Skoda Kylaq Is Finally Here! Indian Price Makes It a Tata Nexon Rival

The Skoda Kylaq is finally here and it might just be the car that could spice up the sub-INR 10 lakh segment. 

With a name that translates to crystal in Sanskrit, the Kylaq is Skoda’s attempt at making its badge a household commodity after the long-forgotten Fabia hatchback from two decades ago. Maybe buyers will remember it this time crystal clear! (apologies for the bad pun)

The Kylaq is smaller than the Kushaq compact SUV and should help it compete with popular offerings like the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Mahindra XUV 3XO. 

The hype around the Kylaq has been lingering for months, with Skoda India hosting an online competition to let Indians decide what they want to call it. With the car now out, the Volkswagen Group will now bring its take on this compact SUV platform called the Tera, which will be coming out over the next few months. 

Coming back to the Kylaq, this baby Skoda could shake up the competitive compact SUV segment in India and possibly dethrone the existing rulers. 

Skoda Kylaq price in India

The Kylaq will be available in four trims – Classic, Signature, Signature Plus and Prestige. For now, Skoda has only revealed the price of the base Classic variant, which is INR 7.89 lakhs ex-showroom. Note that the price is introductory and Skoda India could hike the prices over the coming months. 

Skoda Kylaq booking and delivery dates

Skoda India will kickstart the bookings for the Kylaq from 2 December 2024 and the first customers will start driving the Kylaq off the showroom floors from 27 January 2024. Prior to the deliveries, the Kylaq will be showcased the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 from 17 January 2025. 

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A look at all the key details of Skoda Kylaq

- The Kylaq, despite being an all-new car, draws inspiration heavily from the Kushaq. You will be able to see references to the sharp, clean and modern lines and surfaces of the Kushaq, which itself is a handsome car to begin with. The split headlamp design with a sleek LED DRL and the small rear LED taillamps help to mask the bulk of the compact SUV. Skoda’s designers have used a lot of black cladding to give it a rugged look, the fake silver bash plate adding to the car’s character. Enthusiasts may also spot traces of a compact Audi Q2 SUV.

- While it looks like the Kushaq, the Kylaq has a shorter wheelbase of 2,566mm and an overall length of 3,995mm. It is 85mm shorter than its more expensive sibling. The ground clearance is set at 189mm. 

- The entry-level model of the Kylaq sits on 16-inch steel wheels whereas the mid-tier variants will get 16-inch alloys. A 17-inch alloy wheel is reserved for the top-end variant. 

- When it comes to interiors, the Kylaq comes with a layout that is familiar to the Kushaq’s insides. The Kylaq’s dashboard has vibrant design elements with an easy-to-access structure. The HVAC and other controls are easily accessible whereas the 10-inch infotainment display with a slick new OS offers quick access to several vehicle functions. The 8-inch digital instrument cluster is easily visible too, courtesy of the two-spoke steering wheel. The cabin feels plush with the well-designed seats, both in the front and rear rows. The sunroof adds to the roominess of the cabin despite an overdose of black. Luxuries like a cooled glovebox, centre armrests and ventilated leather height-adjustable front seats make Kylaq a nicer place to be in. 

- That 10-inch infotainment display features support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. iPhone and Google Pixel users will also be happy to find a wireless charging pad. Owners also get a keyless entry as an optional feature. 

- The Kylaq’s boot capacity is limited to 446 litres (excluding the parcel tray’s partition) and the presence of a 60:40 split rear seat layout makes it versatile to carry bigger luggage. 

- Skoda is yet to crash test the Kylaq and has confirmed the absence of ADAS too. However, customers get six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, electronic differential lock and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Note that these features are standard across all the variants. 

- Powering the Kylaq is the VW group’s 1-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which pumps out 115 hp and 178 Nm of peak torque. Customers can opt for either the 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox. Skoda says that the Kylaq can deliver up to 20 kmpl mileage but when in the mood to push, this baby SUV can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 10.5 seconds. That’s faster than anything we have on sale today in this segment. 

- The Kylaq shares the suspension setup with the Kushaq but the reduced length led to increased body stiffness, which in turn forced Skoda to soften the setup. Compared to the Kushaq, the Kylaq should be more comfy on our roads. 

The Kylaq and its competition

The Kylaq will take on the likes of the Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Mahindra XUV 3XO upon its arrival next year. The Nexon has been the bestseller in this segment and that boils down solely to its five-star crash safety rating and the long list of features. The Brezza stands out for its spacious cabin and punchy performance profile. The XUV 3XO is the newest kid on the block that impresses with its SUV-like driving dynamics and flashy styling. 

Will the Kylaq change Skoda’s fortunes in India and be a game-changer in its segment?

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