A detailed look at the new Skoda Kylaq, with pictures & my thoughts

Overall, it's a step in the right direction, and Skoda hasn't left any major points unaddressed with the Kylaq.

BHPian MotorDev recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I checked out the Kylaq today. Test drives aren't available yet (I can't drive anyway ), but here are my thoughts:

Variant: Prestige 1.0L AT
Dealership: Mahavir Skoda, Vijayawada

What I liked:

• 5-star BNCAP rating
• Good quality materials inside
• Decent space at the front and back
• Packed with features like ventilated seats, LED headlamps, and a 10-inch infotainment system
• The audio system is impressive

What I didn’t like:

• Rear visibility is poor
• Doesn’t have a strong road presence
• Touchscreen UI feels flashy and aftermarket
• Dark upholstery makes the cabin feel cramped
• Top variants are overpriced by about Rs. 50k

Exterior impressions:

• The car lacks street presence and looks small, which might disappoint those looking for an SUV-like stance.
• 17-inch alloys look huge and suit the car well.
• One thing I appreciate is the minimal use of chrome, and the blacked-out trims on the exterior give it a sporty feel.
• The black trim at the rear, where the Skoda lettering is placed, feels out of place. They should've avoided it.
• Overall, the design is very Skoda-like, and that's a good thing. The car looks much more expensive than it actually is.

Interior impressions:

• In the front, space is well-managed with good headroom and footwell area.

• Pedals are placed well, and ergonomics are great.

• Rear visibility from the IRVM is poor, even with the rear headrests at their lowest position.

• The knee room was adequate for my height (5'10"), and there was enough headroom as well. Both should be fine for people up to 6 feet tall. However, the underthigh support is rather poor.

• Two 6-footers sitting one behind the other might feel cramped. 

• The front seats are comfortable and provide good support.

• The rear seat bolstering is suited for two adults and a child in between. Three adults in the back will be tight.

Impressions of interior materials and quality:

• Interior plastics feel solid with no gaps.

• The touchscreen housing and the plastic above the instrument cluster are tightly assembled, unlike in the Slavia.

• The armrest and door buttons are made of good quality and don't squeak.

Noteworthy points:

• Dark-colored upholstery makes the car feel claustrophobic.

• The touchscreen UI feels too flashy and aftermarket.

• The doors feel lighter than those of the Kushaq and Slavia but still have a solid heft.

• Boot space is huge, a big plus IMO.

• All seats have adjustable headrests and three-point seat belts.

• Six airbags are standard from the base variant.

Compared to the Slavia and Kushaq:

The Kylaq offers better quality materials inside. Spending extra on the Kushaq or Slavia isn’t worth it IMO, unless you really need the extra space and power. It has almost all the features of its bigger siblings. However, the top variant of the Kylaq is quite expensive on-road. If you're considering the top variant of the Kylaq, you should definitely check out the Signature variants of the Kushaq or Slavia with the 1.0L engine.

- There's plenty of headroom on offer.

-Knee room is sufficient. The front seat is adjusted to my driving position.

- LED headlamps and taillights are available from the base variant!

- The rear seat is suited for two adults and one child.

- This is the same steering offered in the Kodiaq, Slavia, etc.

- It has an auto-dimming IRVM.

- The car's silhouette resembles the Kushaq.

- The 17-inch alloy wheels look great.

Overall, it's a step in the right direction, and Skoda hasn't left any major points unaddressed with the Kylaq .

My rating for the Kylaq: 4/5

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.