The much-anticipated Skoda Kushaq has been finally launched in India with prices starting at ₹ 10.50 lakh for the base variant and going all the way up to ₹ 17.60 lakh for the range-topping trim. The new compact SUV marks the beginning of a new journey for the German carmaker in our market and will rival the likes of some of the well-established models in its segment like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Renault Duster among others.
The Skoda Kushaq is also the first model to be spawned by the MQB-A0-IN platform which will underpin a slew of new model of the VW group in India, going forward. It is a localised version of the VW Group’s versatile MQB scalable architecture, which has been specifically developed for the Indian market.
Exterior
The Skoda Kushaq looks sleek and quite handsome, thanks to its macho looks. It largely remains true to the concept version we saw at the 2020 Auto Expo featuring a similar chrome-accented butterfly grille flanked by a set of LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, and separate trapezoidal LED foglamps.
The SUV also comes with LED taillamps, and Skoda will also be offering the SUV in Honey Orange and Tornado Red colours in India. Other colours include – Candy White, Brilliant Silver, and Carbon Steel. The Skoda Kushaq’s entry-level trim line, Active, will come with 16-inch steel wheels and Lhotse full wheel covers.
In the Ambition trim level, the Kushaq gets Grus 16-inch alloy wheels, while the style variant will come with 17-inch Atlas two-tone alloys as standard.
Courtesy the new platform, the Skoda Kushaq has about 95 per cent of localised content which helps to keep the prices competitive. Now speaking of its dimensions, it is 4225 mm long, 1760 mm wide and has a height of 1612 mm, while its wheelbase is measured at 2651 mm and its ground clearance stands at 188 mm.
Interior
The cabin of the SUV is well-balanced and neatly designed, while the dual-tone scheme is really soothing to the eye. The quality of material used and over finish looks top-notch for the segment and nothing in here looks busy. Going by our review, the seats too are well-bolstered offering decent lumbar and side support, while the cushioning is well balanced as well.
Skoda has also used piano black finish and brushed chrome in a minimalist manner, adding very subtly to its appeal. Then, the Skoda Kushaq offers plenty of space for five occupants and it comes with a boot capacity of 385-litres.
Features
Now the Skoda Kushaq is quite impressive when it comes to creature comforts. It gets a 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless MirrorLink, ventilated front seats, AC vents at the rear, MID instrument console, cruise control, ambient lighting, a seven-speaker music system, two-spoke steering wheel, auto-dimming IRVMs, steering-mounted controls, wireless charger and My Skoda Connect among others.
Engines
Under the hood, the Skoda Kushaq SUV is being offered with a choice of two petrol engines – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI. The former is tuned to make 113 bhp and 175 Nm of peak torque. And the latter belts out 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque.
Transmission options will include a six-speed manual gearbox along with optional six-speed automatic transmission on the 1.0-Litre TSI, while the 1.5-litre TSI is offered with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.
Safety
In terms of safety features, the new Skoda Kushaq comes with a range of standard offerings like dual airbags, ESC, a three-point seatbelt for all five passengers and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Optional safety features include – Hill-Hold Control, tyre pressure monitoring, 6 airbags (side and curtain included), auto headlamps and wipers and multi-collision braking system among others.
