Skoda Kylaq vs Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Which sub-compact SUV should you buy?

After years of speculation, Skoda India has finally made its move into the fiercely competitive sub-compact SUV segment. The company has played its cards wisely by pricing its new offering to undercut the segment leader, the Maruti Suzuki Brezza—though this is only in the lower variants. When it comes to the fully loaded top variant, the pricing is more comparable. We dive into the pricing, performance, and features of the two SUVs.

Skoda Kylaq vs Maruti Brezza Comparison: Prices

The Kylaq is the most affordable vehicle in Skoda India’s lineup and is the company’s first sub-4 metre SUV. The Kylaq is available in four variants — Classic, Signature, Signature Plus and Prestige starting from Rs 7.89 lakh. Barring Classic, the rest are available in manual and automatic transmission options. It is available in seven colours — Tornado Red, Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Carbon Steel, Lava Blue, Deep Black and exclusive Olive Gold.

The Brezza has consistently been the most popular choice in the compact SUV segment. It comes in four trims — LXI, VXI, ZXI and ZXI Plus. The Brezza is available in manual, automatic and CNG options. The Kylaq does not offer a CNG trim. The Brezza starts from Rs 8.34 lakh to Rs 13.98 lakh, ex-showroom. The Maruti SUV gets seven solid colours and three dual tone. The single paint schemes are Pearl Midnight Black, Pearl Artic White, Splendid Silver, Magma Grey, Exuberant Blue, Brave Khaki and Sizzling Red. The dual tone colours are Sizzling Red with Midnight Black roof, Brave Khakhi with Artic White roof and Splendid Silver with Midnight Black roof. 

Skoda Kylaq vs Maruti Brezza Comparison: Engine Specs

The Kylaq is available with a single engine option — the 1-litre TSI turbo petrol with an output of 114 bhp and 178 Nm of torque. Skoda claims that the Kylaq manual version achieves 0 – 100 kmph in 10.5 seconds with a top speed of 188 kmph. The 1-litre powertrain is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic torque converter transmission. Skoda has also revealed that the Kylaq manual will return a fuel economy in the region of 20 kmpl. 

The Brezza, on the other hand, is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which churns out 101 bhp at 6000 rpm and 136.8 Nm at 4400 rpm. The CNG variant makes 86.6 bhp and 121.5 Nm and is only available in manual. The Brezza is mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. According to Maruti Suzuki, the LXI and VXI MT returns 17.38 kmpl, 19.89 kmpl for ZXI and ZXI Plus MT and 19.80 kmpl for the automatics. 

Skoda Kylaq vs Maruti Brezza Comparison: Features

Both the Kylaq and the Brezza are packed with features but as the Skoda SUV is new in the market, it manages to have an edge over its competition. The two SUVs do not offer an Advanced Driver Assistance System. 

Let’s start with the Kylaq. Based on the MQB-A0-IN platform like the Slavia and the Kushaq, Skoda is confident that the new compact SUV will receive a full 5-star safety rating in crash tests. The top model gets all LED lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual tone interiors, front and rear armrests, an 8-inch digital driver’s display, wireless phone charger, front ventilated seats, auto-dimming internal rearview mirror, a single panel sunroof and a 10.1-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is the only SUV in its class to offer 6-way electrically adjustable front seats, including the front passenger. 

The Brezza comes packed with a host of features, including the segment-first head-up display, an analogue driver’s console, wireless phone charging, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, a 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 6-speaker sound system. Both the Brezza and its rival SUV offer connected technology.

Skoda Kylaq vs Maruti Brezza Comparison: Safety

According to Skoda, the Kylaq comes standard with over 25 safety features like 6 airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ABS with EBD, a rear parking camera with parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, rear defogger, Hill Hold Assist, ISOFIX child seat anchorages and first in the segment, brake disc wiping.

The Brezza offers up to 6 airbags, 360-degree camera, ESC, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and camera, ISOFIX child seat anchorages and Hill Hold Assist.