Škoda automatic range: Fun to drive. Effortless to live with

At some point in time, petrolheads like us have been told that the best way to experience the Thrill of Driving is to drive a car with three pedals and a manual gearbox. You will often see praises being sung about the greater level of engagement that a manual gearbox offers – which is all well and justified. But when was the last time you got into your car and headed out to a race track where you could fully exploit the performance of your car and have a ball of time while going up down the cogs? Reality is that most of us find ourselves driving in congested cities where traffic levels are only increasing. Subject yourself to this grind every single day and you will soon find yourself appreciating the convenience of an automatic transmission. Having an automatic makes driving on our roads easier, and if you choose an automatic from Škoda’s model line-up, you won’t find yourself compromising on the Thrill of Driving either.

Automatics are available across Skoda’s entire India line-up

Škoda sells four models in India – the Kylaq compact SUV, the Slavia sedan, the Kushaq mid-size SUV and the Kodiaq luxury 4x4. And all of them come with the option for an automatic right from the base variant. And not just any automatic. They are all full-fledged torque converters or extremely sporty and responsive dual clutch automatics.

The Kylaq occupies the very popular and increasingly-crowded sub-4m SUV segment and is powered by the 1-litre TSI petrol engine. This engine makes 114bhp of power and 178Nm of torque, and it is mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Unlike rivals that offer other automatic transmission technologies, which deliver a compromised experience to the user, Škoda chose to offer the proven torque converter automatic for its unmatched smoothness, even in its entry-level model. Moreover, the automatics come with steering-mounted paddle-shifters for the extra bit of control like a manual without compromising on the convenience of an automatic. Combined with the direct injection turbocharged engine and a delectable ride and handling set-up, the Kylaq is one of the better driver’s cars in its segment.

Freedom to choose between practicality and performance

Move one step higher in Škoda’s model line-up and you have the Slavia and the Kushaq. Both the sedan and the mid-size SUV are based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, like the Kylaq. The Kushaq and Slavia are the fun-to-drive benchmarks in their respective segments. When it comes to the powertrain choices on offer, the duo is powered by the same 1-litre TSI petrol engine that also does duty in the Kylaq. This engine is mated to the 6-speed torque converter automatic and it presents itself as a great choice for practical-minded customers who want punchy performance on a budget.

If performance is your priority, we would highly recommend the 1.5-litre TSI petrol that is offered with the Slavia and Kushaq. This engine makes 148bhp of power and 250Nm of torque, and is mated to the excellent 7-speed DSG transmission with snappy shifts. Those who continue to harp on the superiority of a manual gearbox clearly haven’t experienced the fast gearshifts of a DSG with paddle shifters, and with this transmission being perfectly-suited to enthusiastic driving, you never find yourself missing a manual.

Capability of the DSG transmission

Škoda was one of the first brands to introduce the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission in the Indian market. In addition to offering quick shifts, which make the driving experience even more engaging, the DSG also has a wide breadth of ability, such that it is even offered with Škoda’s flagship in India, the Kodiaq. The 2-litre TSI petrol engine of the Kodiaq luxury seven-seater SUV produces 201bhp and 320Nm, and this engine is exclusively mated to the DSG transmission. With the current generation of the Kodiaq however, the gear selector has now moved from the conventional position in the centre console and it is now present as a stalk behind the steering wheel. This frees up space between the front seats.

We’ve always maintained that the Kodiaq is the nicest SUV to drive in its segment and this continues to hold true even today. A large part of that is down to the excellent dynamics and comfort offered by the SUV, in addition to the proven powertrain. You also get Haldex AWD as standard on the Kodiaq and that means that this SUV is very capable once you get off the tarmac and onto the beaten track. The presence of AWD on the Kodiaq also means that you have a safety net when driving in low-grip conditions such as the ongoing monsoon.

Irrespective of the car you choose to experience from Škoda Auto’s India line-up, you will have the option of a quality automatic transmission even in the base and value variants. These transmissions add to the driving convenience for sure, but unlike other automatics, they do not hinder the response, performance or driving engagement. Moreover, they are perfectly suited for some enthusiastic driving around a race track.

So the next time you hear that driving an automatic isn’t the mark of a true petrolhead, you need not be bothered. With automatic transmissions like the ones found in Škoda’s cars, you can truly enjoy the best of both worlds.