Among the few affordable cars with sporty aspirations on sale in India are the Citroen C3 X and the Skoda Kylaq. Both compact models come with a punchy turbo-petrol engine producing in excess of 100hp and an Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. We see which one is more efficient: the C3’s 1.2-litre turbo-petrol or the Kylaq’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol.
Citroen C3 X vs Skoda Kylaq AT specifications and price
C3 X has more torque and weighs less than Kylaq, but Skoda’s ARAI mileage is 0.75kpl higher
Specifications & price | C3 X AT | Kylaq AT |
Engine | 3 cyls, turbo-petrol | 3 cyls, turbo-petrol |
Displacement (cc) | 1199 | 999 |
Power (hp) | 110 | 115 |
Torque (Nm) | 205 | 178 |
Gearbox | 6-speed AT | 6-speed AT |
Kerb weight (kg) | 1114 | 1255 |
Power-to-weight (hp/tonne) | 98.74 | 91.63 |
Torque-to-weight (Nm/tonne) | 184.02 | 141.83 |
ARAI mileage (kpl) | 18.30 | 19.05 |
Fuel tank (litres) | 45 | 45 |
Price range* (Rs, lakh) | 9.05-9.30 | 10.00-12.80 |
*Ex-showroom, India
Despite having a smaller displacement, the Kylaq’s 1.0-litre engine makes 5hp more than the C3 X’s 1.2-litre unit, but the Citroen produces 27Nm more torque. The C3 X also has a 141kg weight advantage over the Kylaq, and it costs up to Rs 2.5 lakh less, even with the 360-degree camera, which is a Rs 25,000 option. However, the Skoda compact SUV’s ARAI efficiency figure is 0.75kpl higher than the Citroen high-riding hatchback’s.
Citroen C3 X vs Skoda Kylaq AT real world mileage test results
Kylaq AT’s real world mileage is 0.11kpl higher than that of C3 X AT
| Real world mileage test results | C3 X AT | Kylaq AT |
| Tested city mileage (kpl) | 8.46 | 8.70 |
| Tested highway mileage (kpl) | 13.38 | 13.36 |
| Tested average mileage (kpl) | 10.92 | 11.03 |
| ARAI range (km) | 824 | 857 |
| Tested range (km) | 491 | 496 |
Our real-world C3 X AT mileage tests showed that it managed an 8.46kpl figure in the city and 13.38kpl on the highway, posting an average of 10.92kpl. The Kylaq automatic betters the C3 X’s city run by 0.24kpl but falls short on the highway by 0.02kpl, recording a real-world mileage that is 0.11kpl better than that of the Citroen. As both models here have a 45-litre fuel tank capacity, their single-tank range numbers are also quite close, with the Kylaq managing to go just 5km further.
Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing
Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, running the aircon and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.
