Skoda Kylaq: The Škoda Kylaq is Škoda’s new compact SUV for India, positioned as a stylish, feature‑rich, and safety‑focused alternative to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara in the ₹7.5–13 lakh segment.
Built on the MQB A0 IN platform, it shares its 1.0 TSI turbo petrol engine and many features with the Kushaq, but comes with a more aggressive design, a long list of comfort and tech features, and a 5‑star Bharat NCAP safety rating, making it a strong choice for young families and style‑conscious buyers.
Design and Styling – Bold, SUV Look
Škoda has given the Kylaq a very aggressive, SUV‑first design with a large grille, sharp LED DRLs, connected LED headlamps, and a wide stance that makes it look more premium than most rivals.
The side profile is defined by 17‑inch alloy wheels, blacked‑out cladding, and a strong shoulder line, giving it a rugged, crossover feel.
At the rear, there’s a full‑width LED light bar, a roof‑mounted spoiler, and a muscular bumper that completes the SUV theme. For 2026, Škoda has kept the design fresh with minor tweaks to the bumper, alloy designs, and colour options, giving it a more refined, upmarket appearance compared to the earlier model.
Dimensions and Space
The Kylaq is a compact SUV with a length of around 3,995 mm, width of 1,783 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,566 mm, giving it a good balance of city‑friendly size and cabin space. Ground clearance is a generous 189 mm, which is very useful for Indian roads with speed breakers and rough patches.
Inside, it’s a 5‑seater with a 60:40 split rear seat that can be reclined, making it comfortable for long drives. The boot is around 446 litres, which expands to nearly 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded, making it practical for weekend trips and family shopping.
Engine and Performance
The Škoda Kylaq is powered by a 999 cc, 3‑cylinder, turbo petrol 1.0 TSI engine that produces around 114–116 PS of power and 178 Nm of torque, depending on the variant. This engine is tuned for strong low‑ and mid‑range performance, making it very usable in city traffic and on highways.
The engine is mated to a 6‑speed manual or a 6‑speed torque converter automatic, both of which are smooth and well‑matched to the engine.
The top speed is around 180–190 kmph, which is more than enough for city rides and highway cruising, and the claimed mileage is around 19.0–19.7 kmpl, making it reasonably fuel‑efficient for a turbo SUV.
Ride and Handling
The Kylaq rides on MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear, tuned to balance comfort and handling for Indian roads. The electric power steering is light at low speeds and firms up at higher speeds, making it easy to handle in traffic and stable on highways.
With 17‑inch alloy wheels and disc brakes on all four wheels, the Kylaq feels planted and confident in corners, while the high ground clearance helps it tackle bad roads and speed breakers without scraping. Drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) let drivers adjust throttle response and steering feel as per the situation.
Interior and Features
Inside, the Kylaq gets a premium, driver‑focused cabin with a 10‑inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8‑inch digital driver display, and a dual‑tone interior that looks sophisticated.
The top Prestige AT variant gets auto LED projector headlights, a single‑pane sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, a wireless charger, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Key comfort features include automatic climate control, rear AC vents, a cooled glovebox, cruise control, rear parking camera, rear parking sensors, and a 360‑degree camera on higher trims.
It also has a multi‑function steering wheel, paddle shifters, USB chargers for front and rear, and a large central console with storage, making it very practical for daily use.
Safety and Crash Rating
The Škoda Kylaq is one of the safest compact SUVs in its segment, with a 5‑star adult and 5‑star child safety rating from Bharat NCAP. It comes with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill assist, TPMS, rear camera with guidelines, and ISOFIX child seat mounts, making it a strong choice for families.
It also has features like seat belt warning, door ajar warning, speed sensing auto door lock, impact sensing auto door unlock, and pretensioners with force limiters, which add to its overall safety and peace of mind.
Price and Variants in India
In India, the Škoda Kylaq petrol variants start around ₹7.59 lakh (ex‑showroom) and go up to ₹12.99 lakh for the top Prestige AT automatic trim.
It is available in multiple variants (Classic, Signature, Signature Plus, Prestige) and colours like Sunset Orange, Arctic White, and Graphite Grey. It can be booked through Škoda’s official website and dealerships across the country.
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Skoda Kylaq Final Verdict – Who Should Buy It?
The Škoda Kylaq is a great pick for buyers who want a stylish, feature‑rich compact SUV with strong safety, modern tech, and a comfortable ride in the ₹7.5–13 lakh range.
It’s ideal for young professionals, small families, and those who frequently travel long distances and need a comfortable, connected, and well‑equipped SUV.
If a bold SUV look, a long feature list, a premium cabin, and a 5‑star safety rating matter more than a 7‑seater layout or a diesel engine, the Škoda Kylaq is one of the most compelling choices in the compact SUV segment in 2026.