Skoda to Launch Compact SUV ‘Kylaq’ in India Next Year, Set to Rival Maruti Brezza

Skoda India has announced the name of its upcoming compact SUV. The car will be called Skoda Kylaq and is set to be launched in the Indian market in 2025. The company shared this information today (August 21) through a teaser released on social media platform X.

Name Chosen Through ‘Name Your Skoda’ Campaign

Skoda initiated a campaign called ‘Name Your Skoda’, asking people to suggest a name that begins with ‘K’ and ends with ‘Q’. From the shortlisted names, Kylaq was selected. The campaign received two lakh entries, with over 24,000 unique names submitted, and Kylaq received the most votes. The name ‘Kylaq’ is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘crystal’.

Price Could Start at Rs 8.50 Lakh

Along with the name announcement, the company also teased the side profile of the SUV today, showcasing roof rails and wraparound tail lamps. The car’s price could start at Rs 8.50 lakh (ex-showroom). It will compete with the Maruti Brezza, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3OO, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger, and Nissan Magnite.

Based on MQB-A0-IN Platform

The SUV is being developed on the company’s MQB-A0-IN platform, the same platform used for the Kushaq and Slavia sedan. The company previously shared teasers of the Skoda Kylaq, revealing design elements like split headlamp design and LED DRLs.

Performance: Expected Kushaq Engine Setup

It is speculated that Skoda might provide a powertrain setup similar to the Kushaq in its new compact SUV. The Kushaq comes with a 1.0-liter TSI turbo-petrol engine that generates 115hp and 178Nm of torque. It is expected that the SUV will offer options for a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox with this engine.

Features: Safety and Technology

The Skoda Kylaq may come equipped with features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a fully digital driver display, ventilated front seats, a wireless phone charger, and a sunroof.

For safety, this compact SUV is expected to include 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).