Škoda Kylaq: Redefining Compact SUVs for India

Škoda Auto India has introduced its most affordable offering yet, the Kylaq, a sub-4-metre compact SUV tailored specifically for Indian buyers. Announced on December 2, 2024, with bookings now open, the Kylaq had been unveiled earlier on November 6, 2024, at a launch event in Mumbai. Deliveries are scheduled to start from January 27, 2025.

At the unveiling, Škoda Auto's top leaders, including Klaus Zellmer (CEO, Škoda Auto), Petr Janeba (Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Brand Director), and Piyush Arora (MD & CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India), highlighted the Kylaq's importance in their growth strategy. Zellmer described the SUV as a "new entry point to the Škoda brand," emphasizing India’s role as a cornerstone of the company’s global expansion.

Price, Dimensions and Market Strategy

The Kylaq is priced competitively at ₹7.89 lakh (ex-showroom), making it the most budget-friendly Škoda model in the country. With SUVs constituting 50% of India’s new car sales, this compact vehicle is expected to play a significant role in Škoda's ambitious goal of selling 100,000 cars annually in India by 2026. Notably, the brand has already seen remarkable progress, cutting down the time to achieve 100,000 sales from six years in the past to just two years by 2023.

Designed for India’s unique roads, the Kylaq offers compact dimensions and impressive capabilities:

• Length: 3,995 mm
• Width: 1,783 mm
• Height: 1,619 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,566 mm
• Ground Clearance: 189 mm

Equipped with a 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol engine, the Kylaq delivers 114 bhp (85 kW) of power and 178 Nm of torque. It achieves 0-100 km/h in just 10.5 seconds with a six-speed manual transmission and reaches a top speed of 188 km/h. An automatic variant featuring a six-speed torque converter and paddle shifters is also available for select trims.

Safety: A Priority for Škoda

The Kylaq continues Škoda’s legacy of prioritizing safety. Built on the MQB-A0-IN platform—proven with Global NCAP 5-star ratings for the Kushaq and Slavia—the Kylaq offers over 25 active and passive safety features. Key safety highlights include:

• Six airbags
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Roll Over Protection (ROP)
• Multi-Collision Braking (MCB)
• Brake Disc Wiping (BDW)
• ISOFIX child seat mounts