Skoda Kylaq : So the Indian SUV market, which was getting competitive by the day, has received an entrant of the grand sort in the form of the Skoda Kylaq who has brought European engineering to the hot sub-4-meter segment.
This small but posh looking SUV by the Czech car manufacturer (which also happens to be one of the companies under the wings of the German Volkswagen Group) is a car that has traded ruggedness for and high riding stance for a car like on road position that is hard to be beaten. The Kylaq is Skoda’s achievement of offering quality motoring and driving fun at a much more affordable price point.
Skoda Kylaq Modern Flavored European Tendency to Design.
By taking a look you will notice the Skoda Kylaq has a visually appealing exterior with a mix of European and current design features.
Being the first model in India to receive Skoda’s new “Modern Solid” design language, the Kylaq definitely stands out with its sculpted surfaces and confident stance.
At the front, a striking black gloss grille with three-dimensional ribs has replaced the standard Skoda radiator grille, while a larger, more angular lower spoiler and bold aluminum-finished underbody guard give the Yeti a more upmarket presence.
The lighting system is perhaps a standout, offering LED technology as standard across the range. The headlights are minimalist yet functional and re-interpret Skoda’s classic four-eye SUV face with a modern twist.
Shorter upper sections contain the daytime running lights (DRL) the position lights and the indicators, which are arranged in a striking vertical array, flanking a large low beam, high beam and signature crystalline-designed LED front flasher with a bold, sophisticated presence.
The Kylaq has clean, modern lines when viewed from the side, with strong cladding for the wheel arches and sills. With a high ground clearance of 189mm, the compact UV provides a tall SUV stance, and the 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels on higher trims add to its premium appeal.
At the rear, we also get a pair of stunning and T-shaped LED taillights that are linked together with a black stripe to make a clear signature that no one can miss on the road.
The Kylaq is available in a range of refined hues including Olive Gold (exclusive), Lava Blue, Deep Black, Tornado Red, Candy White, Carbon Steel and Brilliant Silver to cater to any personality, and is priced to offer an affordable upscale European experience.
Effective, Efficient And Robust
A refined powerhouse lurks beneath the bonnet of the Skoda Kylaq in the form of a 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that has both power and the torque to match.
Delivering 115 PS and 178 Nm, the 3-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine packs plenty of punchy performance and a whole lot of fun. The throttle response and low rpm torque provided by the TSI technology makes Kylaq suprisingly energetic both in the city as well as on the highways.
The transmission choices will be available to include an accurate, 6-speed manual transmission as well as a slick 6-speed automatic torque converter.
The former changes up early for laid-back cruising, which helps at low speads and in the cut and thrust of city traffic. The manual version is said to have a maximum speed of 188 km/h and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 10.5 seconds); should keep the performance-oriented driver happy.
While performance takes precedence, Skoda hasn’t been a victim of efficiency in any form with the TSI engine, boasting of an ARAI claimed mileage of 19.68 km/l for the manual and 19.05 km/l for the automatic.
The combination of power and lightweight design is a good compromise, as this remains a vehicle you can drive every day with strong performance, but ready to have some fun when there’s open road ahead.
Skoda Kylaq Premium Interior Experience
Slide into the Kylaq and you get a cabin that is typical of Skoda’s knack for considered design and nice materials. The inside of the boat if very modern and clean with a use of space that’s functional and comfortable.
The dashboard has a pared-back design with metal-framed detailing around the vents and screens helping to give the car a premium feel despite its small proportions.
It has a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system (that can be paired to your smartphone with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
Higher up the line, there’s a digital instrument cluster that’s clear and cool in easy-to-read style. The premium audio system provides rich, crystal-clear sound quality and sound comes through Celestion Signature Series loudspeakers.
The seating layout focuses on comfort. The upper variants feature electrically adjustable ventilated front seats, which offer great comfort and support irrespective of the weather.
The rear seat is actually quite spacious for a sub-4-meter suv with enough space for two adults with good headroom and knee room. Higher trims get leatherette, while lower variants get fabric upholstery, and both contribute to an upscale cabin.
There are plenty of clever stowage options dotted around the cabin from Skoda’s “Simply Clever” mantra. Nice touches: a windscreen ticket holder, seatback phone pockets, and small storage bins strewn about the cabin in exactly the right places.
The 446 litre boot volume is very generous by the standards of such a small vehicle and can be expanded to 1,265 litres when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down, providing plenty of luggage room for weekend retreats or shopping trips.
Skoda Kylaq Advanced Technology Features
The Kylaq is packed with convenience, comfort and connectivity technology. The infotainment system is voice-activation compatible, and higher trims have built-in navigation. Bluetooth capability makes for convenient hands-free calling and audio streaming, USB-C ports keep all your devices charged on extended trips.
Higher grades come with climate control, with the driver and front passenger being able to set different temperatures thanks to dual-zone automatic air conditioning. The ambient light system makes for a nice night time driving environment, with top-spec models featuring customisable colours.
On the connectivity front, Skoda Connect app provides remote services, including vehicle data, GPS location and remote telemetry feeds. The system offers navigation directions, service reminders and even assistance in an emergency, premium connectivity features for the compact-SUV class.
Among creature comforts are keyless entry and start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic headlamps that come on when it gets dark.
Skoda Kylaq Comprehensive Safety Package
Safety is very much the focus of the Kylaq’s design, with Skoda fitting a minimum of 25 active and passive safety features as standard to all variants. Six airbags (front, side, and curtain) offer serious peace of mind in the event of a crash, and the solid, rigid Unibody also includes high-strength steel components that help enhance cabin protection.
The electronic stability systems are especially advanced with the following features: Multi-Collision Brake (automatic braking after an accident to prevent further impacts), Roll Over Protection, MSR (engine drag torque control), EDL, XDS+ (torque vectoring to assist when cornering), ABS, EBD and ESP.
Some more safety features are hill-hold control (prevents rolling back on inclines) and rear parking sensors on all levels, and an reverse camera (with dynamic guidelines) on the upper grades. The Kylaq achieved a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, which means it is among the safest cars in its class, and offers extra peace of mind for family-focused customers.
Skoda Kylaq Driving Dynamics and Comfort
The European roots of the Kylaq are glaring, in that it is as comfortable as it is involving around town. The suspension setup comprises McPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear, and is tuned for Indian roads, soaking up bumps and undulations in a balanced manner and keeping the car planted without compromise on handling.
The handling is naturally very good, exhibiting good feel through the steering that gives its drivers confidence when pushing on. At 189 mm, the ground clearance of Kylaq provides an unmatched capability to go through worst of the roads, potholes, and speed breakers, while the small overall dimension and turning radius make it very agile in city.
Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH) are responsibly kept in check for a non-premium offering, and the sound insulation results in a capable cruiser that feels posh at motorway velocities. The 1.0 TSI motor is buttery smooth for a three-pot and there are very low levels of vibration that enter the cabin.
And ride quality is a highlight here, with suspension damping that allows a smooth-edged ride over all but the harshest surfaces, without neglecting body motion control when shuttling through corners.
The comfortable seats, and effective temperature control and good visibility all ensure that even daily urban commutes or longer journeys behind the wheel of a Kylaq will be a pleasurable experience.
Trim Levels and Value The GTI comes in three versions: the S, SE, and Autobahn
The Skoda Kylaq is offered in 4 trim levels – Classic, Signature, Signature+ and Prestige, and is priced starting from Rs 7.89 lakh going all the way up to Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom).
Standard equipment is extensive, which is a good thing, since the Classic is the base trim; you can only get it with the manual transmission but it comes with LED headlights, 16-inch steel wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, manual air conditioning, and a full suite of safety equipment.
Stepping up to the Signature trim gets you 16-inch alloy wheels, a larger infotainment screen, automatic climate control and more convenience features.
Moving up to the Signature+ adds alloy wheels, LED fog lamps, a digital instrument cluster and more upmarket interior appointments, while the top-spec Prestige model gets treated to ventilated seats, leatherette seats, ambient lighting and just about everything else imaginable.
The Signature trim and above get automatic transmission as options, if you care more about not shifting gears. And this is why, even with a slightly aggressive pricing and limited interior space efficiency, the Kylaq offers iteration artillery in sub-4M SUV arena – great quality, sturdy design, and impressive driving characteristics – to those who value these over plain space optimization.
Skoda Kylaq Ownership Experience
Skoda has dedicated all its efforts to improve the ownership experience of the Kylaq and solve the issues that plagued the vehicle earlier in terms of after-sales service and maintenance cost.
There’s a three year (or 100,000km) warranty offered as standard on the vehicle, with extended warranty options also available for extra peace of mind. Service intervals are 15,000 km or 1 year, whichever comes first, which means the car is likely to visit the workshop less frequently than some of its rivals.
The company’s service network has also grown considerably in the last couple of years and its centers can now be found in almost every major town and city in India.
Transparent service plans and more predictable pricing for maintenance are also part of the focus, as well as good engineering and high-quality components for long term resistance and reliability.
Skoda Kylaq Conclusion: A Compact European Premium Offering
Skoda Kylaq is a positive leap forward in a sub-4-metre SUV segment which introduces European design, driving dynamics, quality without compromising on the cost for the most of audience.
Although it enters a hotly contested segment with the likes of – Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue, Kylaq stands out with its premium positioning and sharp design language and an engaging driving character.
What’s hot: The Kylaq offers a distinctly European take on replacement earpads that comes without compromise, it’s what to do with those Sennheiser DNA infused K7xxs you have!
What’s not: Not as luxurious as those Dekoni Elite Velour pads For the majority of buyers who appreciate the subtleties of European engineering – the reassuring weight, the smooth performance, the considered design touches – the Kylaq offers an alternative to the mainstream that is hard to ignore.
It’s not the roomiest or the most feature-laden option in this range, but it is cohesive and gives you a premium experience that feels like you’re splurging a little in a category full of compromises.
Being Skoda’s most affordable model in India, the Kylaq is likely to introduce a lot of new buyers to the brand, who may look at up more expensive Skoda models – and, eventually – switch to them, as their family grows.
With its blend of style, performance and high-spec features, the Kylaq is pitched as not just the logical choice, but the emotional one – a European SUV that just so happens to be small, rather than a small SUV that wants to be European.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Skoda a German company?
A: Skoda Auto is a Czech automobile manufacturer, which although is headquartered in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the German Volkswagen Group since 2000, so, it is no surprise that people have the misconception that it is home to German engineering and technologies.
Q: What is the mileage of Skoda Kylaq?
A: Skoda Kylaq engine delivers good millage on high ways and city Traffic.
Q: Is ADAS supported with the Kylaq?
A: No, the Skoda Kylaq does not get the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) even in the top end trims. It does however get the same 25 standard active and passive safety features across the range including six airbags and a variety of electronic stability systems.
Q: What size is the boot of the Skoda Kylaq?
A: Measuring at 446-liter of boot space (1,265 liters with rear seat down), the Skoda Klyaq has a biggish boot considering that it is shorter than 4 meters.
Q: How does the Kylaq stack up to Skoda’s larger Kushaq?
A: The Kylaq is placed below the Kushaq in Skoda’s SUV hierarchy; It’s smaller in size (sub-4-meter length) and less expensive to start. While both cars have the same 1.0-liter TSI engine and similar design elements, the Kushaq gets more cabin space, added features and an optional 1.5-liter TSI engine.