Skoda Auto India has just announced that the newly launched Skoda Kylaq sub-compact SUV has received a 5-star crash safety rating from Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupant protection. The compact SUV achieved a score of 30.88 out of 32 points in adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 points in child occupant safety. The Kylaq’s crash test ratings establish it as the highest-performing ICE-powered sub-four-metre SUV in BNCAP’s testing history so far. It’s worth mentioning that, when Skoda revealed the full price list, the brand was confident of nothing less than a 5-star safety rating. The Bharat NCAP conducted tests on the top-spec Kylaq Prestige model paired with a manual transmission, but the ratings apply to all variants of the Skoda Kylaq range, which includes the Classic, Signature, and Signature+.
As per the report by BNCAP, in AOP the protection for the driver’s head, neck, and right leg was rated as good. However, during the frontal offset barrier test, the driver’s chest area received an adequate rating. For the front passenger, protection was rated good across the head, neck, chest, and legs. The Kylaq achieved 15.04 out of 16.00 points in this assessment, and in the side deformable barrier tests, it scored 15.84 out of 16.00 points, providing good protection for the head and lower back, while receiving an adequate rating for the upper back. It also earned a “good” rating in the side pole impact test.
In COP, the SUV scored full marks in the dynamic test (24/24) and the CRS installation test (12/12), while scoring 9 out of 13 in the vehicle assessment test. Both the 18-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies were tested in rearward-facing child seats. The Kylaq is based on the brand’s MQB-A0-IN platform and measures less than four metres in length. The new model will compete with already established rivals such as the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, and Maruti Suzuki Brezza. The Kylaq measures 3,995 mm in length, 1975 mm in width, 1575 mm in height and has a 2,566 mm wheelbase with a ground clearance of 189 mm.
Talking about the engine and gearbox, the Kylaq is offered with a a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol engine with 115 hp of power and 178 nm of torque. Gearbox options will include a 6-speed torque converter and a 6-speed manual gearbox. The same engine also does the duty in the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, VW Virtus and Taigun.
In terms of features, the Kylaq comes packed. It’s offered with an 8.0-inch fully digital cluster, 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, connected car tech, powered both front seats, 2-spoke steering wheel, semi-leatherette seat upholstery, single-pane sunroof, ventilated seats, ambient lighting, and a six-speaker Canton sound system. Safety-wise, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, three-point seatbelts for all occupants, a reverse parking camera with sensors and more.
