Skoda’s first sub-4m compact SUV, the Kylaq has been launched at ₹7.89 lakh! Under the body, the Kylaq shares a lot with the Kushaq — like the fact that it is built on the same MQB-A0-IN platform. The Skoda Kylaq will only be available with a 1-litre TSI engine, and will rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Tata Nexon and the Mahindra XUV 3XO. Customer bookings open on December 2, 2024, and deliveries are set to begin from January 27, 2025.
The Skoda Kylaq is the first sub-4m car from the brand, after the discontinued Skoda Fabia. The Kylaq gets an aggressive and sporty design language, similar to the Kushaq. On the front, there’s a split headlamp design with LED headlamps and DRLs, similar to the ones seen on the Elroq, which was unveiled just a few weeks before. The wheelbase is 81mm shorter than the Kushaq, giving it a 2566mm wheelbase, and an overall length of 3995mm. Despite being shorter, it carries the same track width as the Kushaq, and gets a ground clearance of 189mm. Skoda claims to have the best-in-class 446-litre boot carrying capacity. The top-end variant will ride on 17-inch wheels, while the lower variants will get 16-inch wheels. The Kylaq is also available in an exclusive new Olive Gold colour.
The Skoda Kylaq’s cabin is similar to the one seen on the Kushaq, because of the similar track width. You get an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the features front, the Kylaq gets ventilated front seats, six-way electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat, wireless phone charger and a sunroof. The second-row has compromised legroom, but the seating position is high up and the seats get a good amount of thigh-support. Skoda is aiming for a 5-star BNCAP crash safety rating, so the car gets six airbags as standard, ISOFIX mounts and a suite of electronic safety aids.
The Skoda Kylaq gets the 1-litre TSI petrol engine shared with the Kushaq and the Slavia, that pushes out 114bhp and 178Nm. It can either be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed torque converter, which gets paddle shifters and sport mode.
The Skoda Kylaq has been launched in India at ₹7.89 lakh. It rivals the Hyundai Venue priced at ₹7.94 lakh, the Kia Sonet priced at ₹7.99 lakh, the Mahindra XUV 3XO priced at ₹7.79 lakh, and the Tata Nexon priced at ₹7.99 lakh. Extended rivals will include the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger.