Aug 25, 2025: Skoda India's fortunes have changed dramatically as a result of the Kylaq sub-4 meter SUV, which has firmly established the brand in the compact SUV spotlight and more than doubled sales in the first seven months. Skoda has sold 27,091 Kylaqs since deliveries began on January 27, 2025. This represents 65 percent of the 41,748 vehicles the automaker sold between January and July 2025. The Kylaq also helped Skoda achieve its highest-ever monthly sales in March 2025, selling a record 7,422 units, and has helped more than double its sales from 17,565 units (January-July 2024) to 41,748 units (January-July 2025).

According to Ashish Gupta, brand director for Skoda Auto India, the Kylaq entered a market that accounts for nearly 30% of the industry's total volume. “The Kylaq combines everything that Skoda customers in India have come to value, including a sturdy construction, safety, European design and engineering, and excellent driving dynamics. Even before the official launch, we saw strong interest from across the country,” he said. "It has assisted us in moving four positions to number 7 in terms of sales in the Indian automotive industry." Auto analysts told FE that competitive pricing and a wide variant range have helped Skoda tap a large customer base. There are seven Kylaq models to choose from, each with a manual or automatic gearbox. An analyst stated, "Automatic variants are available for Rs 10.95 lakh to Rs 13.99 lakh, ex-showroom, and their prices range from Rs 8.25 lakh to Rs 12.89 lakh." "These are very reasonable prices for a dependable European SUV with ample space for a small family. A reason Skoda has been able to price it so competitively is high localisation, possibly to the tune of 96%.”

In addition, according to Gupta, demand for automatic transmissions is higher in urban areas, whereas tier-3 centers favor a combination of manual and automatic transmissions. The Kylaq offers a compelling combination of features typically found in more expensive segments, such as spaciousness, safety, and comfort. This makes it particularly appealing to first-time buyers and Skoda customers from smaller towns, where Skoda had been relatively underrepresented. This is another reason why the Kylaq has been successful. Brand promotion, including celebrity endorsements – actor Ranveer Singh became the brand ambassador of the Kylaq on February 20, 2025 – further boosted its desirability.
However, even though the Kylaq is doing well, it may not be selling as well as other, slightly more expensive Skoda models. Skoda's other SUVs will be affected by Kylaq sales: For instance, sales of the slightly bigger Kushaq SUV (from Rs 10.99 lakh to Rs 19.09 lakh) have dropped from 1,371 units in January to just 901 units in July, and those of the Slavia sedan (from Rs 10.49 lakh to Rs 18.33 lakh) have dropped from 1,510 units in January to 1,168 units in July.

However, Gupta stated that sales of other Skoda vehicles, such as the Kushaq, have not been affected by the Kylaq. "We have always been very clear about where the Kylaq and the Kushaq are positioned." While they share the same Skoda DNA, they cater to different customer needs,” he said. “Younger families looking for a sporty sub-4-meter SUV at a great price will like the Kylaq. The Kushaq, on the other hand, is for buyers looking for a different set of features, and a choice of varied engines and transmissions.”

Another important factor in Skoda's recent success is the expansion of its national sales and service network to nearly 300 locations. Skoda vehicles are now more accessible to a wider Indian audience thanks to this network expansion, competitive pricing, and product localization. In summary, while the Kushaq – launched in 2021 – laid the foundation for Skoda’s resurgence with its premium performance, it is the Kylaq’s strong market fit that has propelled the brand into a new era of growth and relevance in one of the world’s most dynamic auto markets.