Skoda Kylaq: In India’s fiercely competitive automotive landscape, where compact SUVs reign supreme, Skoda has made a calculated and impressive entry with the Kylaq.
Launched in late 2024 and hitting dealerships in early 2025, this sub-4-meter SUV represents Skoda’s strategic push into one of India’s most lucrative vehicle segments.
Drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Kushaq, while introducing elements of Skoda’s new Modern Solid design language, the Kylaq stands as a testament to the Czech automaker’s commitment to the Indian market.
Skoda Kylaq: The Name and Its Origins
The Kylaq’s name itself has an interesting backstory that connects directly with Indian consumers. Unlike many global models that simply adopt international nomenclature, Skoda conducted a nationwide “Name Your Skoda” campaign, inviting over 200,000 entries from the public.
This participatory approach culminated in the selection of “Kylaq” – continuing Skoda’s SUV naming tradition that began with the Kodiaq and followed with the Kushaq, whose name derives from the Sanskrit word for “Emperor.”
This naming strategy reflects Skoda’s commitment to localization, with the winner of the naming contest receiving the first production Kylaq – a clever marketing move that generated significant buzz and fostered brand loyalty even before the vehicle hit showrooms.
Design Philosophy and Exterior Styling
The Kylaq introduces Skoda’s new Modern Solid design language to the Indian market, marking a significant aesthetic evolution for the brand. At first glance, the SUV presents a boxy, muscular stance that communicates ruggedness despite its compact dimensions. Standing at just under 4 meters in length (3,995mm to be precise), the Kylaq maximizes its visual presence through clever design elements.
The front fascia features a distinctive black grille with 3D ribs replacing Skoda’s traditional radiator grille, flanked by a split headlamp setup with C-shaped LED daytime running lights that draw inspiration from both the Kushaq and the recently unveiled Elroq.
This lighting signature creates a family resemblance while establishing the Kylaq’s unique identity.
Along the sides, strong character lines and squared-off wheel arches housing 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels (on higher variants) contribute to its SUV stance.
The 189mm ground clearance, while not class-leading, provides sufficient elevation to handle typical Indian road conditions.
The rear continues the modern theme with T-shaped LED taillights connected by a black horizontal stripe, creating a wider visual impression and reinforcing the vehicle’s solid appearance.
Available in seven colors – Deep Black Pearl, Candy White, Brilliant Silver, Carbon Steel, Tornado Red, Lava Blue, and the distinctive Olive Gold (a Kylaq exclusive) – the compact SUV offers ample personalization options to suit diverse tastes.
Interior Space and Comfort
Stepping inside the Kylaq reveals Skoda’s thoughtful approach to interior design. Despite its compact external dimensions, the cabin feels surprisingly spacious, with a design philosophy that prioritizes functionality without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
The dashboard employs a split design with varied textures – a cross-hatch pattern on the upper section, a textured white portion on the middle, and dimpled hexagonal accents – creating visual interest without appearing cluttered.
The olive green/dark green accents throughout the cabin provide subtle contrast and reinforce the SUV’s outdoor character.
Material quality impresses for this segment, with consistent fit and finish reminiscent of the more expensive Kushaq.
The leatherette upholstery on higher trims feels durable yet premium, while the two-spoke steering wheel – now a Skoda signature – provides a distinctive touch and excellent ergonomics.
Where the Kylaq truly excels is in its practical space utilization. The front seats offer generous accommodation even for taller occupants, with six-way electrical adjustment on top trims enhancing comfort.
The rear bench, though better suited for two adults rather than three, provides adequate legroom and exceptional thigh support thanks to its elevated seating position.
Perhaps most impressive is the Kylaq’s cargo capacity. With 446 liters of boot space that expands to 1,265 liters with the rear seats folded, it leads the segment in luggage-carrying ability.
This practical advantage, coupled with numerous storage compartments throughout the cabin, underscores Skoda’s “Simply Clever” philosophy with thoughtful touches like a ticket holder on the windshield, dedicated phone pockets on the seatbacks, and reflectors on doors.
Technology and Connectivity
The technology suite in the Kylaq is comprehensive, particularly in higher trim levels. The driver faces an 8-inch digital instrument cluster that displays essential information clearly and can be customized to emphasize different parameters based on driver preference.
The centerpiece of the dashboard is a 10.1-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment system that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The interface is intuitive, with crisp graphics and responsive touch controls, though some users might find the lack of physical buttons for common functions like volume control somewhat inconvenient.
Connectivity features abound, with four USB Type-C ports distributed throughout the cabin ensuring everyone’s devices remain charged.
A wireless smartphone charging pad further eliminates cable clutter, while the six-speaker audio system delivers acceptable sound quality for this segment.
Other technological comforts include automatic climate control with rear vents, ventilated front seats that prove invaluable during Indian summers, keyless entry with push-button start, and ambient lighting that enhances the cabin’s atmosphere during night driving.
While some competitors offer more advanced features like 360-degree cameras, heads-up displays, or Level 1/2 ADAS systems, the Kylaq’s technology package remains competitive for its price point, focusing on genuinely useful features rather than gimmicks.
Powertrain and Performance
Under the hood, the Kylaq employs Skoda’s proven 1.0-liter TSI turbocharged petrol engine, shared with the Kushaq and Slavia.
This three-cylinder powerplant produces 114 horsepower (85kW) and 178Nm of torque – respectable figures that provide spirited performance for a vehicle in this class.
Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic with paddle shifters on higher trims.
Both deliver power to the front wheels, with the automatic featuring a sport mode for more aggressive shifting patterns.
The TSI engine’s character suits urban driving particularly well, with excellent low-end torque making city commutes effortless.
The surge of power from around 1,750rpm creates a lively driving experience that belies the modest displacement, though the three-cylinder configuration does introduce some vibration at idle that smooths out once underway.
Fuel efficiency is another strong point, with ARAI-certified figures of 19.68 km/l for the manual and 19.05 km/l for the automatic.
Real-world consumption typically ranges between 14-16 km/l in mixed driving conditions, though aggressive driving or heavy traffic can reduce these figures considerably.
The driving dynamics deserve special mention, as the Kylaq shares its MQB-A0-IN platform with the Kushaq.
The rigid chassis and well-tuned suspension create a balanced ride that absorbs road imperfections admirably while maintaining composure through corners. Steering response is direct and nicely weighted, making the Kylaq genuinely enjoyable to drive – a characteristic often missing in this segment.
Braking performance is confident, with disc brakes up front and drums at the rear, supported by electronic aids like ABS and EBD.
The overall package delivers European driving dynamics in an affordable Indian package, positioning the Kylaq as a driver’s car among more utilitarian competitors.
Safety Features and Credentials
Safety represents one of the Kylaq’s strongest selling points. Skoda designed the compact SUV with a rigid structure utilizing high-strength steel in critical areas, complemented by a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features.
All Kylaq variants come standard with six airbags – front, side, and curtain – marking a welcome departure from the segment norm where many base models make do with just two.
This commitment to occupant protection extends to the inclusion of ISOFIX child seat anchors, three-point seatbelts for all positions, and seat belt reminders.
The electronic safety suite is equally robust, with over 25 active and passive safety features standard across the range.
These include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Multi-Collision Brake, Roll Over Protection, Motor Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock (XDS+), and Hill Hold Control on higher variants.
This comprehensive approach to safety has earned the Kylaq a prestigious 5-star rating from Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupant protection, making it one of the safest vehicles in its segment.
This certification provides invaluable peace of mind to safety-conscious consumers – an increasingly important factor in purchase decisions across all market segments in India.
Variant Structure and Pricing Strategy
The Kylaq is available in four primary trim levels – Classic, Signature, Signature Plus, and Prestige – each with manual and automatic transmission options, creating a total of eight variants to choose from.
Pricing begins at an extremely competitive ₹7.89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base Classic manual variant, rising to approximately ₹14.40 lakh for the range-topping Prestige automatic.
This positioning places the Kylaq squarely against established players like the Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet.
The base Classic variant offers impressive value, with standard features including six airbags, steel wheels with covers, halogen headlamps, power windows, manual air conditioning, and basic fabric upholstery.
Moving up to the Signature adds alloy wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen, rear AC vents, and automatic climate control, among other enhancements.
The sweet spot in the range appears to be the Signature Plus, which introduces the 10.1-inch infotainment system, LED headlights, keyless entry with push-button start, and leatherette upholstery.
The top-tier Prestige adds luxury touches like ventilated front seats, a sunroof, wireless charging, and the full suite of safety features.
Interestingly, the higher Kylaq variants do overlap with the entry-level Kushaq in terms of pricing, potentially creating some internal competition.
However, Skoda has clearly differentiated the two models through sizing, features, and market positioning, with the Kylaq targeting urban dwellers seeking a compact yet premium SUV experience.
Ownership Experience and After-Sales Service
Recognizing that product excellence alone isn’t enough to succeed in the Indian market, Skoda has concentrated on improving its after-sales service reputation – historically a pain point for the brand.
The Kylaq comes with a standard 4-year/100,000 km warranty, demonstrating confidence in the vehicle’s reliability.
Maintenance costs are kept in check through increased localization (over 95% of components are manufactured in India) and service packages that provide cost predictability.
Skoda has also expanded its service network significantly, now covering over 250 touchpoints across more than 150 cities in India.
Service intervals are set at 15,000 km or one year, whichever comes first – a relatively generous schedule compared to some competitors that require more frequent maintenance.
The Peace of Mind package offers additional warranty extensions and service plans that further reduce ownership anxiety, while the Skoda mobile app enables convenient service booking, maintenance history tracking, and roadside assistance access.
These initiatives reflect Skoda’s recognition that in India’s competitive automotive landscape, a positive ownership experience is as crucial as the product itself.
By addressing previous concerns head-on, the brand aims to build long-term customer relationships rather than just transactional sales.
Market Reception and Future Prospects
Initial market reception for the Kylaq has been promising, with over 10,000 bookings reported within the first ten days of order books opening.
This enthusiastic response suggests that Skoda has identified and addressed a specific market gap – consumers seeking European design, driving dynamics, and safety in an affordable compact package.
Waiting periods currently stretch to approximately two months for certain variants and colors, indicating strong demand outpacing initial production capacity.
The Kylaq has proven particularly popular in metropolitan areas, where its compact dimensions, easy maneuverability, and premium feel provide distinct advantages.
Looking ahead, Skoda plans to introduce additional variants and special editions to maintain market momentum.
A Kylaq Monte Carlo with sportier styling and equipment seems likely, following the pattern established with the Kushaq.
There are also rumors of a potential one-make racing series featuring specially prepared Kylaq models – an innovative marketing approach that would reinforce the vehicle’s dynamic capabilities.
The success of the Kylaq carries broader implications for Skoda’s Indian strategy. As part of the brand’s INDIA 2.0 project, which has already seen the introduction of the Kushaq and Slavia, the Kylaq represents a crucial volume driver that could significantly boost Skoda’s market share and manufacturing economies of scale.
Skoda Kylaq: A Worthy Contender
The Skoda Kylaq enters a fiercely contested segment where established players have already carved out loyal customer bases.
Yet it brings a distinctive European flavor to the table that sets it apart from its predominantly Asian and Indian competitors.
Its strengths lie in areas that truly matter to discerning buyers – thoughtful design, engaging driving dynamics, comprehensive safety features, and a premium feel that exceeds its price point.
The spacious interior and class-leading cargo capacity add practical appeal to its emotional attributes.
While some competitors may offer more features on paper or slightly larger dimensions, the Kylaq’s holistic approach to the compact SUV formula creates a compelling overall package.
It successfully translates Skoda’s brand values into an accessible format that should resonate with Indian consumers seeking something different from the mainstream options.
As Skoda’s first foray into the sub-4-meter segment, the Kylaq demonstrates both the brand’s adaptability and its understanding of local market needs.
By blending European engineering with Indian sensibilities, Skoda has created not just a competitive product but a potential game-changer for the brand’s position in one of the world’s most important automotive markets.
Whether the Kylaq can maintain its initial momentum and carve out substantial market share remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – it has given established players reason to look nervously over their shoulders, and consumers have gained another worthy option in their quest for the perfect compact SUV.