You’ve got to doff your hat to Skoda for what it’s pulled off with the Kylaq. Sub-compact SUVs might be flooding the streets these days — they’re practically a dime a dozen — but one that feels properly thought through, genuinely complete, and effortlessly liveable? That’s rarer than hen’s teeth. The Kylaq doesn’t just join the crowd — it stands a cut above. It’s the kind of car that grows on you, quietly convincing you that this is the one you’ll want to hang on to for years to come. But what’s even more wonderful is that the Kylaq comes with a rather charming split personality. In true Skoda fashion, it’s not just beautifully engineered — it’s also, forgive the cliche, simply clever.
Now, Mumbai has been drowning in gloom and relentless downpours for the past month and a half, but my colleague Rushi hasn’t been fazed one bit. Why? Because ever since the Kylaq’s been on test with me, I’ve been chauffeuring him to work every single day. And those familiar with the Maximum City will know that commuting from Borivali to Dadar is nothing short of an expedition — one that inevitably involves at least 30 minutes of bumper-to-bumper traffic, and in this torrential downpour it becomes worse. But this is exactly where the Kylaq proves its mettle.
It’s the only car in its class to come with a proper torque converter automatic gearbox — just like you’d in cars that are a lot more expensive . Most rivals in this sub-compact SUV space make do with a CVT or, worse, an AMT — both of which deliver a driving experience that’s anything but comfortable or engaging. The Kylaq’s six-speed torque converter, however, is a delight. At city speeds, it shifts with creamy smoothness, completely eliminating the dreaded head toss and jerkiness that plague lesser gearboxes. And trust me, you’ll only truly appreciate that once you experience it firsthand — which I highly recommend you do.
Backing up that buttery gearbox is the Kylaq’s brilliantly tuned suspension. It does a superb job of ironing out all the imperfections that Mumbai’s roads throw at you — I particularly love the way it rounds off the sharper edges of potholes. That’s precisely why I found myself choosing the Kylaq for my daily commute for over three weeks straight. Even the TG camera crew — our insanely talented videographers and photographers — repeatedly requested the Kylaq for support car duties. Its generous 446-litre boot swallows up all their camera gear with ease, and that smooth gearbox makes it the perfect tracking car.
After living with the Kylaq in the city for a few weeks, I decided it was time to stretch its legs before handing it back. With my phone connected wirelessly to the crisp 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, I punched in my favourite driving road on Google Maps, and set off at dawn with a couple of colleagues in tow — both of whom were genuinely surprised at how well-equipped the Kylaq really is.
This isn’t just a smartly packaged SUV — it’s a properly feature-rich offering that caters to India’s ever-growing appetite for value and tech. You get the essentials, and then some: a sunroof, ventilated and powered front seats, wireless phone charging, a fully configurable digital cluster and a sound system that absolutely slaps. On the safety front, it gets ABS, ESP, 6 airbags standard across all variants, hill hold control and most importantly is the first sub-4m SUV to achieve full 5-stars in the Bharat NCAP safety crash test. It's the kind of spec list that makes you double-check the price tag, just to be sure you read it right.
Under the bonnet is Skoda’s familiar 1-litre TSI engine — the same unit that powers the Kushaq — putting out 113bhp and 178Nm of torque. But in the Kylaq, it feels noticeably more spirited. Thanks to its smaller footprint and lighter frame, the engine feels punchier, more responsive and surprisingly eager. There’s strong low-end grunt, a meaty mid-range, and it’ll rev clean through to the redline without protest. That said, we weren’t chasing lap times on this drive. Cruising at a relaxed 90kmph, the Kylaq returned an impressive 20kmpl on the highway — efficient, refined and fuss-free.
And where were we headed? Lonavala — because during the monsoons, it transforms into something out of a postcard. Think velvet green hills, veiled in mist, waterfalls at every corner and that sweet scent of wet earth. While it’s a magnet for tourists, driving enthusiasts know the real treat lies beyond — in the serpentine stretch leading up to Aamby Valley. It’s a road carved for cornering: a tight, technical mix of crests, cambered bends and hairpins. Perfect for testing a car’s poise and balance. And also a serene place to calm down amidst the best mother nature has to offer.
The Kylaq, built on the same MQB-A0 IN platform as the brilliant Slavia and Kushaq, had already proven its urban comfort. But out here, on a properly twisty road, it showcased an entirely different side. Agile, planted and composed — it danced through corners with grace and confidence. Spoiler alert: I ended up having a lot more fun than I’d expected.
At the base of the road that snakes up to Aamby Valley, I flicked the gearbox into Sport mode — and that’s when things got interesting. The transmission held onto revs longer, downshifted with intent, and let the engine sing all the way to the redline. It was as if the Kylaq had shaken off its city-slicker calm and slipped into something far more thrilling. The transformation was genuinely surprising — this torque converter ’box, often written off as just “comfortable,” proved it could play on the dynamic front too. Sure, we all love the lightning-fast DSGs that Skoda is known for, but this one held its own. Paired with the Kylaq’s well-sorted chassis, it made carving through the bends an absolute joy. So convinced was I, that I decided to put my money where my mouth is — and I’ve gone ahead and booked one. The Kylaq effortlessly handled the chaos of the city, kept my crew happy, and surprised me with its dynamic flair on winding hill roads. I’m genuinely glad I took that drive to Lonavala in the Kylaq. Despite the heavy rain and misty skies, it turned out to be one of the most memorable drives I’ve had in a long time — and my friends would wholeheartedly agree. The Kylaq proved to be the perfect monsoon companion. It didn’t just make the journey supremely comfortable, thanks to that slick-shifting torque converter, but it also gave me the escape I was craving. It reminded me why I love this season — the smell of wet earth, the rolling green hills, the drama of the rain — and why the right car can turn any getaway into something truly special.
In a world where most compact SUVs feel like compromises stitched together with buzzwords, the Kylaq feels refreshingly honest. It doesn’t try too hard, yet manages to tick all the right boxes — comfort, capability, quality, and charisma. It’s proof that smart engineering and good design still have a place in an increasingly gimmick-driven segment. Now, as I wait for delivery day with the impatience of a kid waiting for summer break, I know one thing for sure — this isn’t the end of my story with the Kylaq. It’s just the beginning.
