This Little SUV Accounts For 2 Out Of 3 Skodas Sold In India

Two out of three Skodas wear the same badge

Walk into a Skoda showroom this year and chances are the model you’ll see most people test driving is the Kylaq. The compact SUV has become the backbone of Skoda India’s business.

From January to September 2025, the Kylaq sold 34,500 units out of Skoda’s total 53,355, which means nearly 65 percent of all Skodas sold in India carry this badge. Put simply, two out of every three Skodas going to new homes are Kylaqs.

Quarterly sales highlight the trend. The first three months of 2025 saw 10,205 Kylaq units sold. That jumped to 13,509 in April to June, the model’s best quarter so far. But sales dipped to 10,786 between July and September as buyers held off amid uncertainty over vehicle taxes. Even so, it remained Skoda’s top-seller by a wide margin.

Sticker shock, in reverse

The slowdown in Q3 was tied to policy. Buyers and dealers waited for clarity on the revised GST rates on cars, which took effect on 22 September 2025. Skoda responded by cutting prices.

The Kylaq became cheaper by up to ₹1.19 lakh, with the revised sticker starting at ₹7.55 lakh and going up to ₹12.80 lakh, ex-showroom. For many buyers who had been waiting for discounts, the price cut itself became the deal.

The SUV sweet spot

Compact SUVs are where the action is. Between January and August this year, this segment alone accounted for 48 percent of all utility vehicles sold in India. Out of 1.85 million UVs sold in that period, compact SUVs made up around 892,000 units. Skoda’s heavy reliance on the Kylaq is in line with this larger market trend. Families that earlier bought premium hatchbacks are now stepping up to compact SUVs instead.

What buyers are really getting

The Kylaq’s basics are straightforward. Power comes from a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 115 hp and 178 Nm. It has a claimed top speed of 188 kph and fuel efficiency figures of 19.05 kpl in the city and 19.68 kpl on the highway. The numbers put it firmly in the everyday-use category, which is what many buyers want from their main car.

Safety ratings have also influenced purchase decisions. The Kylaq carries a five-star Bharat NCAP score, with 30.88 out of 32 for adult safety and 45 out of 49 for child safety. In a segment where many models compete on features lists, these crash-test results add weight in family discussions before signing the cheque.

Owners highlight the suspension setup, stability at speed, and overall solid feel of the cabin. Back-seat comfort and ease in city driving come up often too. These impressions line up with our experience during the first drive, and explain why the model attracts both first-time SUV buyers and those upgrading from hatchbacks.

Skoda’s big bet

Skoda wants to build on this momentum. The company has indicated it is aiming for Kylaq sales to touch 8,000 units per month by the end of 2025. Production capacity on the MQB-A0-IN platform has been set up for higher volumes. Whether or not that monthly target is met, one fact is clear. For now, if you see a new Skoda on Indian roads, odds are strong it’s a Kylaq.