Skoda Kylaq First Look

The Indian automobile market is currently dominated by SUVs, with the sub-4 metre segment accounting for a significant portion of total volume. It’s no surprise, then, that Skoda India has decided to venture into this competitive segment with their first-ever sub-4 metre product – the Kylaq. Now, this segment is intensely competitive, and Skoda has its work cut out in establishing its foothold in the segment with the Kylaq. We recently had the opportunity to get an exclusive preview of this new model – no driving yet, though – and here is what we learned about its development and features.

Cutting Edge

One of the most striking aspects of the Kylaq is its clean design. While many vehicles in the sub-4 metre segment appear incomplete – as if something were missing from their design –the Kylaq stands out with its balanced and fresh design. Featuring Skoda’s trademark design cues, the Kylaq’s front-end is particularly impressive, giving it a terrific road presence. Inside, the design of the Kylaq continues to impress, with fabric inserts in the dashboard and an overall aesthetic that is both modern and pleasing. The space management has also been thoughtfully executed, resulting in a spacious cabin and a class-leading boot space of 446 litres, expandable up to 1,265 litres.

Safety first

Interestingly, during the world premiere of the Kylaq, the first thing that Skoda officials highlighted was their commitment to safety. So, the Kylaq – even in its base Classic variant – gets 25+ active and passive safety features, including six airbags as standard across the range. The Kylaq has also undergone extensive testing in Indian conditions, covering over 8,00,000km, and has also been tested in high-altitude environments to ensure that it performs well across the diverse conditions of our country.

What works in the Kylaq’s favour is that it is based on the fantastic MQB-A0-IN platform, which gives it class-leading stiffness and rigidity. This not only enhances safety but also contributes to the car’s driving dynamics and suspension performance. Based on our experience with other cars built on the same platform – the Slavia and Kushaq, for instance – we are all but certain that the Kylaq will be one of the best-driving cars in its segment, and there is good reason for it. You see, the Kylaq is powered by the tried-and-tested 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which has proven to be an excellent performer. Additionally, customers will have the flexibility of choosing between manual and automatic transmissions right from the time of launch.

Another standout aspect of the Kylaq is its pricing. Starting at an ex-showroom price of just under ₹8 lakh, the Kylaq is the most affordable Skoda product offered in the Indian market. What’s even more impressive is that despite this price point, the Kylaq still maintains the quality standards that customers have come to expect from the brand. The solid feel when closing the door, the premium tactile surfaces, and the sturdy switchgear – all contribute to the sense of quality. With its focus on creating a unique product for the Indian market, Skoda has delivered a promising product, with an impressive design and an extensive array of safety features. In simple terms, it has all the potential to be a success in the Indian market.

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The Kylaq gets 25+ active and passive safety features as standard

Despite the affordable price point, it maintains the quality standards that customers have come to expect from a Skoda.