Skoda Kylaq SUV to be Unveiled on November 6

Skoda has officially announced the date of the Kylaq sub-compact SUV’s curtain raiser – November 6. Reports suggest that production will commence as early as next month at its plant in Chakan, Maharashtra. The SUV marks Skoda’s entry into the under-4-metre SUV segment as it aims to strengthen its presence in the domestic market.

Platform and Production Plans

Built on the modified version of the MQB-A0 IN platform – shared with the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia – the Kylaq promises to deliver a “big car” feel within its compact form factor. A monthly production of 4,000 to 6,000 units is planned, highlighting its commitment to meeting market demand.

Design and Aesthetics

The Kylaq will debut Skoda’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language in the country. Sporting a new grille with vertical slats, a split headlamp setup and sleek-looking LED tail lights, its design is expected to draw cues from the Skoda Elroq EV. Other notable design elements include refined DRL signatures and a hexagonal pattern on the side and rear.

What Does Kylaq Mean?

Crystal in Sanskrit, the name Kylaq reflects its pristine qualities and the brand’s focus on elegance. It also aligns with Skoda’s tradition of naming its cars with a ‘K’ prefix and a ‘Q’ suffix. The Czech carmaker had earlier shortlisted 10 names with entries coming from all over India and finalised the name in August 2024.

Performance and Features

Internal sources tell us that the SUV will be powered by the 1-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 113bhp and 178Nm of torque. Transmission duties will be taken care of by a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. For those not in the know, this TSI engine currently does duty in the Slavia and Kushaq. It is also shared with VW Group which uses it in the Virtus and Taigun. Using a tried-and-tested mill will save Skoda on research and development costs and help it price the SUV competitively.

In terms of features, the Kylaq will borrow cabin elements from its siblings – the Kushaq and Slavia – while also introducing new ones like a 360-degree camera and an advanced driver assistance system or ADAS suite. While the Slavia does have a 360-degree camera. no car in the current lineup of Skoda India features ADAS. Apart from these, it can boast up to 10-inch touchscreen size, ventilated seats, single-pane, digital instrument cluster, sunroof and paddle shifters (in AT variant).

Rivals

The sub-compact SUV space is populated by the likes of Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Brezza. Pricing will play an important role in determining the success of Kylaq here. 

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