Skoda Kylaq price, size and specs compared with rivals

Skoda India has taken the wraps off the Kylaq and revealed its starting price of Rs 7.89 lakh. With the Skoda Kylaq, the Czech carmaker has forayed into the heavily populated compact SUV segment taking on the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The compact SUV space is the largest sub-segment in the Indian market, comprising more than 50 percent of all SUV sales.

The Kylaq is an important model for Skoda, positioned right in the heart of the market. Here, we are looking at how it compares with its rivals on paper in terms of price, size and specs.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals dimensions

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals: dimensions
Model	Kylaq	Nexon	Brezza	XUV 3XO	Venue	Sonet	Magnite	Kiger
Length (mm)	3995	3995	3995	3990	3995	3995	3994	3991
Width (mm)	1783	1804	1790	1821	1770	1790	1758	1750
Height (mm)	1619	1620	1685	1647	1617	1642	1572	1605
Wheelbase (mm)	2556	2498	2500	2600	2500	2500	2500	2500
Ground clearance (mm)	189	208	-	201	-	-	205	205
Boot space (litres)	360	382	328	364	-	385	336	405*
Wheel size (inch)	17	16	16	17	16	16	16	16

*Without parcel tray

At 3,995mm in length, the Kylaq fits just under the sub-4m mark to be in line with most other compact SUVs, although the XUV 3XO, Kiger, and Magnite are slightly shorter. Overall, the Kylaq sits in the middle of its rivals on nearly every metric, barring wheelbase length and wheel size. Skoda's compact SUV has the second-longest wheelbase, at 2,556mm, after the XUV 3XO which also gives the XUV 3XO best-in-class cabin space, comfortably accommodating three individuals in the rear, while the others are best reserved for two adults. Therefore, the Kylaq is expected to have more interior space than most of its rivals, if not the XUV 3XO.

The Kylaq and XUV 3XO also have the largest alloys wheels on offer, and have comparable boot spaces. It is the Sonet and the Nexon that boast the largest boots here – having having 380-plus litres – while Tata's compact SUV also claims the highest ground clearance, at 208mm.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals engine and specs

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals: engine specifications
Model	Kylaq	Nexon	Brezza	XUV 3XO	Venue	Sonet	Magnite	Kiger
Type	3 cyls turbo	3 cyls turbo	4 cyls NA	3 cyls turbo/3 cyls turbo	4 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo	4 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo	3 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo	3 cyls NA/3 cyls turbo
Displacement	999cc	1199cc	1462cc	1197cc/1197cc (TGDi)	1197cc/998cc	1197cc/998cc	999cc/999c	999cc/999c
Power	115hp	120hp	103hp	111hp/131hp	83hp/120hp	83hp/120hp	72hp/100hp	72hp/100hp
Torque	178Nm	170Nm	137Nm	200Nm/230Nm	114Nm/172Nm	114Nm/172Nm	96Nm/160Nm	96Nm/160Nm
MT gearbox	6MT	5MT/6MT	5MT	6MT/6MT	5MT/6MT	5MT/6iMT	5MT	5MT
AT gearbox	6AT	6AMT/7DCT	6AT	6AT	7DCT	7DCT	5MT, CVT	5MT, CVT

The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 115hp and 178Nm of torque. From the other Skoda-VW cars that this engine does duty in, along with our drive in a prototype, we know it is responsive, relatively refined, and delivers strong acceleration. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.

The Kylaq comes with a single engine whereas most of its competitors offer at least two options. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it’s more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals, but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV 3XO, with the 131hp, TGDi engine, remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it's the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.

It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza and the Nexon are the only models in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit.