KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Skoda's entry into the sub 4m compact SUV space
- Prices start from Rs 7.89 Lakh
- 1-litre turbo petrol with 6MT and 6AT on offer
- Full price announcement on 2nd December
Starting this week, the Skoda Kylaq goes on sale in India and is a formidable rival to the current breed of sub 4 meter compact SUVs. We got up close to the Kylaq a few days back and though official drives will start in January (for the media fraternity), we can surely tell you more about how the Kylaq feels in the real world. You can watch our walkaround video as well by clicking the play button below
2024 Skoda Kylaq Design
This is Skoda's first shot at a compact car in recent years and the outcome has been good enough. From many angles, the Kylaq looks like a smaller cousin of the Kushaq, which is good. Talking of which, the Kylaq is about 230mm shorter in length but wider (by 23mm) and taller (7mm) than the Kushaq SUV.
It runs on 17-inch alloy wheels for the top versions and these fill up the wheel arches rather well. The Classic version gets 16-inch steel rims with wheel covers and the Signature / Signature+ get 16-inch alloy wheels.
The front of the Kylaq is entirely chrome-free, apart from the Skoda logo. The slim DRLs look aggressive, and I love the large, blacked-out grille.
The headlamps are positioned inside the bumper and the Kylaq misses out on fog lamps here. There is a pseudo skid plate up front and the same treatment has been given at the rear.
The side profile showcases the tight lines of the SUV. It is not a loud or radical design and should go well with prospective buyers. A single seamless shoulder line runs across the width, and it's only when it reaches the C pillar is when some muscle comes into the design language.
The rear of the Skoda Kylaq isn't as appealing though. And this is due to the design of the tail lamps - basic and small in size. What however tries spicing on the rear is the horizontal black panel strip that also houses the 'SKODA' lettering.
There is an integrated spoiler, a shark fin antenna and a pseudo skid plate at the back.
In all, the Kylaq is a smart-looking compact SUV, and Skoda has done well with the 'European' design. This new offering will be available in as many as seven color options for the top spec Prestige version.
2024 Skoda Kylaq Interiors
Although the wheelbase of the Kylaq is shorter than the Kushaq's, it is still excellent for the segment. On the inside, there are room for tall people and two 6 feet adults can sit one behind another. Head room too is above average. However, due to limited width, the rear bench is best for 2+1 and not 3 adults. That said, the large boot will be made good use of during weekend trips.
The dashboard layout is best described as clean and smooth. No radical design theme, no unwanted colors or in-your-face screens. You will feel at home and will love the visibility on offer.
Everything is geared towards making the Kylaq an easy-to-use car and not one that will intimidate you. That said, I would have loved to see soft touch materials at places - there is simply too much plastic around and this could be a bummer for those spending over 15 lakh in terms of on-road pricing.
We have a different video on the space point of view in our 4 people review - do have a look below.
2024 Skoda Kylaq Engine
The Kylaq is powered by a familiar 3 cylinder engine that has been doing duties in other Skoda / Volkswagen models for a long time now. This turbo-charged 1000cc unit puts out 115 bhp of max power and 178 Nm of max torque. Although these are good figures, the Mahindra 3XO offers higher figures. However, we will reserve our judgement till we get behind the wheel of the Kylaq next month.
The engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard. For the top three trims of Signature, Signature+ and Prestige, customers can also pick the 6-speed automatic gearbox. This is a torque converter unit and I have personally been happy with its performance in the Kushaq. The Kylaq being about 40 kgs lighter, will offer (slightly) better performance. Official fuel economy figures are not out yet.
2024 Skoda Kylaq Prices
Skoda made the full price announcement on 2nd December, and our version-wise analysis can be seen here. There are four trims of Classic, Signature, Signature+ and Prestige. Here is a quick look at the prices
2024 Skoda Kylaq Features
Although the Kylaq competes in a busy segment, it isn't the most feature-loaded of options in the sub 4m compact SUV space. Arjun had detailed them here a few days back.
To quickly summarize, the Kylaq misses out on a panoramic sunroof, ADAS, head-up display or HUD, a 360 degree camera and dual zone climate control.
That said, it offers a long list of other features - both the front seats are ventilated and powered, there are two screens (infotainment + speedometer) with great audio output, push button start, wireless connectivity, tyre pressure monitoring system and 6 Airbags.
Verdict
This will be Skoda's highest selling model in the Indian market and comes across as a great package. It looks nice, has ample features and excellent pricing for a 1000cc turbo charged petrol unit. We can't wait to get behind the wheel in Jan 2025!
