Skoda Kylaq Review: Highlights from Our Test Drive

The Kylaq has recently gone on sale as the Skoda’s most affordable SUV in the country, with prices ranging between Rs 7.89 lakh and Rs 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom). We recently got our hands on the Skoda Kylaq and here are our first impressions after driving it: –

It’s The Baby Kushaq!

Though the Skoda Kylaq features a new “Modern Solid” design language, it doesn’t look much different from its elder cousin Kushaq. Upfront, it gets Skoda’s signature all-black butterfly grille with a more monolithic 2D approach. The brand’s logo is positioned just above it. The grille is flanked by a split LED headlamp setup, with the LED DRLs positioned on either side of the grille.

From the sides, the Kylaq dons a Kushaq-like silhouette; however, it features simple sheet metal surfaces, unlike the Kushaq, which flaunts two sharp character lines. Nevertheless, the 17-inch dual-tone alloys and chunkier black door cladding provide it with a rugged appearance.

The rear profile of Kylaq is very distinct from its elder sibling. It boasts wraparound LED tail lamps connected by a black trim with “SKODA” letting in a chrome finish. Furthermore, its unpainted black bumper with silver faux skid plate completes the overall appearance.

Inside, It’s The Same Tale

At first glance, the overall cabin layout of the Skoda Kylaq looks similar to the Kushaq, but there are a few noticeable changes like a different design for the central air-con vents, central tunnel panels and the passenger side of the dashboard. The interior colour scheme and material textures also vary and we must say all are done very gracefully. However, it gets the same hexagonal-shaped side AC vents, a 10.1-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-inch digital cluster display, a 2-spoke steering wheel and a touch-sensitive HVAC control panel as the Kushaq.

The materials used inside the cabin are hard plastic all over, and the fit & finish are identical to the Kushaq & Slavia. Though it doesn’t feel cheap, the Kia Sonet still deliver a more premium experience in the segment.

Comfort & Space: Scope For Improvement

Like other made-in-India Skodas, getting in a comfortable driving position is an easy task thanks to the 6-way adjustable powered driver seat. In fact, the steering wheel can also be adjusted for both reach & tilt. Skoda also offers a 6-way power adjustment function for the co-passenger seat, along with a ventilation function for front seats, which proves to be an incredibly practical feature, especially in summer times. However, the ventilated seat system is a bit noisy and can draw attention if music isn’t playing. Anyway, the seats offer prominent side bolstering, holding you pretty well in your place. The Kylaq also features a sliding central armrest for added comfort.

The space in the rear, including the headroom, knee room and foot room, is generous for an average-sized adult. However, fitting two 6-footers behind one another or three at the rear bench may feel cramped and truly not recommended from our side. Also, since the front seats have an electric adjustment function, they are positioned high from the floor, which causes you to feel stuck or not get enough space to move or stretch your foot under the front seats. However, to elevate the rear seat experience, the Kylaq gets adjustable headrests for all seats, dedicated rear AC vents, a centre rear armrest with cup holders, and two C-type USB charging ports (offers 11W outputs) with a dedicated mobile holder in the seatback pockets. However, it would have been better if Skoda had also offered a rear seat recline adjustment for a more relaxed angle.

High On Practicality

The cabin of the Skoda Kylaq is well laid out, offering usable bottle holders in all doors, two cup holders in the centre console with rubber matting, a large glovebox with a sunglass holder, ample space under the front armrest, a ticket holder on the front windscreen, usable seatback pockets with mobile holders, and a spacious 446-litres of the boot, which can easily fit two large suitcases along with two cabin size trolleys and laptop bags. There are also luggage hooks in the cargo area. Furthermore, the rear seat can be folded down in a 60:40 ratio to extend the boot up to 1265 litres.

Key Features You Should Know

Apart from the above-highlighted bits, the top-spec variant of the Kylaq also gets the following amenities: –

• 8-inch digital driver’s display: Crisp display, offers customisable views.
• 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment: Quick to respond, user-friendly UI, supports wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto and gets wifi connectivity support.
• 6-Speakers: Offer decent sound quality.
• Automatic Climate Control: AC performance has been improved following complaints regarding Kushaq and Slavia.
• Touch-based HAVC control: Simple to use with dedicated recesses for fan speed and temperature control. A physical knob would have been more convenient.
• Wireless charging:  Raised ridges secure the phone in place but lack of ventilation causes overheating.
• Four type-C USB ports: Two in front (6.8W output) and two in rear (11W output).
• 2-spoke multi-function steering wheel: Looks elegant, easy access to various controls for enhanced convenience.
• Front ventilated seats: Powerful but noisy.
• Cruise control: Ensuring more relaxed driving on highways, with controls conveniently located on a stalk.
• Auto-dimming IRVM: Automatically adjusts to reduce glare from the vehicles running behind you. Adds convenience.
• Single-pane electric sunroof: Adds airiness to the cabin experience, which otherwise has smaller window areas.
• Reverse camera: Very poor quality, lacks dynamic guidelines.

The standard safety kit of the Skoda Kylaq includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors, traction control, electronic stability control, a 3-point seat belt for all seats with a reminder, a high-speed alert system, multi-collision brake, electronic differential lock, roll over protection, and rear parking sensors. Features like a tyre pressure monitoring system, hill hold assist and reverse parking camera are also available on higher variants.

Compared to the other cars in the segment, the Kylaq misses out on some feel-good features like a 360-degree camera, a branded sound system, a heads-up display, an air purifier, driving modes, front parking sensors and level-1 ADAS suite.

Also Read: Skoda Kylaq: 7 Features That Outshine the Maruti Brezza

Mighty Performance

The Kylaq comes loaded with the same 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the lower variants of the Slavia and Kushaq. This engine makes 115PS of max power and 178Nm of peak torque and can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Being a 3-cylinder unit, the engine noise is clearly audible inside the cabin. You may also feel mild vibrations on the floorboard. However, they never turn out to be unpleasant. In fact, the engine feels full of energy and life. Though the turbo lag is evident on initial RPMs, once you pass this threshold, the power delivery becomes strong and the engine revs smoothly. Fuel efficiency is a concern when revved hard.

Speaking of the gearbox options, the manual unit requires effort to slot gears and features a heavy clutch. While it is truly fun to drive, it is not recommended for those living in metros who face heavy traffic on a daily basis. On the other hand, the automatic is quick and smooth enough to meet most of your requirements. There’s also the presence of paddle shifters as well as a Tiptronic mode for manual control to satisfy your enthusiasm.

A Look at Ride and Handling

The Skoda Kylaq uses a stiffer body due to the shorter length when compared to the Kushaq. This has resulted in Skoda softening the suspension setup (but it’s still a bit on the firmer side), leading to a more comfortable and smooth ride. The high-speed stability and well-controlled body roll are also confidence-inspiring. There are little movements over broken surfaces and the suspension noise becomes evident inside the cabin.

The steering feels light and predictable, which makes city driving a breeze. Though typical Skoda/VW fans may desire more weight at higher speeds. Speaking of anchoring, stopping power is strong despite the lack of disc brakes in the rear.

Variants and Price

Skoda offers the Kylaq in four variants: Classic, Signature, Signature+ and Prestige. Save for the base-spec Classic, all other variants get the option of both manual and automatic transmission. Head here for Kylaq’s variant-wise feature breakup.

Final Wording

A late entry in the segment, but the Skoda Kylaq is for those who prioritise the driving experience and want an SUV that stands out from the crowd. However, there’s still room for in its engine refinement, rear seat comfort and variant lineup.

Worth Reading: Skoda Kylaq vs Kia Syros: Specifications and Features Compared