Skoda’s two most popular SUVs in India share a lot more than a badge. The Kylaq, the brand’s compact SUV, and the Kushaq, its midsize sibling, sit on the same platform and use the same 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. So if you’re weighing one against the other, it’s only natural to wonder whether the smaller, lighter Kylaq actually saves you money at the pump. The Kushaq has had a busy year. In March 2026, Skoda gave it a thorough facelift, bringing fresh styling, new features and a new 8-speed automatic for the 1.0-litre engine, while the more powerful 1.5-litre version carries on with its 7-speed DSG. The Kylaq, meanwhile, continues as Skoda’s most affordable way into an SUV. In this article, we’ll take you through how the two compare on claimed and real-world mileage, what each one costs to run every month, and how their prices stack up.
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Skoda Kylaq vs Skoda Kushaq: Specifications
At the heart of both SUVs is the same 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI turbo-petrol engine, producing 115 hp and 178 Nm. The Kylaq pairs it with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic, while the facelifted Kushaq offers a 6-speed manual or the new 8-speed automatic. If you’d like a little more punch, the Kushaq also gives you the option of a 1.5-litre TSI with a 7-speed DSG.
| Specification | Skoda Kylaq | Skoda Kushaq |
| 1.0L TSI turbo-petrol | 115 hp / 178 Nm | 115 hp / 178 Nm |
| 1.5L TSI turbo-petrol | Not offered | 150 hp / 250 Nm |
| Gearboxes (1.0L) | 6-speed MT or 6-speed AT | 6-speed MT or 8-speed AT |
| Gearbox (1.5L) | Not offered | 7-speed DSG |
| Kerb weight (1.0 MT) | 1,219 kg | 1,248 kg |
| Fuel tank | 45 litres | 50 litres |
The Kylaq is a little smaller and about 29 kg lighter than the Kushaq with the same engine and gearbox, which is where any mileage advantage would come from. The Kushaq, on the other hand, carries a bigger fuel tank.
Also Read: Complete Guide on Buying a Skoda Kylaq
Skoda Kylaq vs Skoda Kushaq: ARAI Mileage Figures
The Kylaq manual is rated at 19.68 km/l and the facelifted Kushaq manual at 19.66 km/l, which is practically a tie. With the automatic, the Kushaq’s new 8-speed gearbox gives it a small edge, at 19.09 km/l against the Kylaq’s 19.05 km/l.
| Variant | Kylaq | Kushaq |
| 1.0 TSI manual | 19.68 km/l | 19.66 km/l |
| 1.0 TSI automatic | 19.05 km/l | 19.09 km/l |
| 1.5 TSI DSG | Not offered | 18.72 km/l |
It’s interesting to see the bigger, heavier Kushaq match the Kylaq so closely. With the automatic, the two extra gears in the Kushaq’s new gearbox likely play a part, as they let the engine stay more relaxed at cruising speeds.
Skoda Kylaq vs Skoda Kushaq: Real World Fuel Efficiency
When both SUVs were put through the same real-world test, the results were close, but not quite what you might expect. The Kylaq manual returned about 10.60 km/l in the city and 15.12 km/l on the highway, while the Kushaq 1.0 manual managed a better 11.80 km/l in town and a slightly lower 14.30 km/l out on the open road.
With the automatics, it was the Kylaq that came out ahead. It recorded around 8.70 km/l in the city and 13.36 km/l on the highway, compared to about 8.50 km/l and 12.40 km/l for the Kushaq.
| Version | City | Highway | 50:50 mixed |
| Kylaq 1.0 TSI MT | 10.60 km/l | 15.12 km/l | 12.46 km/l |
| Kushaq 1.0 TSI MT | 11.80 km/l | 14.30 km/l | 12.93 km/l |
| Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT | 8.70 km/l | 13.36 km/l | 10.54 km/l |
| Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT (pre-facelift, 6-speed) | 8.50 km/l | 12.40 km/l | 10.09 km/l |
So, with a manual, the Kushaq is marginally more economical over a mixed drive, while with an automatic, the lighter Kylaq takes the lead. Either way, the difference is small enough that most owners wouldn’t notice it day to day.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Kushaq automatic was tested before the facelift, when it still used a 6-speed gearbox. The new 8-speed unit should help it on the highway, so the gap could close once fresh figures are out. We don’t have recent real-world numbers for the Kushaq 1.5 TSI yet.
Skoda Kylaq vs Skoda Kushaq: Fuel Cost Comparison
To see what these figures mean for your wallet, we’ve assumed you drive 1,000 km a month, split evenly between city and highway, which works out to 12,000 km a year. We’ve taken petrol at ₹100 a litre to keep things simple, so do adjust it to your city’s rate.
| Version | Mixed mileage | Cost per km | Monthly (1,000 km) | Yearly (12,000 km) |
| Kylaq 1.0 TSI MT | 12.46 km/l | ₹8.02 | ₹8,024 | ₹96,287 |
| Kushaq 1.0 TSI MT | 12.93 km/l | ₹7.73 | ₹7,734 | ₹92,806 |
| Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT | 10.54 km/l | ₹9.49 | ₹9,490 | ₹1,13,875 |
| Kushaq 1.0 TSI AT | 10.09 km/l | ₹9.91 | ₹9,915 | ₹1,18,976 |
As you can see, the difference in fuel bills is quite small. With a manual, the Kushaq works out roughly ₹300 cheaper each month, and with an automatic, the Kylaq saves you about ₹425 a month. Over a year, that’s a few thousand rupees either way.
The bigger gap is between gearboxes rather than between the two cars. Choosing a manual over an automatic saves you around ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 a month on either SUV, so that’s worth keeping in mind if you do a lot of driving.
Also Read: Skoda Kushaq Running Cost Breakdown
Skoda Kylaq vs Skoda Kushaq: Price Comparison
This is where the two really part ways. The Kylaq is priced from about ₹7.59 lakh to ₹12.99 lakh, making it Skoda’s most affordable SUV by some distance. The facelifted Kushaq starts at ₹10.69 lakh and goes up to ₹18.99 lakh for the top 1.5 TSI Monte Carlo (all prices ex-showroom).
| Car | Approx. ex-showroom price |
| Skoda Kylaq | ₹7.59 lakh to ₹12.99 lakh |
| Skoda Kushaq | ₹10.69 lakh to ₹18.99 lakh |
| Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic | From ₹12.69 lakh |
Since fuel costs are so similar, the extra money for the Kushaq isn’t really buying you better mileage. What you do get is a roomier cabin, the newer 8-speed automatic, more premium features after the facelift, and the option of the stronger 1.5-litre engine.
Buying used? The Kushaq has been on sale since 2021, so you’ll find a good selection of pre-facelift models on Spinny, often at attractive prices now that the facelift is out. The Kylaq is newer, having arrived in early 2025, but low-mileage examples are starting to appear too. While shortlisting on Spinny, go through the inspection report and service history, and on an automatic, check that the gearbox shifts smoothly during your test drive. Every Spinny Assured car goes through a 200-point inspection and comes with a 1-year warranty, fixed pricing and a 5-day money-back guarantee.
Summary
If you were hoping the smaller Kylaq would run rings around the Kushaq on fuel, the real-world results tell a gentler story. With a manual gearbox, the Kushaq is marginally more economical, and with an automatic, the Kylaq nudges ahead. In both cases, the difference is only a few hundred rupees a month. So the choice really comes down to what you need from your SUV. The Kylaq makes a lot of sense if you want Skoda’s solid build and lively turbo engine at a much lower price, along with a size that’s easy to live with in the city. The Kushaq is worth the extra spend if you’d like more space, a more premium cabin and the newer 8-speed automatic, or if you want the added performance of the 1.5 TSI.
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FAQs about Skoda Kylaq and Kushaq Mileage Comparison
Q. Which is more fuel-efficient, the Kylaq or the Kushaq?
With a manual, the Kushaq was slightly more economical in real-world testing, at about 12.9 km/l in mixed driving against the Kylaq’s 12.5 km/l. With an automatic, the Kylaq came out ahead, at around 10.5 km/l compared to 10.1 km/l for the Kushaq.
Q. Has the 2026 Kushaq facelift improved mileage?
Yes, especially for the automatic. Thanks to the new 8-speed gearbox, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic is now rated at 19.09 km/l, up from 18.09 km/l before the facelift. Real-world figures for the new automatic aren’t available yet.
Q. What mileage does the Kushaq 1.5 TSI give?
The 1.5 TSI with the 7-speed DSG has a claimed figure of 18.72 km/l. It also uses Active Cylinder Technology, which shuts down two of its four cylinders under light loads to save fuel, though we don’t have recent real-world numbers for it yet.
Q. Do the Kylaq and Kushaq use the same engine?
Both use Skoda’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI turbo-petrol engine, producing 115 hp and 178 Nm. The Kushaq also offers a bigger 1.5-litre TSI.
Q. How far can I go on a full tank?
Based on the real-world mixed figures, the Kylaq manual can cover around 560 km on its 45-litre tank, while the Kushaq manual can manage about 645 km on its larger 50-litre tank.
Q. Will claimed mileage figures change with the new AC rule?
As per a draft notification from January 2026, carmakers are expected to share mileage figures with the AC both on and off from October 2026. This should give buyers a more realistic idea of everyday fuel efficiency.
