0-IN platform. The first product in its pipeline, the KUSHAQ, nailed the more stringent Global NCAP crash test norms in October 2022 with a full 5-star rating. It also gained a full 5-star rating for child occupants, a feat never achieved before among cars made in India. 

But the question today is whether the SLAVIA is as safe as the KUSHAQ. Even though the mid-size sedan hasn’t been tested yet, it has all the right credentials working in its favour. So let’s decipher if the SLAVIA truly has what it takes to match 5-star ratings, without actually crashing one.   

It’s all in the genes

Remember the aforementioned MQB-A0-IN platform? Well, that is mutually shared by both the SLAVIA and KUSHAQ, meaning they’ve got the same underpinnings. Now, this platform has been designed specifically for India, while maintaining global standards. And the numbers speak for themselves – the KUSHAQ scored a full five-star rating with a 29.64 points out of a possible 34 (5-star) for adult occupant safety and 42 points out of 49 (5-star) for child safety as well. 

To put that in context, these numbers are so good in fact that they blew the doors off everything ever tested under the Global NCAP’s #safercarsforIndia campaign, which even includes cars from segments above. Adding cherry on top of an already smashing result was the fact that its body shell was rated as stable and even capable of withstanding further loads.

Moreover, the test was carried out under the revised, more stringent regulations, and the KUSHAQ was the first made-in-India model to be tested on it, which makes the feat all the more commendable and impressive, to say the least. So, we know that the platform beneath the skin is a capable one. But what about the safety kit on offer?

SLAVIA’s safety kit

Well, the SLAVIA is anything but sparse in that parameter because features like the electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, traction control, dual front airbags, three-point seat belts for every occupant, tyre pressure monitoring system, a rear defogger, and ISOFIX child seat mounts are offered as a standard. ABS with EBD make sure the vehicle offers maximum and efficient braking and stops without any drama under hard deceleration.

ESC ensures you have optimum traction at all times and don’t slip around corners. Front airbags are crucial as they absorb quite a lot of the impact on collision, while three-point seat belts for all passengers will restrain movement and keep occupants in place. Such an expansive safety list, that too for a base variant points to the marque’s no-compromise deal for every buyer.

Don’t forget, these are just standard fitments and moving up the range will only bring more to the table, including six airbags, hill-hold assist, and a rear camera. The availability of the latter really helps squeeze the vehicle in tight spaces, while six airbags offer cushioning in pretty much all directions. Feel safe yet?

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Then there’s the way the SLAVIA drives – oozing confidence into the driver by offering good grip and great high-speed manners. It stays planted no matter the terrain and all of this translates into a sense of being in command and safety that's difficult to match, irrespective of speed or road conditions. 

So, a competent platform? Check. Planted ride and handling? Check. Compelling safety kit? Check. Thus, we can safely say that the ŠKODA SLAVIA has got everything working in its favour and makes for a great all-rounder, which will accompany you through wherever and whatever you throw at it, all while cocooned in absolute safety.