Skoda Kylaq long term review | Wrap up

After 2,254km with the Skoda Kylaq, our long-term test comes to an end. Its sharp handling, engaging manual gearbox and premium appeal impressed us, but there were a few compromises.

Model Prestige+ MT

Test started: July 2026/2,198km
Current ODO reading: 4,452km
Total mileage: 2,254km
Overall efficiency: 11.5kmpl

The Kylaq has been one of the most interesting cars in the fleet in a long time. It has the looks, derived from more premium Skodas, the design is contemporary yet modern with its rather slim aesthetic cues and is one of the best looking cars in the segment. This design however doesn’t translate very well to road presence, as the Kylaq feels more like a raised hatch than a sub-4m SUV, and this does push away those customers looking to upgrade to the segment based on size. Personally, the Kylaq is one of the rare cars that looks like the design is really well thought of, and despite the presence of split headlamps, it is very rare that it looks radical, somehow Skoda’s aesthetic binds it all together well. Inside the Kylaq feels even more like it isn’t meant to compete with the market leaders, instead it focuses on key pillars of simplicity and driver focus. Being all dark, it does feel a bit cramped, but the overall level of fit and finish is good. The infotainment with its rounded style and the slim steering with scroll controls is one of the finest executions in the segment, and I would only want the driver’s display to get an upgrade as its small, and the theme a bit boring. Skoda didn’t miss out on any features, it gets wireless smartphone integration, ventilated seats, powered front seats, and what not, but it could do with a larger sunroof, and seats that feel a bit more comfortable and a more powerful audio system. Our Kylaq came with the best combination – the 6-speed manual, and this is a great powertrain. For the small size of the SUV, the 1.0 works great if one is trying to fly through traffic or drive in the mountains, but it does start to feel a bit inadequate on the highways, missing out on the top end. The gearbox while great for enthusiastic driving is a bit annoying in the city conditions, gears are short, and if not in the power band, the engine takes its own sweet time to get that turbo boost. One can avoid these issues by simply choosing the automatic, but the Kylaq being an enthusiast choice, I doubt there are a lot of takers. Kylaq is way more fun than it should be, the steering is scalped sharp, the chassis is taut and while this does mean a crashy low speed ride, the stiffness pays dividends at higher speeds and attacking corners. The Kylaq isn’t an efficient car, with the 45-litre tank generally returning 450km on a single tank.

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