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Skoda Kylaq Review: The New Premium Compact SUV Challenger
Skoda's journey in India has been one of ups and downs, but ever since the Czech firm took control of the VW Group's India 2.0 program, the journey has returned to its upward trajectory. With the Kushaq SUV and Slavia sedan, Skoda's annual sales in India have surpassed the 50k mark. Now, it's looking to double that number with the Kylaq sub-4-metre SUV.
The Kylaq is the third Skoda to be based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB-A0 IN platform for the Indian market and is the smallest of the three offerings. The Kylaq's name was selected from over 2 lakh entries submitted in a Pan India contest. Taken from the Sanskrit word for Crystal, something the Czech Republic is famous for, the name also pays tribute to the Hindu holy site of Mount Kailash.
Skoda Kylaq Review: Design & Features - A Shrunken Down Kushaq Update
At first glance, the new Kylaq does remind you of a smaller-sized Skoda Kushaq but the new SUV does have a few design elements that distinguish it from its larger sibling. Chief among these are the new slimmed-down grille and the split LED lighting configuration for the DRLs and headlights. The lower half of the Kylaq's front end features black cladding and a silver faux bash plate.
At the sides, the Kylaq sports flared-out wheelarches and mostly smoothed-out doors along with blacked-out roof rails and a thick C-Pillar. The only major character line of note runs from the DRL to the end of the rear door. The wheelarches and the sides feature the same black cladding as the front end to give the Kylaq a more rugged look. The Kylaq runs on 17-inch alloys.
At the rear, the roof-mounted spoiler hosts the third taillight. The two regular taillights feature a distinct LED lighting signature and are connected by a dark section of plastic sporting the Skoda lettering. The rear bumper looks chunky and features the familiar black cladding and silver bash plate element.
Step inside, and if you've been in a Kushaq before, you'll feel right at home in the Kylaq. The dashboard is similar with easy-to-use controls, an 8-inch digital driver's display and a 10-inch touchscreen for the infotainment unit with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The seats of the Kylaq are quite easy to live with and feature faux leather upholstery. The front seats are electrically adjustable and feature ventilation and the back seats are pretty comfy too and feature adjustable headrests.
While there isn't as much space as the Kushaq thanks to the shorter wheelbase, taller passengers have decent head and knee room at the back which makes journeys hassle-free. However, getting three adults in the back of the Kylaq can get a bit tight.
In terms of features, the Kylaq has everything you'd expect from a modern SUV in its class - a sunroof, keyless entry, wireless phone charging, and a cooled glovebox for your drinks.
The Kylaq offers 446 litres of boot space (360 litres under the load cover, which means that you can stuff a few suitcases in with ease. There is also a section under the floor where you can store the load cover n, allowing you to access the entire 446 litres on offer if needed. Plus, if you need more room, you can fold down the back seats in a 60:40 split to gain even more storage room.
The Kylaq has been tested for crash safety and was given a five-star rating by Bharat NCAP. Skoda has fitted the Kylaq with six airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with EBD, electronic stability control (ESC), and child seat mounts among others. However, the Kylaq misses out on ADAS, something which is starting to become more common at its price point in recent times.
Skoda Kylaq Review: Specs & Dimensions - Smaller In The Right Ways
The Skoda Kylaq measures 3,995 mm long, 1,783 mm wide and 1,619 mm tall and features a 2,566 mm long wheelbase. The Kylaq offers 189 mm of ground clearance.
Under the bonnet, the Kylaq sports a three-cylinder 999cc TSI petrol that delivers 113 bhp and 178Nm of torque! Both manual and automatic transmission options are six-speed units, though it is to be noted that the Kylaq has ditched DSG for a regular torque converter automatic. Skoda says it can go from 0-100 km/h in just 10.5 seconds- which is pretty quick for a compact SUV in India!
The Kylaq sports disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear and borrows its suspension parts from the Kushaq. Thanks to its shorter length, Skoda made some adjustments to make the ride smoother and more comfortable and you do feel that on the road.
Skoda Kylaq Review: Driving Impressions - A Peppy Little Gem
We got to drive the top-spec Kylaq with the six-speed automatic gearbox during our few short hours with it in Goa. The 999cc turbo petrol engine felt peppy though it did feel a bit rattly at idle while the automatic gearbox shifted through the ratios quickly.
Shifting the automatic gearbox into S mode and changing gears with the paddle shifters does bring back a bit of control for those who prefer to do the shifting themselves and the changes using the paddles are quick and snappy.
The suspension setup of the Kylaq leans slightly towards the stiffer side, which significantly enhances handling during spirited drives. The Kylaq takes the bends without any issue while also negotiating bumps and ruts with ease.
The Kylaq's steering wheel feels well-weighted, providing a sense of control that makes lane changes effortless and enhances the sense of stability at higher speeds. The brakes work well and bring the Kylaq to a halt in double quick time.
Skoda Kylaq Review: Final Thoughts & Verdict - The New Premium Compact SUV Challenger
The Skoda Kylaq sees the Czech firm take all the good things about the Kushaq that have worked and distilled it down to make the formula work in the even more competitive sub-4-metre SUV class.
After half a day behind the wheel of the all-new Skoda Kylaq, we can quite easily say that it ticks most of the boxes for an SUV of this segment. Where it shines is the way it drives and just for that the Kylaq gets our vote as a sub-4-metre SUV that you should definitely shortlist if you're in the market for one.
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