A Day Out With The Skodas! The Kylaq, Kushaq, Slavia And Kodiaq Put To Test, Here’s How They React…

Skoda is a brand in India which might not really be for everyone, but it will surely appeal to those who want more than just a car that can take them from point A to B. While it was earlier purely a premium car brand, it is now much more mass-friendly, especially with the launch of the Kylaq subcompact SUV. 

Skoda invited us to Alibaug, Maharashtra, a place where Mumbaikars go when they get bored of Lonavala. We were invited to not just witness but also experience their cars in action. For me, this was an opportunity I couldn't say no to, and it took me hardly a second to say “Yes” to my manager, maybe even quicker than the Kylaq’s turbo kicking in! 

Here’s how my midweek adventure turned out: 

Smooth Sailing

Well, you might have expected the experience to start behind the wheel of one of the Skodas, but instead it started on the Ro-Ro ship, which is a popular service for transporting vehicles from South Mumbai to Lonavala. 

For those who are not aware, Skoda has been sponsoring this service for quite a few years now, and that is why the cabins on the ferry are named after Skoda cars, Superb, Slavia and Kushaq.

Upon reaching Alibaug, we could see the tarmac track with a bunch of cones, plenty of Kylaqs and some Kushaqs and Slavias waiting for us. It felt like the cars were more excited than we were. Before the action began, we decided to fill some fuel in our stomachs. After enjoying a cold coffee and grilled chicken, I was fueled up and ready to swap the forks for the steering wheel and see what the machines could really do.  

Here We Go…

After a quick briefing by an instructor, I got behind the wheel of an Olive Gold (greenish) Kylaq, which looked like it wanted to have some fun around the track. Our drive was split into multiple sections, including an Autocross, a Moose Test, a Slalom and a handling course. 

While I had already driven the Kylaq extensively, driving it on a track was going to be a different experience. Here’s how the Kylaq behaved and kept me entertained throughout: 

• Acceleration and Braking Zone: My instructor told me to launch the Kylaq, and it didn’t disappoint, reaching almost the triple-digit mark, before the braking zone arrived and the brakes did their job, quite wonderfully. 

• Autocross: Brake, turn, accelerate! If I had to sum it up in three words. The Kylaq’s steering here came to perfect use, and it actually left me impressed with its sharpness. 

• Moose Test: The moose test is not for beginners, and it needs your full attention because one wrong input can leave the tyres kissing the cones and you, doubting your driving skills. However, the Kylaq made the job easier, and no PG-13 scenes happened. We had to take a quick turn to drive around the obstacle and then another quick turn to get back into your original lane. All done at speeds of around 50 kmph, you get the idea of your car’s stability and sharpness around the corners. 

• Slalom: No, not the fish people visit Alibaug for! Again, we had to navigate through the cones. By now, I had a better idea of the steering and the handling of the Kylaq, and actually started enjoying the obstacle instead of worrying about touching the cones. 

After the Kylaq, I did the same course with the Slavia. While not taking anything away from the Kylaq, performing the same challenges with the Slavia felt more confidence-inspiring, mainly due to the more planted setup of the sedan and the lesser turbo lag with the sedan’s larger 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine. That being said, both cars are clearly among the best in their segment when you want a fun driving experience. Also, I am glad I kept my lunch light :p

Time For The Kodiaq! 

How often would a Kodiaq buyer take the SUV off the road? Almost never! But, would a buyer who purchases a Rs 50 lakh SUV want a machine that can take them almost anywhere? YES! 

The Skoda Kodiaq is the brand’s newest SUV on our shores, and is one of the most sophisticated SUVs that you can buy around the Rs 50 lakh price range. Skoda portrays it to be a perfect partner for driving in the city, as well as taking it across difficult terrains where no ordinary SUV might want to go. To showcase the latter, Skoda took us to the off-roading track where a dozen or more Kodiaqs were waiting for us. While you would want to see a Kodiaq clean and polished, the mud around its wheel arches and tyres was actually adding a hint of ruggedness and an “I can go anywhere” attitude. An attitude that I liked! 

It Can Do A Lot! 

While our briefing about the track was short, the overall duration of the track was about 20 minutes in length. I love black cars, and the Kodiaq in black really stood out as I watched fellow journalists perform the off-road challenges before my turn arrived. To my surprise, or as some call it, the “law of attraction”, I got the black Kodiaq. 

The plushness of the Kodiaq’s cabin made me want to take it directly for a long drive on tarmac, probably back to Mumbai, but that would probably have me fired by my manager. So after a quick chat with my instructor, I adjusted my driving position, turned the massage function on (cause why not) and lined up straight for our first challenge! Here’s how the Skoda managed to do it all…

• Steep Ascent: After lining up the full-size SUV, we climbed up the steep ascent, and while you can do it fast, it was all about doing it at a constant speed with steady throttle inputs. 

• The Descent: The descent was all about judging where your tyres need to be so that you don’t lose traction. While it seemed to be tricky, the Kodiaq (and I) didn't break a sweat. 

• Slide Slopes: There were two slide slopes, one where the driver was towards the ground and the other one where the driver was upwards on the slope (at a height). Both times, I didn’t have to give the throttle input, and the Kodiaq took care of everything on its own. 

• Chicken Holes: No problem at all, the Kodiaq gobbled it up easily.

• Axle Twisters: Demonstrated the Kodiaq’s prowess in maintaining traction. 

• Acceleration and braking: We lined up for the acceleration test, and the mighty SUV took no time to achieve high speed before we had to apply the brakes. The braking zone had one side paved to showcase the vehicle’s composure and stability while braking over various surfaces. 

• The Ditch: My favourite one out of the various challenges. Here, the co-driver side of the SUV, where my instructor was sitting, went downwards while I was ensuring that with my right rear wheel in the air, I do not scrape the SUV (I did not). 

• A steeper descent: Lastly, after another ascent, there was a sharp descent where the Kodiaq’s hill descent control took over and again, my life was made easy as the car did all the work. 

I was genuinely impressed by what the Kodiaq could do, as long as your inputs are smooth and you don’t panic. The all-wheel drive system works smoothly and takes over without you really noticing it. I was also amazed by how the Kodiaq managed to keep its composure and stance when we performed hard braking with the concrete portion under the left tyre and the dirt pad under the other tyre. The hill descent control is another feature which isn’t just a gimmick but is actually pretty useful and ensures that the car brakes perfectly down the slope. 

We Need To Appreciate Good Cars! 

Skoda is currently one of those brands that offer cars that have a soul to begin with, and make driving more than just something that you have to do to get from point A to B. Yes, they might not be the most fuel-efficient cars or the most feature-loaded, but they provide you with something that is intangible - a connection with the car. While picking a Skoda car might not be the most value-for-money proposition, it sure is an exciting one. The good thing is that, like some other foreign players, Skoda is not taking the Indian auto market lightly, and their substantial efforts appear to be promising. To know more about Skoda’s future in India, check out this story. 

My experience with the Skodas was anything but ordinary and has definitely left me wanting more. So if any of my seniors are reading this, you know what to do. 

Let’s be honest, driving in traffic conditions and around irresponsible drivers can sometimes make you forget why you love driving in the first place. But experiences like this one, or driving on a scenic open road, remind you of how thrilling it can be. 

The Kylaq, Kushaq and Slavia are definitely cars that make you love driving, and while they might not carry the same pedigree or performance as the Octavia RS or Golf GTI, they provide you with a hint of what these iconic names offer. The Kodiaq is not really born to be wild, but it did not throw tantrums during any of the challenges it had to face, and handled them with grace. So yes, it is an SUV that you can take almost anywhere. 

Beyond our 9-5s and tight schedules, I encourage you to spend more time with your machines, making memories, one drive at a time! As for me? I am still waiting for my manager’s call to hear about my next opportunity. Fingers crossed it’s rather sooner than later :D