SKODA LAURA - AFTER USING FOR 6 YEARS (1.2 Lac Km)

Exterior The exterior of the car is well built, being skoda know for it. The shape and upgradations are good. You get some good features like Head lamp washer but it also lacks some required features like Electronic foldable Mirriors.  Overall good package on the Extrior front.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) You get ample space with this car, any long journey with 6 to Baggages you neeed not worry at all. One great thing about this car (L&K) is you get almost all the required features at a reasonable price. Seat Heaters are really wonderful. The car has got good comfort in front and back seat. Some features like Cruise Control give problem (it does not work). I got it repaired couple of times but not that great. The wrost part of this car is its Air Conditioning, it does not cool properly and its compressor needs to be changes every 2 years ( Rs.40,000 cost of a compressor) . I think skoda needs to learn some thing from Maruti - a low maintenance and mind blowing AC.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox The Engine of Laura i found it a bit under powered, it should have been atleast 140  BHP ( Offered in New  Laura Automatic) becaue of the heavy weight the same requires the more power. The drive is smooth, gear Changing is again swift but again Skoda has a big problem of Clutch Plate. I had to change clutch Plate twice again every change costed me approx Rs.40 K. We have other Hyundai and Mitsubhishi cars that have been driven for approx 1.5 lacs kms but not a single cluth plate problem was encountered.This is not all, if your car crosses 1 Lac Km the you need to change your Turbo this would cost you around Rs.1 Lac. Then comes the turn of Timming Belt which would cost You Rs. 30k.

The Mileage that I usually got inside city was 12.5km/ L and on highways aprox 14.5 Km/L.

Ride Quality & Handling Ride quality and Hndling of a car is really good.

Final Words If you are ready to spend approx Rs.4 to Rs.5 per Km as a maintenance cost then its a really nice car to buy. You get the premium feeling while driving but you just get fed up with the recurring bills.

Areas of improvement Skoda if wants to retain there market share they need to work upon the maintenance related issues, offer better spare parts with the car (Compressor, Clutch Plate, Turbo). They should may be increase the car cost by Rs.50 K but should atleast cover the maintenance for 5 years. Otherwise your pocket starts bleeding.

Best Drivability, grip & featuresHigh Maintenance Cost, Electronic problems