New Beginnings

It has been 25 years since Skoda arrived in India. To put it into perspective, that’s a whole decade before the other VW group superstar, the Polo, was launched in India. While the brand wasn’t unknown to the country, its official presence began with the magnificent Skoda Octavia. It helped Skoda with brand-building, setting the tone for what its customers could expect from the carmaker. Some brilliant products followed, and it became clear that if you wanted a good-looking car that drove really well and felt like a tank on the move, you would be all right with going to a Skoda dealership. Although the dealer network and service issues took some toll on the ownership experience, Skoda proactively rectified that, especially under the India 2.0 strategy. During the same period cars like the Slavia and Kushaq were brought out, amalgamating the inherent Skoda qualities with the benefits of a modern, heavily localised platform. The third Skoda to come out of said platform is the all-new Kylaq. It’s a sub-four-metre SUV and brings forward what Skoda thinks buyers want in a package that is priced so brilliantly that it’s a potential success story in the making already. We take the all-new Skoda Kylaq for a test drive to know more.

How does it look?

The Skoda DNA is visible throughout the Kylaq’s exterior. Its signature elements like split LED lead lights, 17-inch alloys and bold grille lend it a very Kushaq-like appearance at first. At the back, the wraparound LED taillights are a nice touch, while the inclusion of plastic cladding on the body makes it appear more rugged and off-road-friendly, while the Olive Gold paint on our test car helped the Kylaq stand out. We felt Skoda could’ve struck a better balance between rugged and premium, especially with the overuse of plastic cladding, but on the whole, the design works well.

Familiarity continues inside, too. If you’ve been in a modern Skoda, especially a Slavia or Kushaq, the Kylaq’s interior will definitely not feel too different. The overall feel is consistent and the cabin feels premium, considering the price at which the Kylaq retails. The dual-tone finish adds sophistication to the design, while the presence of a wide range of features (variant-specific) further makes the Kylaq a tempting purchase. The seats, both at the front and rear, are particularly notable. The front seats offer great support, and the rear seats aren’t short on comfort. Despite its small footprint, space isn’t an issue on the Kylaq. Its occupants are unlikely to complain of claustrophobia, especially with rear legroom and headroom not compromised. The boot space, at 446 litres, is claimed to be the largest in the segment.

The features list includes an electric sunroof, a two-spoke steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a 10-inch infotainment system, wireless charging, 6-way adjustable front seats, auto AC, cruise control, a cooled glove box, USB-C charging and a large screen in place of the instrument cluster

Features

The features list includes an electric sunroof, a two-spoke steering wheel (which is a delight to use), ventilated front seats, a 10-inch infotainment system (with wireless Android and Apple connectivity suites), wireless charging, 6-way adjustable front seats, auto AC, cruise control, a cooled glove box, USB-C charging, and a large screen in place of the instrument cluster.

Composure on the move

It is impressive how some modern amenities have found a way to the most approachable Skoda on sale, but this doesn’t mean qualities inherent to Skodas are forgotten. The body dynamics, for instance, is a department where, like any self-respecting Skoda, the Kylaq fares brilliantly. The steering is precise and inspires confidence, the chassis feels well-balanced, and the suspension is set up to offer the best-in-segment balance between sharp handing (easily better than the rest in the segment) and supple ride quality. On the move — on good roads and when you’re driving enthusiastically — the Kylaq maintains complete composure, exhibiting minimal body roll, while its direct and responsive steering proves how Skoda is at the top of its game. Potholes are dealt with quite adeptly, too, without any signs that you are in a sub-four-metre SUV, so much so that it makes the whole experience very Kushaq-like, which is saying something.

Engaging performance

The 1-litre TSI turbocharged-petrol engine is standard on the Kylaq and can be specced with either a six-speed manual or an automatic. The mini-Kushaq character is quite evident here, too, as with 114 bhp and 18.15 kg-m, the engine feels adequately powerful. The six-speed manual is more engaging, and with its tactile shifts and a light clutch, it tends to bring out the best in the SUV. A well-executed manual gearshift is a reward only keen drivers know and appreciate, and the Kylaq offers many opportunities to do so every time you take it out for a spin. The automatic isn’t bad, either. It’s great for the city, offering smooth shifts and complementing the peppy delivery of the engine. We found that it has some potential to improve its downshifts though.

Priced between ₹7.89 lakh for the base Kylaq Classic and ₹14.40 lakh for the Kylaq Prestige, this new Skoda has a wide range of variants to help buyers get the version that suits their requirements and budget. Buyers will appreciate its fresh design, premium interior, and, of course, how it doesn’t stray too far away from its roots. The engaging performance and what looks like solid build quality will win people over, in addition to the fact that, like its brethren, the Kylaq is a safe product — it scored five stars in the Bharat NCAP test last month. As a sub-four-metre SUV, the Kylaq has a lot to offer in terms of looks, features, overall drivability, and brand appeal. With a hugely improved sales and service network, Skoda is possibly in the best position to present a car in this greatly competitive space. The Kylaq’s potential as a product isn’t going to be marred by paraphernalia, but the question remains whether the Indian car buyer is ready for a new small Skoda this time around. Yes, we think so, too!

Published on February 8, 2025