Skoda Kylaq : In a bold announcement that has shaken up India’s cutthroat compact SUV segment, Skoda Auto India has finally launched its long-awaited Kylaq.
Strategically it’s placed as a premium contender for the well-established lot (read Maruti Suzuki Brezza) and aims to bring a splash of Skoda’s European sensibilities to a class that was once heavily dominated by mainstream brands.
Skoda Kylaq European Luxury at Mass-Market Prices
The Skoda Kylaq is a big, big launch for the Czech manufacturer in India, for it’s the brand’s first product in the sub-4-meter SUV space which in India translates to a portfolio that constitutes almost as much as a quarter of all PV sales.
Priced at a starting ₹8.25 lakh (ex-showroom), post a major price correction, the Kyliq makes Skoda’s distinctive build quality and driving characteristics within reach of a much wider audience than ever.
“What we have done with the Kylaq is put together that bridge… between premium European engineering and the value-conscious Indian customer,” says Raj Sharma, product specialist at Skoda’s Mumbai dealership.
“Historically, the assumption has been that Euro cars are going to have a much higher price point, so we’re changing that up with the Kylaq while keeping that classic look for our brand folks.
This strategy has worked, with the Kylaq ascending the sales charts quickly upon its release.
Recent sales numbers reveal promising momentum, with shipments rising from 1,242 vehicles in January to 3,636 in February, and an impressive 5,327 in March 2025, making it one of Skoda’s top-selling models in India.
Skoda Kylaq “Mini-Kushaq” with its own character
Though it’s frequently been referred as a shrunken version of the larger sibling, the Kushaq, the Kylaq now gets its very own identity.
It is based on Skoda’s MQB-A0-IN platform that also underpins the Slavia and Kushaq and in-line with the company’s “Modern Solid” design philosophy, it flaunts clean lines, rugged body cladding, and a strong stance despite being a sub-four meter SUV.
“The Kylaq isn’t really a mini Kushaq—it’s built from the ground up to cater to the market’s needs and with Skoda DNA intact,” says automotive analyst Vikram Mohan.
“The brand’s personality is maintained with a remarkably consistent visual language in the small format,” notes the design team.
Measuring 3,995mm long, 1,768mm wide and 1,572mm high, it uses the dimensions to full effect, offering space inside and carrying space with a class-leading 446 liters of boot space – or 1,265 with the rear seats folded.
The 189mm of ground clearance also inspires confidence when dealing with uneven Indian roads.
Skoda Kylaq Best Bang for the Buck Performance
Under the bonnet, the Kylaq has access to Skoda’s dependable (Opt) 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine, which, with 114bhp and 178Nm, is a set of numbers that outpunch a lot of its rivals including the Brezza.
Paired with it is either a slick six-speed manual box or a smooth six-speed torque converter automatic, which cater to a range of driving tastes.
It is the emphasis on performance and driving pleasure that sets the Kylaq apart in a class where most have econobox, rather than sports car, tendencies.
So, the ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 19.05 – 19.68 kmpl is not bad at all, but when the car hits real-world testing and city run about figure is around 8.9 kmpl and on the highway around just 12.4 kmpl – something where the Brezza and other rivals have their edge.
“The Kylaq is for those customers who are looking for just a practical urban runabout,” senior automotive journalist Kavita Menon says.
“It is for consumers who have a liking for the subtle power delivery of a turbocharged engine and the secure, planted feel of European engineering, but are unable or unwilling to go to the ₹15 lakh-plus price point.
The Kylaq is likely to get a more potent 1.5-litre TSI engine once the 23bhp variety has been homologated for the compact SUV space and that is likely to make it the driver’s choice in its compact-SUV segment.further establishing its position as a driver’s choice in the compact SUV.
it is possible that they are testing a higher 1.5-liter TSI engine for the Kylaq as well, though that is unknown at this time.
Skoda Kylaq Class Leading Features Against the Segment Standard
Where the Kylaq really sets itself apart from the likes of the popular Brezza is in its features list that is already long and includes a few features that are usually offered on cars from a segment above.
Features The Kylaq features such as ventilated front seats, LED headlights, a digital-analog instrument cluster, 17-inch alloy wheels, and ambient lighting, depending on the variant.
Safety has been a highlight as well, with the Kylaq achieving a sought-after 5-star rating from Bharat NCAP, which places it as one of the safest cars in its segment.
Those basic safety features include side airbags, curtain airbags, electronic stability control, and a solid body structure that doesn’t skimp despite this car’s low cost.
The cabin is typical of the Skoda brand’s thoughtful design, using sustainable materials and incorporating ’Simply Clever’ touches such as ticket holders on the windscreen, designated phone pockets on the backs of the front seats and door-mounted reflectors that improve daily usability.
“The thing that is good about the Kylaq is that Skoda continue to feel like a premium brand, even at that low price bracket,” comments Ananya Patel, interior product designer specialising in automotive aesthetics.
“The materials, the switchgear, the overall fit and finish, they all impart a sense of quality that hasn’t always been applied to cheaper vehicles.”
Skoda Kylaq David’s fight vs. Goliath: Taking on the Brezza
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza has been the king of compact SUVs for quite a while now, mainly because of the Maruti’s massive service network, good resale and efficient engines.
Remaining the best seller in its segment for FY2025 is the Brezza, whose established name and reliability continues to serve the cautious, risk averse buyer.
But the fact that Kylaq is growing so quickly in terms of sales also demonstrates there are a lot of customers that are willing to move beyond the known entities in order to get some unique.
According to industry analysts, the Kylaq is pulling in two sets of buyers: those who were previously shopping for biggers, pricier cars but are tempted by the Kylaq’s value equation, and mainstream car owners who are looking for a more premium experience without having to take out a second mortgage.
“What Skoda has done with the Kylaq is similar to what Hyundai did when it first disrupted the Indian market by offering feature-packed cars at great price points,” says market analyst Deepak Sinha.
“They’re providing enough incremental value that they feel it is worth stepping off the easy choice and that’s a powerful thing in a market with more sophisticated consumers in India.”
Skoda Kylaq Growing Pains and Challenges
That sort of promising beginning notwithstanding, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Kylaq.
A large recall of 25,000 Skoda cars recently for potential problems with their rear seatbelts has put the companys customer care to the test. The vehicles at issue were produced from May 24, 2024, through April 1, 2025.
Also, some buyers have cited unsatisfactory feedback from the automatic transmission, cabin noise created by the engine and a worse-than-expected fuel economy from city driving.
These points of feedback remind us of the difficulty faced by European manufacturers to fully customise their range to Indian customer expectations and habits.
Service/maintenance cost continue to be another terrain where the likes such as those of traditional market leader Maruti Suzuki have an edge over Skoda but the latter has managed to bring down its cost of ownership significantly through localisation and also service packages.
The Future: A Broader Portfolio
Skoda’s plans in India go beyond the Kylaq, and in fact, the automaker’s product map informs that the Elroq electric SUV and facelifts of the Kushaq, Slavia and Octavia are in the pipeline.
With this wider portfolio, Skoda India is looking at making a strong foothold in the several segments of the Indian market.
For the Kylaq in particular, rumours point to possible new features like rear disc brakes, which is already seen the European prototype that is undergoing tests, and perhaps even the 1.5-litre TSI unit mentioned previously for a high-performance variant that could help set it apart from the competition.
“The small SUV market is so competitive that consumers are finding better features, efficiency and performance for the money, year after year,” says automotive analyst Rahul Kapoor.
“It will be interesting to see if Skoda can update and evolve the Kylaq to ensure it remains relevant and appealing, while listening to the feedback from early adopters.”
Skoda Kylaq Re-visioning Value in the Premium Mass Eaterie
The Kylaq, in the end, is one more exercise in recalibrating value in India’s car market.
Instead of competing purely on price, or for that matter features, Skoda has managed to produce something that delivers a very European driving experience, and the sort of brand profile that people are going to want in something that doesn’t cost significantly less than other mainstream products, despite what happens elsewhere in the world.
This strategy has invented a new sub-segment of the compact SUV market—one that focuses on driving dynamics, build quality and premium feel above ultimate fuel efficiency, or slashing the entry price to the absolute bone.
Whether or not the Kylaq is able to maintain its early sales is unclear, but as with everything, it’s just provided more choice for Indian buyers.
For established market leaders such as Maruti Suzuki, the Kylaq is a challenge but also proof that Indian consumers are growing open-minded enough to cast aside the known for the new, if the case is compelling enough.
Yes, as the small SUV market evolves, the Kylaq’s package of European Engineering and value has set a new benchmark that the others will have to take account of in their product planning.
And by straddling the divide between premium ambitions and mass-market actualities, Skoda might just have struck a chord with India’s maturing car buyers.