Skoda has announced the full prices and variant-wise details of the Kylaq and we’re more impressed than ever. The experts at Skoda has packaged the product well and placed it better. The pricing goes from 7.89 lakh to 14.40 lakh for the top-spec. There are four variants available: Classic, Signature, Signature+, and Prestige. The base-spec Classic variant has the most competitive pricing and sees no compromise in kit levels due to the same. In a recent interview with Autocar, Skoda top hat Petr Janeba said that the base-spec Kylaq has everything that a customer needs except one feature. Wondering what? Read ahead to find out…
Base-Spec Kylaq Classic Has All Things Necessary
The variant-wise distribution of features and technologies has been done carefully on the SUV. Even the base-variant comes decently kitted, unlike some rivals which skimp dramatically in kitting base variants. Since Skoda has been known for being an expensive brand to own, and one that prices its products at a premium over its rivals, it wouldn’t be unusual for us to expect it to compromise on equipment and tech offered on the entry-spec.
It turns out the base variant is attractively packaged. It gets Black fabric upholstery, a Black- Off White cabin colourway and 16-inch Steel wheels with full covers. The exterior gets Škoda Crystalline LED Headlamps, LED Daytime Running Lights and Škoda Crystalline LED Tail lamps. There are roof rails and rear parking sensors too.
Inside the cabin, the Classic variant comes with a manual AC ( higher variants get climate control), (manual) height adjustment for the driver’s seat, front and rear door armrests, LED reading lamp, electrically adjustable ORVMs, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 12V power socket, adjustable headrests for all seats, and more.
The safety suite consists of 6 Airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS, EBD, ESC, TCS, brake disc wiping and more. There are a total of 25+ safety features on the base variant of the SUV.
In addition to these, Skoda has also given 4 speakers, a radio antenna and other parts of the ecosystem for an infotainment system. The only thing missing here is an infotainment system or head unit.
Now this might sound like ‘almost everything an average customer needs’, and the Skoda brand director is just the same. He says the only thing missing is the infotainment system. Customers can easily spec their base cars with aftermarket infotainment systems or could get a Skoda unit as an accessory. This should suffice for most buyers.
However, this doesn’t mean that the Classic variant would come with things like powered and ventilated front seats and sunroof. The Brand Director’s words are to be analysed carefully- ‘ everything you need’ and not ‘everything you desire’. Features like the sunroof continue to be aspirational and are limited to the top-spec variant alone, at launch. Other Prestige-exclusive features include paddle shifters, larger 17-inch alloy wheels and ambient lighting.
If you could recollect, some of its rivals ( like the Tata Punch for instance) have the sunroof available on more than one variant, some of which have lower specs. Skoda seems to be aware of this too, and could likely make it available on more variants in the future. Not at launch!
So what other benefits do one get while buying the Kylaq Classic?
Well, the most important point is that they get an equal sense of solidity and safety as the top-spec. In styling, they are buying something that looks like the Skoda Kushaq- an already aspirational product. There is no change in power and torque in the base variant. It is powered by the same 1.0L TSI petrol engine that produces 115 hp and 178 Nm, as the Prestige variant. This deserves a mention, as many manufacturers tend to play around with the powertrain outputs between variants, these days.
Source: Autocar India
