Skoda India has taken the wraps off the Kylaq and revealed its starting price of Rs 7.89 lakh. With the Kylaq, the Czech carmaker has forayed into the heavily populated compact SUV segment, taking on the likes of the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO. The compact SUV space is the largest sub-segment in the Indian market, comprising more than 50 percent of all SUV sales.

The Kylaq is an important model for Skoda, positioned at the heart of the market. Here, we are looking at how it compares with its rivals on paper in terms of price, size, and specs.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals dimensions

At 3,995mm in length, the Kylaq fits just under the sub-4m mark to be in line with most other compact SUVs, although the XUV 3XO, Kiger, and Magnite are slightly shorter. Overall, the Kylaq sits in the middle of its rivals on nearly every metric, barring wheelbase length and wheel size. Skoda's compact SUV has the second-longest wheelbase, at 2,556mm, after the XUV 3XO, which offers the best-in-class cabin space. The XUV 3XO comfortably accommodates three individuals in the rear, while the others are best reserved for two adults. Therefore, the Kylaq is expected to have more interior space than most of its rivals, if not the XUV 3XO.

Skoda Kylaq vs rivals engine and specs

The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 115hp and 178Nm of torque. From the other Skoda-VW cars that this engine does duty in, along with our drive in a prototype, we know it is responsive, relatively refined, and delivers strong acceleration. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.

The Kylaq comes with a single engine, whereas most competitors offer at least two options. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it's more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV 3XO, with the 131hp TGDi engine, remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it's the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.

It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV 3XO, Venue, and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than the majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza and the Nexon are the only models in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Skoda Kylaq price

Skoda has yet to reveal the full price list of the Kylaq, though it has confirmed that the entry-level Classic trim will be priced at Rs 7.89 lakh. With prices expected to rise to about Rs 14 lakh for the top-spec Prestige automatic variant, the Kylaq is expected to be well-priced compared to rivals like the Nexon, Brezza, XUV 3XO, Venue and Sonet. However, the Magnite and Kiger continue to be the most affordable compact SUVs on sale in India. 

Also see:

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The fourth-gen Maruti Dzire is quite a departure from its predecessors in a lot of ways. Through the generations, this compact sedan has been based on the Swift hatchback, sharing the same chassis and powertrain options, among many other bits. However, with the latest-gen, there are quite a few differences between the two models, which is why this is going to be an in-depth comparison, on paper, between the new Dzire and Swift.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift design

As mentioned above, the new Dzire has a distinct design when compared to the Swift, sharing almost nothing with the hatchback. The compact sedan looks more premium with its Audi-esque styling in the front, a smoother roofline, and the notchy boot.

In terms of size, the new Dzire is 5mm taller and 135mm longer, with the latter explaining the compact sedan's ability to carry an additional 117 litres worth of luggage in the boot. Interestingly, the base versions of both models weigh the same 920kg, while the higher versions of the Dzire, especially the CNG-equipped variants, weigh up to 35kg more.

It should be noted that the Swift comes with three dual-tone exterior colours – Sizzling Red with Midnight Black, Luster Blue with Midnight Black and Pearl Arctic White with Midnight Black – and six monotone options. Meanwhile, the Dzire gets a total of seven exterior finishes with no dual-tone options.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift interior

On the inside, the new Dzire and Swift are far more closely linked. In fact, they have nearly identical dash layouts, from the size and shape of the side AC vents to the centrally mounted floating touchscreen. However, the compact sedan’s cabin gets a brighter beige and grey finish compared to the hatchback’s all-black one. In addition, the chrome strip that runs the length of the Dzire’s dashboard gets a kink near the central AC vents, which also has a marginally different trapezoidal design.

Coming to the features on offer in their respective range-topping forms, the Dzire comes with a longer list. Kit available on the Dzire that's not available on the Swift is a powered sunroof and a 360-degree camera. The rest of the features are identical, from the rear AC vents and climate control system to the 9-inch touchscreen, analogue dials and coloured MID.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift engine

True to form, the new Dzire and Swift share the same Z12E three-cylinder petrol engine. The 1.2-litre unit produces the same 82hp and 112Nm of torque on petrol, 69.75hp and 101.8Nm of CNG, and comes with 5-speed manual and AMT options. Interestingly, while the heavier Dzire in petrol form is marginally less frugal than the Swift, the Dzire CNG goes 0.88km further on a kilo of gas than its hatchback counterpart.

New Maruti Dzire vs Swift price

For now, prices of the Dzire start Rs 30,000 higher than the Swift, which isn’t too much of a difference. Dzire AMT variants cost about Rs 50,000 more than the equivalent Swift variant, with the range-topping compact sedan being priced Rs 69,000 higher. Meanwhile, prices for the Dzire CNG are about Rs 54,000-64,000 higher than the Swift CNG’s.

Do note that prices for the Dzire are introductory, and will increase from January 2025. On paper then, the new Dzire seems to be quite a proposition when compared to the Swift. For not too much more money, the Dzire offers a more mature aesthetic and a longer list of features, along with being the more frugal model in CNG form.

Also see:

New Maruti Dzire variant-wise features, trims and prices explained

Maruti Dzire new vs old: price, engine, features comparison

Maruti Swift long term review, 1,200km report

Ahead of its November 27 reveal, Honda India has teased the upcoming electric scooter for the first time. The teaser briefly gives us a glimpse at the scooter’s headlight, under which there’s a Honda logo. 

1. Headlight on Honda electric scooter is a LED unit
2. Design of headlight seems new, not shared with overseas Honda EVs

Honda electric scooter: Will it be called the Activa electric? 

Very little is known about the Honda electric scooter, which will be shown to us soon. From the teaser, all that can be made out is that this headlight is not shared with any overseas Honda electric scooter, those being the EM1 e: and the CUV e:. While the former has a claimed range of 48km, the latter can cover ‘over 70km’ on a single charge. 

It remains to be seen if Honda will repurpose one of its international electric scooters, and if it does so, which one exactly. Some years ago, the company also filed a few patent applications, which show an entirely new product, one that borrows some components from the popular Activa. 

Also See: Honda showcases electric scooter, e-bike concepts at EICMA 2024

Before the end of November, Royal Enfield will launch the Goan Classic 350, its fifth product on the J-series engine platform, following the Meteor, Classic, Hunter, and Bullet. The Goan Classic will be a funky-looking bobber-style motorcycle that will share most of its fundamentals with the Classic 350.

1. Riding position will be different from Classic 350’s
2. Will use the same engine as the other RE 350s
3. Could be the most expensive 350cc RE upon launch

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350: details

Since the Goan Classic will use the same 349cc single-cylinder engine as the rest of the RE 350s, its peak output will most likely stand at 20hp and 27Nm of torque. Even the Goan Classic’s main frame is likely to be the same as the Classic 350. The differences are likely to be in the styling, paint options, and riding position. 

Also See: Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin review: All-Time Classic?

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