Skoda Kylaq Review: Driver’s Delight

I don’t necessarily believe that there is such a thing as “too late to the segment”. Sure, being early is rarely a bad thing but Skoda launching the Kylaq in a segment where so many established alternatives already exist should also mean they had the time to build a formula that addresses any needs not met already. It’s the difference between breaking the news first and dropping a report a little later but with more insight. 

In that regard, Skoda can say “target achieved”. But the challenge it faces is something different.

Smile!

Now, smile you will! Underpinning the Kylaq is the MQB A0 IN platform that’s already delivered 4 good to drive cars - the Skoda Kushaq, Skoda Slavia, VW Taigun and VW Virtus. Except, there have been some revisions in the suspension setup and you’ve got a car that’s ~50kg lighter than the Kushaq with the 82mm shorter wheelbase. The end result is a happy little car with driving dynamics that are sharp, predictable and most importantly, severely enjoyable!

“Meepmeep!” goes the Kylaq’s atypical for Skoda horn as we zip past the 17th trucker occupying the overtaking lane and dart our way ahead to the shoot location in South Goa. High speed lane switches, deep bridge expansion joints, 100-0kmph braking - no matter what test we put it through, the cute little Kylaq delivers maturity. No bounciness, no excessive body roll and a steering that’s as precise and well-weighted as it is light to use in traffic.

Complementing the strong dynamics package is the Kylaq’s only engine option - the 1-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 115PS and 178Nm of torque, it comes paired with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The engine’s peppy as ever but comes with initial urgency dialled down ever so slightly to make it easier to use in traffic. Turbo-lag is still apparent and it’s no naturally-aspirated petrol when it comes to low-speed smoothness but the learning curve to get the best out of it isn’t sharp. And boy is it quick! Getting past 100kmph is no task and the Kylaq feels happy ferrying a full passenger load.

The manual transmission does strike the right balance between fun and convenient to use, so while the automatic’s ease of use is a given, the manual won’t necessarily feel cumbersome in traffic. The 6-speed automatic feels smooth for regular driving and the shift-logic is generally on point so you won’t necessarily feel the need for the paddle-shifters it comes with.

Claimed fuel-efficiency numbers sit at 19.05-19.68kmpl (MT-AT) but in our experience with this engine, 12-16kmpl (city-highway) is achievable. In super heavy stop-n-go traffic, that number can dip below 10kmpl.

Sense

Inside, the Kylaq is at its essence, the Kushaq. The cabin quality, choice of plastics and even the basic layout of controls is identical. So while the quality still won’t feel as rich as a Kia Sonet or Mahindra XUV3XO’s, what you do get is a well-built car that includes the all important Skoda door thud. 

There’s room for tall drivers to spread out a bit too as the seat’s travel range is long and the dashboard’s been shaped in the right way to keep clear of your knees. The door pockets have space for 1-litre bottles and then some, the glovebox is large and there are two cupholders too. Backseat users will find enough space for a 6 footer to sit behind himself with headroom to spare but the backrest’s angle is a touch too upright. And while it is a great 4 seater, the strongly-defined seat contours make life less than ideal for a middle passenger.

Measured up to the roof, there’s 446-litres of boot space too, which is enough to fit one check-in-sized bag, two cabin trolley bags and a few backpacks too.

Suave

Here’s where things get a little tricky. The Kylaq is certainly a feature-loaded car, offering a single-pane sunroof, ventilated and powered front seats, tilt and reach-adjustable steering along with auto AC and rear AC vents. The 10.1-inch touchscreen offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support and the digital instrument cluster has analogue or digital displays to shuffle through.

But there are gaps - the 6-speaker music system is acceptable at best and feels out of its element especially with bass heavy music. There is no 360-degree camera, just one at the rear and its quality needs to be MUCH better. Competitors like the Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV 3XO offer a panoramic sunroof and new entrants like the Kia Syros even offer rear ventilated seats and L2 ADAS to top.

The feature misses aren’t necessarily deal breakers but the brochure read is a little heavier among its key competitors.

Safe

The Kylaq has received the full 5-star safety rating from BNCAP for both adult and child occupant safety.

Features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, ISOFIX and multi-collission brake. No autonomous safety features just yet which you do see in the Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue and Kia Syros.

Style

The Skoda Kylaq’s styling is typically European, meaning the design is clean, doesn’t feature too many cuts or character lines and will age well.

The front end sports Skoda’s new design language, making the Kylaq the first Skoda in India with the headlights placed below the LED day-time running lights. 

The side profile is highlighted by rather large but not functional roof rails and a sporty-looking set of 17-inch alloy wheels. With 189mm of unladen ground clearance, even the most menacing speed breakers can be dealt with in peace.

The rear end will invite comparisons with the Hyundai Exter or Renault Kwid though. Ultimately, the Kylaq does look small at first glance and while its rivals have designs that go a little extra in one regard or the other to grab more attention, the Kylaq champions subtlety, which does have its own audience.

It’s also a look that will appeal to those who have aspirations of Euro car ownership. 

Sum-Up

The Skoda Kylaq does in many ways offer the Kushaq’s experience on a slightly smaller and more affordable scale. It’s a great cabin for 4 with the right dose of practicality and features to drive the feeling of a good deal. Its USP, however, is not its features-set or interior. It’s how it drives and how enjoyable it is from behind the wheel. While we insist on test driving any car before buying it, here, we’d insist on a longer than usual test drive to experience what a good driving car feels like.

The challenge, however, remains whether enough buyers out there care enough about driving dynamics and personality in performance to give it weightage over a heavier features list or more feel good factor in the cabin.