Skoda Announces the Name for Its New 2025 Sub-4-Meter SUV: Skoda Kylaq

Skoda has officially revealed the name of its upcoming sub-4-metre SUV for the Indian market. The vehicle will be called Skoda Kylaq, pronounced as "Kai-Iak." This announcement marks Skoda's entry into the competitive sub-4-metre SUV segment, which includes rivals like the Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300, Kia Sonet, and Hyundai Venue. The Kylaq will be Skoda's third product under the India 2.0 program. 

What does Kylaq mean?

After much anticipation, Skoda has unveiled the name of its new sub-4-metre SUV — Skoda Kylaq. The name "Kylaq" is derived from the Sanskrit word for crystal, symbolizing the vehicle's pristine qualities and taking inspiration from Mt. Kailash.

The name was chosen through a naming contest organized by Skoda, where participants were invited to suggest names for the new SUV. Out of 10 shortlisted names, the final five were Kwiq, Kylaq, Kosmiq, Kliq, and Kayaq. Skoda's naming convention for its SUVs typically involves names starting with 'K' and ending with 'Q,' as seen in other models like Kushaq and Kodiaq.

Official Statement

During the name reveal, Petr Janeba, Brand Director of Skoda Auto India, shared insights into the company's vision:

"Our new compact SUV Kylaq is for the people of India. We wanted them to be part of every milestone of our biggest-ever launch in the country. The 'Name Your Skoda' campaign aimed at inculcating a sense of pride and belonging among participants and potential customers. The results are humbling, with over 200,000 entries."

Janeba further emphasized the importance of the naming process for Skoda, highlighting that the Kylaq represents a significant milestone in the rapidly growing subcompact SUV segment in India. The Kylaq was developed jointly by teams in India and Europe and will be locally manufactured.

Key Features of the Skoda Kylaq

Skoda SUVs are known for their sporty styling, and the Kylaq is expected to continue this tradition. The SUV will feature an athletic build with sharp lighting elements, curvy body panelling, polygonal housings for headlamps and fog lamps, and a prominent grille. It will have a tall profile and sporty alloy wheels, complemented by thick body cladding, conventional door handles, and roof rails.

Performance and Specifications

Under the hood, the Skoda Kylaq will be powered by a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, the same as in the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia. This engine produces 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque and will be available with a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Launch and Market Expectations

Following the name reveal, the Skoda Kylaq is expected to launch early next year, with the 2025 Bharat Mobility Expo likely to host the event. It will be interesting to see how the Kylaq competes with established players in the subcompact SUV segment and whether it can secure a spot among the top five subcompact SUVs in the market.