The BEST CAR on the Indian Roads. Review on Skoda Laura

I wanted to upgrade from my ESTEEM. Read my review of 3 years back. A number of cars were suggested - **Civic - Accord - Corolla - Camary - Logan - Verna - Sonata - Elantra - SX4.

And then a dear friend suggested Skoda Laura L&K. It was a dream car but slightly over my budget. He took me to the show room – I saw the car and test drove it and my mind went into an overdrive. I weighed my options and decided that with a pinch here and a pinch there I can certainly own the* BEST CAR on the Indian Roads.

I compared the Skoda Laura L&Kto every car in the price segment (barring the SUVs) from the Ford-Honda-Hyundai-Toyota stables and my mind was made up in no time. It clearly stands out as a Face in the crowdand has better features than a Mercedes C Class. Built on the A5 platform, also used by the current Volkswagen Golf, it is clearly a winner. **The looks are killing. It has been voted the best looking car every year since its launch couple of years back.

Standard features include A/C, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power Steering, Anti-Lock Braking System, Traction Control, Immobilizer, Folding Rear-Seats, Central Locking and Steering Adjustment.

Interiors have rich leather upholstery, unique storage compartments, electronically adjustable driver's seat with memory settings, illuminated, refrigerated glove compartment, temperature controlled box underneath the armrest, dual zone climatronic air conditioning, adjustable ventilation outlets in the rear, sun/moon roof, etc, etc.

Other features include a multifunction steering wheel, a nice looking instrument cluster with variable illumination, Radio cum 6 CD changer, 12-speaker surround sound with Dolby noise suppression, Parking aid (front and rear parktronics) with animated display, Cruise control, Powerful aero windshield wipers with rain sensing/automatic rain detection system, Six Airbags, Anti Braking System, Acceleration Skid Restrain, Electronic Stability Program, Tyre Pressure Monitor, come home and leave home lights, Light assist system that gets activated in adverse light conditions and an Auto dimming rear-view mirror. As you engage the reversing gear, the music system mutes and the left rear view mirror dips to show the rear wheel to assist in parking and reversing.

There are air vents at the back to improve flow to the rear seats and a proper three-point seatbelt (and not merely a lap strap) for the third passenger. And for rear passengers, Skoda had provided a sunblind on the rear windscreen.

I got into the cockpit of a Laura, closed the doors, fiddled with the controls, felt around and was bowled over by the awesome solid feeling. In comparison, other cars feel like they are made from tin foil. Driver and passenger comfort was top notch. The large seats were extremely comfortable, and there were features like heated seats, electric lumbar support adjustment and seat memory to pamper you.

Although LAURA is clearly meant to be “NEIGHBORS’ ENVY AND OWNERS PRIDE” and only for your personal driving pleasure, it will also appeal to people who like to be chauffeur-driven because of a spacious legroom enough for a six footer.

I love the Laura’s motor as it pulls, without complaint or protest, from as low as 900 rpm. In the stop-go traffic environment that typifies Indian cities, this phenomenal drivability is a boon. Of course, the Laura can’t take off like a rocket from these engine speeds. But once the motor is spinning at 1200 rpm and the turbo kicks in, you get that feeling of being yanked against the gravity.

Around town, the Laura is always ready to leap into a gap in traffic or move away rapidly from a set of lights. I do not see any traffic in the rear view mirrors as it is all left far away. Stick it in second or third and you can potter around town all day on small throttle openings. Shifting to a lower gear for additional passing power is also no problem, as the Laura’s gear box is among the best in the business.

Even without a downshift, there is more than sufficient power and torque available on hand for most situations and part-throttle acceleration is effortless to the point where you begin to wonder why everyone else is dawdling. This sort of performance at such low engine speeds is seldom available from petrol what to talk of diesel engines.

Laura’s** is a very big and heavy car. However, the highly advanced and efficient PD engine more than compensates. Fuel consumption figures are so low that you forget when you refueled last. It returns an amazing 13-14 kmpl in Delhi & NCR and 18-19 kmpl on the highways. With a tank capacity of 55 litres, it is good for 800-1000 km before your next visit to the diesel pump.

At 1800 K, it is the only diesel car in this price bracket and the pay-off is a car that is quite simply a league of its own. Skoda Laura has more genuine hi-tech features than many more expensive cars and is the best diesel car in its class. Solid engineering, state-of-the-art technology, phenomenal fuel efficiency and superb quality wrapped up in an attractive price.