Skoda plans to add a CNG option to the Kylaq, its sub-4m SUV, and it could be special. The company wants to run CNG on its 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol engine, which no rival in this class does today. But there's a catch: nothing is confirmed. No date, no price, no final specs. So should you wait, or just buy the petrol now?
Skoda Kylaq CNG: what's new and when?
Right now the Kylaq is petrol-only. Skoda India brand director Ashish Gupta said in August 2026 that the company is studying its 1.0 TSI engine and MQB-A0-IN platform (the base structure) for CNG. The same platform runs the Kushaq and Slavia, so CNG could spread across models later. Reports point to a 2027 launch, but Skoda has not confirmed any date, bookings or specs. Treat everything here as expected, not final.
Skoda Kylaq
SUVTurbo on CNG: power, torque and gearbox
The current Kylaq uses a 999cc three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. It makes 114 bhp at 5000–5500 rpm and 178 Nm of torque (pulling power). Skoda has said a drop of about 10–15% in power on CNG would be acceptable. So the CNG Kylaq won't feel as strong as the petrol, but Skoda wants to keep the turbo character alive. The final power, torque and gearbox are not confirmed. Early word suggests a manual-only setup, but even that is TBC (to be confirmed).
Mileage and running cost: is CNG worth it?
This is the whole point of a CNG Kylaq. The petrol version gives an ARAI (a government mileage test, always higher than real driving) figure of 19.68 kmpl on manual and 19.05 kmpl on automatic. Market talk puts CNG mileage around 22–24 km/kg, but Skoda has not shared any official number. CNG costs a lot less per km than petrol, so heavy city users and daily commuters would save real money over a year. Actual mileage will depend on tank size, kerb weight and how you drive. Wait for the official ARAI figure before you count your savings.
Expected price: ₹9 lakh vs petrol's ₹7.59 lakh start
The petrol Kylaq runs from ₹7.59 lakh (Classic MT) to ₹13.65 lakh (Sportline AT), all ex-showroom. CNG kit usually adds a premium, so the CNG version could start around ₹9 lakh. That's roughly ₹1.4 lakh more than the petrol base. Higher trims would cost more. Remember, on-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance, and that varies by state. Skoda has not confirmed any CNG price, so ₹9 lakh is only an estimate.
Skoda Kylaq — Price by variant
| Variant | Ex-showroom price |
|---|---|
| Classic | ₹7.59 lakh |
| Classic Plus | ₹8.25 lakh – ₹9.25 lakh |
| Signature | ₹9.43 lakh – ₹10.43 lakh |
| Signature Plus | ₹10.77 lakh – ₹11.77 lakh |
| Prestige | ₹11.75 lakh – ₹12.75 lakh |
| Prestige Plus | ₹11.99 lakh – ₹12.99 lakh |
| Sportline | ₹12.75 lakh – ₹13.65 lakh |
(Current price of Kylaq, as of September 2026.)
Features, safety and the boot problem
Most of the current Kylaq's kit should carry over. That means a 25.6 cm touchscreen, a 20.32 cm Virtual Cockpit (digital dial display) on Signature+ trims up, sunroof from Classic Plus, ventilated front seats on Prestige+, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Safety is a strong card here: 6 airbags standard, plus ESC, hill-hold, ISOFIX mounts and a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating (Adult score 30.88). The worry is the boot. The petrol Kylaq offers a big 446 litres, but a CNG tank eats into that space. Skoda will only reveal the tank placement and final boot number at launch. Whether the 5-star rating still holds with the tank under the floor is also not yet clear.
Kylaq CNG vs Nexon CNG vs Brezza CNG
The Tata Nexon CNG sells today from ₹9.39 lakh to ₹14.60 lakh, with a 1.2 naturally aspirated petrol-CNG setup and around 24 km/kg claimed. The Maruti Brezza CNG is also on sale now. So both rivals are ready to buy while the Kylaq CNG is still on paper. The Kylaq's big edge would be its turbo engine, a first for CNG in this class, which should feel more lively than the Nexon's non-turbo motor. But the Nexon CNG already offers an automatic option, while the Kylaq CNG is likely manual-only. If a smaller boot and manual gearbox are fine with you, the turbo Kylaq could be the more fun choice.
Should you wait or buy now?
If you drive a lot in the city and want low running cost, a turbo-CNG Kylaq sounds tempting. But it's 2027 at the earliest, and that's a long wait when the Nexon CNG and Brezza CNG are on sale today. If you need a CNG SUV soon, buy a rival now. If you want the Kylaq badge, safety and turbo punch, and can't wait, the petrol Classic Plus at ₹8.25 lakh (MT) with a sunroof makes a sensible, well-equipped pick. Patient buyers who do high monthly kilometres are the ones who should hold out for the CNG.
References: Skoda India — official website
