Skoda Kailak: Can it make it into the highly competitive Indian sub-compact SUV segment

Skoda Kailak is the latest name making headlines in the Indian passenger vehicle market. Has been launched at a starting price of Rs. 7.89 lakh (ex-showroom), the Skoda Kylaq comes as the Volkswagen Group-owned Czech automaker attempts to capture a share of the Indian sub-compact SUV market, which has seen rapid growth over the past few years. The newly launched SUV competes with rivals like Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue.

The launch of the Kylaq in India shows how Skoda is desperate to step up its game in India. As an important part of Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 strategy, which is led by Skoda, the Kiloak has been trying to take advantage of the growing demand in the sub-four meter compact SUV segment over the past few years. However, despite Skoda bringing in the SUV at an aggressive price, it remains a question whether Skoda will be able to capture a larger share of the pie or not.

Skoda has set an ambitious target of selling 100,000 units of the Kylaq SUV by 2026. Clearly, the automaker is betting big on SUVs. Now, the question is, will the Skoda Kylaq be able to live up to the expectations in a market where consumers have become really demanding? Let’s take a quick look at what the Skoda Kylaq has to offer to see if it lives up to the expectations.

Skoda Kailak: Design

Based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which also underpins select Volkswagen siblings, the new Skoda Kylaq arrives as the brand’s smallest SUV to date. The Kylak introduces Skoda’s modern-sounding design language, which includes split headlamps, a boxy profile and short overhangs. The automaker’s signature butterfly grille continues in the modern iteration. Some other design elements include LED headlamps, LED DRLs, sharp bohemian crystal-influenced cuts and creases, 17-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, etc.

Skoda Kailak: Features

The Skoda Kailak comes with a spacious interior that is equipped with six-way electric seats with ventilation for the front row. Skoda says the cabin can be configured in a single or dual-tone theme. Select variants of the sub-compact SUV will be offered with an electric sunroof and Skoda is additionally offering the option of features like cruise control and leatherette seats. The boot size of the Skoda Kylak is 446 litres, which can be expanded to 1,265 liters by folding the rear seats. Other notable features inside the cabin of this SUV include a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SUV also gets an eight-inch digital cockpit instrument cluster that provides information about speed, tire pressure warning and cruise control.

Skoda Kailak: Powertrain

Powering the Skoda Kylak is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine available with transmission options of a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed torque converter automatic unit. The engine produces maximum power of 113 bhp and maximum torque of 178 Nm.