Choosing a CNG powertrain is about confidence as much as cost. In my experience, the real peace of mind comes from factory-fitted systems, a domain dominated by OEMs like Maruti Suzuki, Tata, and Hyundai with their dedicated variants. While other brands offer Government-approved retrofit kits at the dealer level, a built-from-the-ground-up CNG option represents a superior commitment to engineering and safety—the exact standard a Skoda Kylaq CNG would need to meet.
We’ve seen OEMs like Citroen, Renault, and Nissan use clever powertrain strategy to grow. Now, Skoda Auto India could follow with the Kylaq. A CNG version of this B-segment SUV would broaden its appeal to target practical buyers, directly boosting sales and market share in a key segment.
Skoda’s Pragmatic CNG Path
Looking at the current landscape, Skoda seems to be charting a distinct course. While most rival OEMs push factory-fitted systems, a recent report suggests Skoda Auto India is exploring a different approach for the Kylaq, similar to Citroen, Renault, and Nissan. The company is likely to offer Government-approved dealer-level retrofit kits. This means collaborating with third-party suppliers in the CNG realm to have kits specially designed and formulated, which should come with a proper warranty.
This potential move is intriguing because CNG isn’t new to Skoda’s history in India—they previously looked into possibilities with the now-discontinued Rapid sedan, though it didn’t materialize. If this new plan goes ahead, the entry-level Kylaq SUV would become Skoda’s first official CNG offering in the market, a significant step after nearly 25 years of the brand’s presence here. It’s a strategic powertrain option aimed directly at value-conscious buyers.
Expanding the Kylaq’s Horizon
To build on the strong momentum the Kylaq has created, Skoda is cleverly expanding its appeal. They’ve already refreshed the lineup with new Classic+, Signature+, and Prestige+ trims for this SUV and even teased a Sportline trim. Now, by potentially adding a CNG option, they’re strategically targeting both performance enthusiasts and practical everyday users. Based on my experience, this is a classic move to capture a wider audience with a single model.
From what the evaluation suggests, the Skoda Kylaq CNG might be offered exclusively with one powertrain combination: the 1.0L TSI Manual. This smartly helps reduce complexities and costs. When running on CNG, it’s true you’ll likely feel a slight drop in performance. For reference, this engine is rated to develop a solid 115 bhp of peak power and 178 Nm of peak torque on petrol, so even on gas, it should remain perfectly adequate for daily driving.
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What to expect?
Looking at the practical side, the pricing for the Skoda Kylaq CNG will naturally be higher. From what I’ve seen in the market, expect it to cost around Rs 1 lakh more than the petrol standard counterpart it’s based on.
A key reason is the kit itself. Unlike the dual-cylinder setups used by Tata and Hyundai, Skoda might opt for a single-cylinder implementation. This is a crucial trade-off: while you’ll likely see a nice gain in fuel efficiency, be prepared to lose some precious boot space, which is always a compromise with such conversions.
As for availability, Skoda hasn’t officially revealed the launch timeline yet. However, if I were to speculate based on typical industry cycles, the festive season of 2026 seems like a very good time for such a launch. We’ll have to wait for a later date to get more details. These will include the exact modifications inside the cabin to show CNG stats and the final positioning of the CNG filler cap.
