Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO comparison – Introduction

The compact SUV section continues to develop, and the most recent entrant on this tightly contested house is the Skoda Kylaq. It gives the whole lot we appreciated concerning the Skoda Kushaq in a smaller and extra reasonably priced bundle, so the query is: how does it stack up in opposition to the winner of our final compact SUV comparability, the Mahindra XUV 3XO?

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO exterior design and engineering

Kylaq appears proportionate and mature, whereas the 3XO is distinctive.

Let’s begin with the way in which they give the impression of being. Each fashions measure slightly below 4m in size, however the Kylaq appears extra proportionate. The vast signature entrance grille, break up headlamps and chunky bumper work properly to provide the Skoda a very good presence. Across the aspect, the 17-inch alloys, chunky cladding and roof rails add some flavour, whereas the fake scuff plate on the again offers it an outdoorsy look. Nevertheless, the small sq. tail-lights make it seem extra like a hatchback somewhat than a crossover.

XUV 3XO styling could not enchantment to everybody

As compared, the 3XO’s tail appears abruptly minimize off, because it’s based mostly on the 4m+ Ssangyong Tivoli. Like newer Mahindras, the 3XO has a polarising design, to say the least. Vertically oriented headlights, C-shaped daytime operating lamps and a sharply minimize bumper lend the 3XO its distinctive face. Just like the Skoda, the Mahindra additionally will get 17-inch rims, physique cladding and roof rails to additional its SUV look. The rear is characterised by a full-width LED gentle bar and a chunky bumper.

Total, the XUV does seem like the extra substantial of the 2, on condition that it’s the widest and has the longest wheelbase within the section. The XUV additionally has the benefit of 201mm floor clearance; the Kylaq’s is 189mm. Nevertheless, the Skoda does have an edge in relation to boot house, measuring 360 litres as much as the parcel shelf, whereas the Mahindra has a 295-litre capability. Each may also be expanded additional due to split-folding rear seats, although the Skoda has a deeper boot.

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO inside house and luxury

Kylaq inside is constructed powerful, however all-black scheme detract from sense of house

All-black theme with inexperienced trim offers Kylaq cabin a sporty vibe; high quality is stable.

These two additionally take a unique strategy on the within. The Kylaq, as anticipated, intently resembles the Kushaq, with shared parts just like the high-quality, 2-spoke steering wheel, digital instrument cluster and touch-based panel for local weather management. Nevertheless, Skoda has added some flash worth by giving it olive inexperienced inserts on the dashboard, door panels and centre console, together with a light-textured fascia. Total, the design is clear and uncluttered and has a stable construct, which is simply furthered by the reassuring ‘thud’ you get when closing the doorways.

It has a dual-tone theme, however the black upholstery could make you’re feeling hemmed in, particularly when in comparison with the XUV. It has a sensible inside, too, with massive doorbins, loads of cubbies, and a few usually Skoda ‘Merely Intelligent’ touches just like the cellphone slots on the entrance seatbacks, a ticket holder on the windshield, and extra.

Headroom and kneeroom are first rate, however it’s solely vast sufficient for 2.

The Kylaq’s entrance seats are higher on this firm, on condition that they provide higher assist and have electrical adjustment and air flow. However when it comes to the backseat, it falls behind the Mahindra. It has an ample quantity of legroom and headroom for average-sized adults, however the slim cabin and the seat contouring imply it’s best suited to two passengers. Rear occupants get their very own AC vents, Sort-C charging ports, adjustable headrests and a centre armrest with cupholders.

XUV 3XO cabin feels airier and extra premium

Appears and feels extra premium, due to soft-touch supplies and lightweight upholstery.

As compared, the XUV 3XO’s inside appears and feels extra upmarket. The sunshine-coloured upholstery uplifts the house, as does the panoramic sunroof, however the ivory seats shall be difficult to maintain clear. Prime-spec variations get a soft-touch end on the sprint; there’s a beneficiant use of gloss black, and parts just like the steering wheel, window switches and lightweight/wiper stalks really feel top-notch. It’s additionally good that the XUV will get bodily buttons and knobs for the dual-zone local weather management. Just like the Kylaq, the 3XO has loads of storage areas within the cabin, with massive doorbins, a good-sized cooled glove field, and extra.

XUV 3XO’s rear seat has extra room and may comfortably match three adults.

You’ll recognize the view you get out of the cabin from the XUV, and the bonnet flares provide the feeling that you simply’re driving an SUV. The entrance seats, despite the fact that they’re well-cushioned, aren’t as accommodating because the Kylaq’s, and also you’ll additionally miss that you simply don’t get electrical adjustment or air flow. Nevertheless it’s on the rear the place the Mahindra has essentially the most evident benefit. Owing to its width, three adults can sit comfortably within the XUV, and the lengthy wheelbase implies that legroom is loads, too. If something, accommodating the mechanism for the sunroof has eaten into headroom, however that’ll solely be a difficulty for these taller than 6 ft. Facilities on the again embrace AC vents, a centre armrest with cupholders, a 12V port and a USB Sort-C charger.

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO options and security

Talking of facilities, each fashions, in contrast right here of their top-spec kinds, are very well-equipped. Frequent options embrace LED headlamps, 17-inch alloys, a sunroof, a wi-fi charger, a digital instrument cluster, a touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi smartphone integration, leatherette upholstery, auto local weather management, six airbags, traction management and ISOFIX little one seat mounts. Commendably, each the Kylaq and XUV 3XO have a 5-star BNCAP score. Nevertheless, they each have options distinctive to them as properly.

Kylaq one-ups XUV 3XO with powered and ventilated entrance seats

Ventilated entrance seats distinctive to the Kylaq.

The Kylaq’s entrance seats have air flow and energy adjustment, which the XUV lacks, and we discovered the output from the Skoda’s 4-speaker and 2-tweeter audio system to be extra constant. The Skoda makes do with smaller 10-inch and 8-inch screens for the infotainment and cluster, respectively. Nevertheless, its display incorporates a newer UI in comparison with its stablemates, and on the entire, this technique is slick and has good graphics.

XUV 3XO will get Degree 2 ADAS, 360-degree digicam, rear disc brakes, and extra

3XO’s panoramic sunroof shall be an enormous draw.

Coming to the XUV 3XO, the AX7 L featured right here will get a bigger panoramic sunroof, bigger 10.25-inch screens, an digital parking brake, a 360-degree digicam, extra related tech, a 7-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, rear disc brakes, and Degree 2 ADAS (blind-spot monitor, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep help, and extra) over the Kylaq’s range-topping Status variant. The ADAS options work properly on a clearly marked highway and could be switched off utterly, too, do you have to need to. I discovered the blind-spot monitor, which seems within the instrument cluster, to be notably helpful.

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO efficiency and refinement

Now, on to the driving bits. Each SUVs are powered by a 3-cylinder, direct-injection, turbo-petrol engine, however they differ in displacement and output. The Kylaq has a smaller 1.0-litre unit that places out 115hp and 178Nm, whereas the 3XO’s bigger 1.2-litre motor produces 131hp and 230Nm. Each variations examined had been paired with the identical Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter automated gearbox.

131hp 1.2L mill feels sturdy all through rev vary.

Given the distinction in output, the Mahindra is of course faster in a dash to 100kph, finishing it in 11.05sec to the Kylaq’s 11.69sec. The Skoda claws again within the 20-80kph run, posting an equivalent time of 6.38sec, however it’s marginally slower within the 40-100kph run.

Skoda 1.0 TSI feels stronger than anticipated

115hp 1.0 TSI engine punches above its weight.

The Kylaq’s engine is barely slower to reply at low speeds, and that’s one thing you’ll should get used to in metropolis driving. However then on, energy supply turns into clean and progress straightforward. The TSI engine punches above its weight and feels considerably stronger than its cubic capability would have you ever consider. And that’s most evident within the mid-range. What helps benefit from the mid-range are the paddle shifters, which add to the engagement. And even in totally automated mode, the gearbox does its job somewhat easily. In isolation, the Kylaq’s engine is refined, however it’s the noisier unit as compared.

XUV 3XO feels punchier at low speeds

The XUV 3XO has a big energy and torque benefit, and you’re feeling as a lot from the get-go. Drive modes additionally assist fine-tune the expertise. Simply as you begin out, you’ll really feel that the XUV 3XO is extra responsive at low speeds. Nevertheless, it’s important to be conscious – no less than in metropolis driving situations – that it’s higher in Zip mode, the place energy supply is the smoothest. For those who’re in Zap or Zoom mode, one can find that the engine bunches up its energy fairly early within the rev vary. And also you don’t need that while you’re in very tight transferring situations.

Modes alter response and steering weight.

In fact, when the highway opens up, you’d need to change to Zap or Zoom mode, which may have the engine breathe freer and really feel completely different in its energy supply. Whereas the Kylaq’s engine is the strongest within the mid-range, the XUV’s mill feels sturdy all through. So, proper from low revs, it’s extra alert and responsive, and even within the mid-range, there’s a fixed and regular stream of energy. You don’t should work the engine to get the most effective out of it.

Paddle shifters add to the Kylaq’s drive expertise.

The 3XO is fast and enjoyable, however you’ll miss paddle shifters. Gear shifts by way of the lever are responsive sufficient, although. What’s outstanding is the Mahindra engine’s refinement. Even when revved laborious, it doesn’t thrum such as you’d anticipate a 3-cylinder unit to.

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO gasoline effectivity

XUV 3XO was extra frugal in our testing

Kylaq returned a greater mileage on the freeway, whereas the XUV 3XO sipped much less gasoline within the metropolis.

Coming to the vital subject of gasoline effectivity, we put the 2 vehicles by way of our check loops in Mumbai metropolis in addition to on the freeway. And it’s the XUV that delivered a better determine of 9.9kpl on the town. The SUV’s auto cease/begin retains the engine off for longer durations, which may have helped the economic system. The Kylaq managed 8.7kpl within the metropolis, however it did edge previous on the freeway, delivering 13.3kpl to the XUV 3XO’s 13kpl determine.

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO journey consolation and dealing with

Kylaq corners higher, however XUV 3XO feels extra steady at excessive speeds

Across the bends, the Kylaq feels extra participating. The Kylaq doesn’t get steering modes just like the XUV 3XO, and usually, it has a lighter steering wheel, however it’s good and clean, and you may have nice enjoyable within the corners. You additionally get the sensation that this chassis may really tackle a bigger, extra highly effective engine, perhaps the 1.5 TSI for a Kylaq RS? When cruising on the freeway, the Kylaq drives like an even bigger automobile, however over undulations, there may be extra up-and-down motion than you get within the 3XO. And for those who discuss particularly compared to the 3XO’s journey consolation, the Kylaq is extra absorbent at decrease speeds, and over bumps and potholes, you’ll sense that there’s a bit extra wheel journey as properly.

XUV 3XO’s driving modes noticeably have an effect on steering really feel.

The XUV 3XO, too, feels enjoyable to drive on a twisty highway. Notably, its drive modes additionally change steering weight progressively. You get a very good feeling of management on the steering wheel, however the standout aspect is the grip that you simply expertise round corners. So, you possibly can carry numerous pace with a substantial amount of confidence. At greater speeds, the 3XO feels poised and composed, and you may attribute that to the comparatively flatter journey than the Kylaq. On the flip aspect, the low-speed journey is a bit firmer than the Skoda, however to not the extent of being a dealbreaker.

Skoda Kylaq vs Mahindra XUV 3XO value and verdict

Each compact SUVs commerce blows on the worth entrance

They’re shut when it comes to driving expertise, however the Mahindra appears like a extra full bundle.

When it comes to pricing, the Skoda Kylaq and Mahindra XUV 3XO are about at par for comparable trim ranges. The totally loaded XUV 3XO AX7 L featured right here is costly at Rs 15.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). However forgo the ADAS, 360-degree digicam and electrical parking brake, and you will get the AX7, whose Rs 13.99 lakh price ticket is equivalent to that of the top-spec Kylaq Status AT. Speaking about like-priced variants, there’s a little bit of give and absorb options, however they’re nonetheless shut.

The duo can also be shut when it comes to driving expertise, the 3XO being marginally sooner, whereas the Kylaq is extra entertaining in its dealing with and barely extra absorbent in its journey high quality. The place the 3XO strikes forward is in its plusher inside, extra refined engine and extra room for passengers. The benefit in gasoline economic system additionally ideas the scales in favour of the Mahindra. Eager drivers will take pleasure in each fashions, little question, however it’s the XUV 3XO that ultimately makes you’re feeling such as you’ve bought extra on your cash.

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