It has been a quarter-century since Skoda began operations in India. While their vehicles have been, forgive the pun, superb, they’ve struggled to get any sense of scale in the market. There are multiple reasons for this, not least the fact that the Volkswagen Group, of which the Czech carmaker is an integral part, has always prioritised the Chinese market, engorging themselves in the profits there while treating India as second fiddle.
However, things are changing, and the Skoda Kylaq, the latest product from the Czechs, is evidence of that shift. This vehicle has been engineered specifically for India. While it shares the MQB-A037 platform with the Kushaq and Slavia, the Kushaq felt a bit too small for its segment, and the Slavia—being a sedan—belongs to a car style that has largely gone moribund.
So, can the Kylaq hold its own against such competition? I took it for a long drive through Goa’s roads and came back impressed with its driving dynamics. The Kylaq is powered by the same punchy 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol engine paired with familiar 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions used in other Skoda-Volkswagen cars in India. Having driven the Volkswagen Virtus with this engine and a manual gearbox in Ladakh last year, I already knew how enjoyable and fuel-efficient it could be. The Kylaq lived up to my expectations.
What sets the Kylaq apart from its rivals is its superb handling. Yes, the suspension does feel slightly softer than the Kushaq’s, but this tuning allows it to handle speed breakers and potholes with ease. Despite this, it still feels sharper than the competition. I recommend automatic transmissions for people in cities, but on Goa’s twisty ghat roads, the manual transmission added to the fun.
After driving the Kylaq, I couldn’t help but think that if Skoda built a small hatchback on this platform with lower ground clearance and tighter suspension, it could become an affordable enthusiast car. But practicality and volumes drive this segment, and Skoda is aware of this, with the Octavia vRS set to cater to the enthusiast market later this year.
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That said, the Kylaq does have a few shortcomings—ones that Indian buyers care about. For instance, a premium audio system has been a major selling point for top-end variants of competitors like the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue. Then there’s the absence of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Forward Collision Avoidance. While I have mixed feelings about ADAS, having become accustomed to these features over the past couple of years, their inclusion in rivals like the Venue, Sonet (Level 1 ADAS), and Mahindra XUV 3X0 (Level 2 ADAS) could influence buyer decisions.
Interestingly, the Kylaq’s steering wheel has a button for ADAS functionality that doesn’t currently work. Skoda likely plans to introduce these features in the upcoming facelifts of the Kushaq and Slavia. For now, the Kylaq missed a trick here, although it has a Five-Star Bharat-NCAP safety rating for adult and child occupancy, the highest scores in its segment, which is commendable.
Despite these safety accolades, Skoda faces challenges with market perception and reach. The Tata Nexon and Maruti-Suzuki Brezza, the segment’s best-sellers, don’t offer ADAS either but benefit from extensive dealer networks and a reputation for affordability. Skoda, on the other hand, is still overcoming the perception that its cars are expensive to maintain—a legacy of its early years in India.
Petr Janeba, Brand Director of Skoda India, acknowledged these challenges. He said that much of the Kylaq’s marketing would focus on dispelling the myth of high maintenance costs and highlighting affordability. “Who else gives you a 115PS turbo engine at a price below Rs 8 lakh?” he pointed out, adding that Skoda plans to expand its dealer network aggressively this year.
Make no mistake, I liked the Kylaq. It offers a comfortable rear seat, ample luggage space, and an enjoyable driving experience. For young buyers on a budget seeking a fun SUV, it’s an excellent option. However, for those eyeing the higher variants, the lack of tech toys like branded audio, ADAS, and a panoramic sunroof might make it seem less competitive compared to rivals.
@kushanmitra is an automotive journalist based in New Delhi. Views are personal.
(Prashant)
