The Kylaq is slated for a global debut on November 6, followed by a launch in early 2025.
Skoda India is gearing up for the global debut of the Kylaq on November 6, marking the carmaker’s first foray into the compact SUV segment. The Kylaq will come into a very populated segment to join the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO, but it is also the largest sub-segment in the market, comprising more than 50 percent of all SUV sales.
The Kylaq will be an important model for Skoda, positioned right in the heart of the market. Here, we are looking at how it compares with its rivals on paper in terms of size and specs.
Skoda Kylaq vs rivals: dimensions
| Skoda Kylaq vs rivals: dimensions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Kylaq | Nexon | Brezza | XUV 3XO | Venue | Sonet | Magnite | Kiger | |
| Length | 3,995mm | 3,995mm | 3,995mm | 3,990mm | 3,995mm | 3,995mm | 3,994mm | 3991mm | |
| Wheelbase | 2,556mm | 2,498mm | 2,500mm | 2,600mm | 2,500mm | 2,500mm | 2,500mm | 2,500mm | |
Skoda has not yet disclosed the width or height of the Kylaq, but we do have its length and wheelbase for comparison with its rivals. At 3,995mm in length, the Kylaq fits just under the sub-4m mark to be in line with most other compact SUVs, although the XUV 3XO, Kiger, and Magnite are slightly shorter.
Skoda Kylaq vs rivals: engine and specs
| Skoda Kylaq vs rivals: engine specifications | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Kylaq | Nexon | Brezza | XUV 3XO | Venue | Sonet | Magnite | Kiger |
| Type | 3 cyls turbo | 3 cyls turbo | 4 cyls NA | 3 cyls turbo/3 cyls turbo | 4 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo | 4 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo | 3 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo | 3 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo |
| Displacement | 999cc | 1199cc | 1462cc | 1197cc/1197cc (TGDi) | 1197cc/998cc | 1197cc/998cc | 999cc/999c | 999cc/999c |
| Power | 115hp | 120hp | 103hp | 111hp/131hp | 83hp/120hp | 83hp/120hp | 72hp/100hp | 72hp/100hp |
| Torque | 178Nm | 170Nm | 137Nm | 200Nm/230Nm | 114Nm/172Nm | 114Nm/172Nm | 96Nm/160Nm | 96Nm/160Nm |
| MT gearbox | 6MT | 5MT/6MT | 5MT | 6MT/6MT | 5MT/6MT | 5MT/6iMT | 5MT | 5MT |
| AT gearbox | 6AT | 6AMT/7DCT | 6AT | 6AT | 7DCT | 7DCT | 5MT, CVT | 5MT, CVT |
The Kylaq will be powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 115hp and 178Nm of torque. From the other Skoda-VW cars that this engine does duty in, we know it is responsive, relatively refined, and delivers strong acceleration. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.
The Kylaq will have a single engine: the 1.0 TSI. Whereas, most of its competitors offer at least two options. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it’s more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals, but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV 3XO, with the 131hp, TGDi engine, remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it’s the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.
It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza is the only model in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit; the Nexon too will soon get one.
Skoda Kylaq’s expected price
We expect the Kylaq to be priced between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom), which is at par with most of the competition, but is slightly above the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger that are positioned at the budget end of the segment.
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