Ford EcoSport and Jeep Compass owner test drives a Skoda Kylaq

Did test drives of both the AT (in Signature+variant) and the manual (in Prestige variant). Though the drives were short (about 5 kms each), but enough to form an opinion

BHPian Harjot37 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Key points:

• AT should be the preferred 'box for this car, as you won't find the shifts of the manual pleasurable at all (I myself have been driving manuals since I was 18).
• Suspension is superb! More comfortable than both our stablemates (EcoSport and Compass, both diesels), but a driver's car nonetheless. Clutch is definitively light, but the travel is long.
• Steering is one-finger light. Loved twirling it. However, can't comment on high-speed behaviour of the same, due to the short, city-bound TD offered.
• The stalks feel good to touch, but not-so-good to operate. They're not clickity-click, also not damped, nor flimsy. How do I say this, but they lack a distinct character? I don't know. Maybe I'm getting too much into it.
• On the topic, why did Skoda have to place the cruise controls on the stalks? Could've been integrated in the switches on the steering wheel, of which one is a blank, and one is configurable (supposedly).
• AC is effective. Would need to get used to the touch-based panel, though not as much of a hassle as the blower and temperature can be controlled by tapping at the ends, which are indented.
• Strictly a 4- seater, with the rear seat being a compromise (too upright, cupped). I'm 5'-9", by the way. And also, the headrests can only be adjusted to two positions - max and min (!!!). Really messes with our turbans, sitting hunch-backed, with the headrest interfering as it is.
• The front seats are comfortable, sufficiently adjustable, but the lumbar support is lacking. Easy to find your ideal driving position, with the aid of the rake- and reach-adjustable steering wheel. ORVMs are small but sufficient.
• That said, the leatherette interiors are better than the fabric ones, as the fabric is a bit scruffy (felt so on the central armrest). The rear cabin lights have flimsy switches, and so is the roofliner.
• The official review says that it's a sporty-sounding engine Sounds like an autorickshaw. Should've been better insulated. And what's with the horn? Another thing that reminded me of three-wheelers!
• While the car gets the basics right on the top model (someone should give an earful to the car companies for not providing a rear wiper-washer right from the base model itself), I do find the sunroof a major sore point of the top variant- it eats into the headroom a lot, and provides no tangible benefit at all. And, yes, the Signature+ variant has bad-looking DRLs. Poor, poor quality reversing camera, no dynamic guides. I'd rather have this abomination removed!
• The speakers are decent. Comparable to the ones on our EcoSport.

Still holding onto my booking, as I don't think there's a better driver-focused car in this segment (I affectionately call it a mini-Compass just for the features and driveability). And of course, because of my bias towards Skoda.

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