Skoda Kylaq Long Term Review, July 2025 Report - New Kid on the Block

When I first drove the Kylaq way back in January, my impressions of Skoda’s new SUV were overwhelmingly positive. For starters, the pricing was spot on. With a starting price of `8.25 lakh (ex-showroom), it brought a mid-level luxury brand to a much larger base of customers. But most importantly, I loved how it drove. At the time, I actually felt that it was simply the best driving SUV in the sub-4 metre segment, thanks to its sharp steering, responsive engine, ample power, and well-balanced suspension setup. So, naturally, when Skoda sent over a long-term car, I was eager to see if my initial impressions would hold up over extended use.

After spending more time with the Kylaq, I can safely say my first instincts were largely correct. It drives brilliantly, both in city traffic and on the highway. Its compact size also makes it easy to park and manoeuvre through traffic. The dashboard and other materials in the cabin are quite decent. The surfaces inside could be a touch better, but what’s great is that even after more than 10,000 km, there isn’t a single squeak or rattle. That’s exactly what you’d expect from Skoda, even in their entry-level product, which is what the Kylaq is. Moreover, it also feels pretty solidly built – something that can’t be said for all its competitors.

Our long-term car is the top-of-the-line Prestige AT, loaded with every bell and whistle and fitted with an automatic gearbox. I specifically wanted this variant because, as Skoda India’s new chief, Ashish Gupta, recently pointed out, Skoda has the highest share of automatics among mass-market brands in India. While most manufacturers see 20 – 25% of their sales coming from automatics, Skoda’s figure is closer to 45%.

The Kylaq doesn’t get a dual-clutch DSG, but its six-speed torque converter is a revelation. Whether crawling through stop-go traffic or blasting down the highway, the gearbox is quick, smooth, and even works impressively well in manual mode via the paddles. The only issue I have with the gearbox is that in standard drive mode, it can feel a bit lazy and reluctant to upshift – perhaps it’s tuned this way for better fuel efficiency. Thankfully, switching to Sport mode sharpens its responses dramatically.

As I continue to live with the Kylaq, my next goal is to see what kind of real-world fuel economy it delivers with my driving style. You hear all sorts of claims about this 1.0-litre engine, so it’ll be interesting to find out what numbers it actually returns.