Skoda Kylaq: Skoda’s newest offering in the more-than-competitive Indian SUV segment, the Kylaq 350,Comes axle of Skoda’s most content attempt so far to win over the hearts and wallets of value-conscious buyers looking for the best of European engineering at not-so-silly money.
The compact SUV is a crucial player in Skoda’s India 2.0 offensive, and it aims to take on the likes of well-entrenched Asian manufacturers in the segment with some elegantly designed language and clever engineering solutions.
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Skoda Kylaq: Philosophy of Design- Precision in Crystalline Form
The Kylaq 350 carries off Skoda’s current design theme with aplomb, all sharp edges and geometric lines influenced by Czech crystal glassware.
It’s bold; the front fascia instantly stands out with a vertical slat grille bracketed by LED headlamps with crystalline elements and unique daytime running light signatures.
The hood features slight power domes to contribute to this play of light on its surface.
From the side, the Kylaq has effectively proportioned flanks, and a coupelike silhouette that doesn’t eat into rear headroom – an important criterion for the Indian market, where the backseat still holds sway.
The angle of the shoulder line also gradually rises as it goes rearward to create visual dynamism without a sense of aggressiveness. At 188mm, the ground clearance is at a sweet spot working well for both approach angles and stability during highway cruising.
The rear-end accentuates the sense of width thanks to the broad, expressively designed taillights, which – with Skoda’s typical C-shape C-shaped reflecting elements inside – appear to be particularly wide thanks to their horizontal layout.
The tailgates is clean with no extra clutter as the Skoda word written boldly across the centre of it. Subtle roof rails finish the crossover look and provide a stylish and yet practical point for fitting a bicycle rack, surfboard or any other equipment that requires carrying.
The choice of colours also speaks volumes about thoughtful consideration towards the tendencies of the Indian market and environment C and Nevada White and Carbon Steel has emerged hot favourites for it helps to hide the dust and other elements between clean-ups, reflective from ownership pattern in several Indian cities.
Cabin Feel: Thoughtful Materials
On the inside, meanwhile, the Kylaq 350 highlights Skoda’s long held belief in practical ergonomics and surpassing segment stipulations when it comes to material quality.
And, inside, the dash is a layered affair with contrast stitching and soft-touch materials in important areas where occupants are likely to touch, and harder-wearing materials in places where scuffs could occur.
Center of the dashboard is a new 10.1-inch freestanding infotainment screen with wireless smartphone integration and connected car tech.
Physical controls also exist for climate functions – a sensible choice that recognises the difficulties of using a touchscreen on India’s often-novelike roads.
The driver is also treated to a digital instrument cluster with several display configurations you can select from depending on your taste and your driving mode.
Comfort has been a focus where the Notchback is concerned, with the front seats providing European-style long-distance support as opposed to too-soft cushioning in some of their competitors.
Clever packaging of the transmission tunnel allows for almost flat floor in the rear bench while the middle seat position is totally useable for a pair of adult passengers on shorter trips.
Rear AC vents with independent blower control appreciate the challenges of hot climates such as in India and the USB-C in every corner of the vehicle meets charging needs of today.
Storage is everywhere inside, from the Skoda front-door-boutique brolly compartments to the reversible boot floor (carpet one side, washable plastic the other) that gives versatiliy depending on the load.
Boot volume grows from 385 liters to 1,405 liters with the seats down – not bad numbers that put the Kylaq on the more practical side of crossovers.
Powertrains: Economy or Performance Cut to the Chase, Fun To Drive.
The Kylaq 350 debuts with two powertrain systems for differing driver needs. The lower end of the scale come equipped with a small 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 115bhp and 178Nm of torque –
while these might not sound like much on paper, in practice it feels relatively nippy given that the car only weighs around 1,150 kilograms.
More powerful versions, meanwhile, gain a 150hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that is better suited for overtaking on the highway and cruising at higher speeds.
The car and the T-Roc uses direct injection, and cylinder deactivation technology which, in turn, gives out fuel economy figures which certainly for a car in its class are quite flattering, 18-19 km per liter for the 1.0 TSI and 16-17 for the 1.5 TSI on mixed driving conditions.
Gearbox choices are between a sweet-shifting 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with steering wheel paddles for manual control when the mood takes you.
Front-wheel drive is standard throughout the lineup, with Skoda adopting an honest approach by focusing its efforts on-road and on the balance between usability and dynamic performance off it – a refreshing alternative for a class that sees a surprisingly small number of owners put their mud-plugging abilities to the test.
Behind the Wheel: Smooth European Ride
On the move, the Kylaq 350 remains the cool and unstressed riding partner that’s a Skoda trademark. Sprung via MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear – a budget-friendly formula that is surprisingly so sophisticated across so many surfaces.
Damping itself has been given specific emphasis, with the suspension absorbing the hits over rough surfaces yet retaining good body control when more spirited driving is called upon.
The steering is properly light at parking lot speeds and provides enough of a reassuring weight at highway velocities. NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) management shines as an example of holistic engineering and the reduction of wind noise both around the A pillars and mirrors (a perennial trouble-spot in this price bracket) are given an almost clinical focus.
And the four-wheel discs bring safe, sure stopping thanks to a brake/vacuum booster that delivers a precise pedal feel.
Electronic stability control and hill-hold assist are standard throughout the range, with higher-spec cars gaining features like multi-collision braking and driver fatigue detection.
Integrating technology: Utilising appropriate innovation
Technology-wise, the Kylaq 350 is all about daily usability rather than gimmicks that make headlines. The Skoda Play infotainment system includes wireless smartphone integration, intuitive natural voice control, and over-the-air updates to ensure the vehicle is future-proof.
The connected car features include remote climate pre-conditioning, checking the vehicle status and geofencing alerts from an exclusive smartphone application.
Safety Safety tech is six airbags, ESC and ISOFIX child-seat anchor mounts as standard. More- expensive versions add features such as automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance; advanced driver aids once practically unknown at this price.
Skoda Kylaq: Market Positioning And Value Propostion
The Kylaq 350 will present a strong competition to the existing competitors such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Although it isn’t the cheapest against some of its Asian rivals, rather than sheer feature-count, the value is found in European engineering, the right ergonomics and great driving dynamics.
Better after-sales support and clear service packages mitigate earlier fears of ownership expenses, and there’s no arguing with Skoda’s 4-year/100,000km warranty, indicative of its belief in the product’s long term robustness.
For those looking for an unusual but sensible alternative to mass market options, the Kylaq 350 is a strong argument with its combination of design, technology and driving fun.
