Skoda Kushaq

About Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq is an SUV designed specifically for the Indian market. It is a product of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, the Indian subsidiary of the Czech carmaker Skoda Auto, and is built on the Volkswagen Group's MQB-A0-IN platform. The SUV's name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kushak', which means king or emperor, reflecting the brand's ambition to make a bold statement in the Indian SUV market.

The Skoda Kushaq boasts an attractive exterior design featuring sharp creases, angular lines and a distinctive grille that is framed by sleek LED headlights. The interior of the car is equally impressive, with a modern and spacious cabin that is loaded with tech features such as a large touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, and wireless phone charging. With its bold styling, advanced features, and solid build quality, the Skoda Kushaq is a strong contender in the highly competitive Indian SUV market.

Skoda Kushaq: Quick Review

The following sections provide more details about the Skoda Kusahq’s exterior design, interior, features, performance and safety.

Exterior Design

The Skoda Kushaq is a compact SUV designed specifically for the Indian market, and it boasts a striking and modern exterior design that sets it apart from its competitors. The Kushaq features Skoda's signature design language, which is characterised by sharp lines and creases that give the car a distinctive and dynamic appearance. 

The front of the SUV is dominated by Skoda's trademark grille, which is flanked by sleek LED headlights that give the Kushaq a sporty and aggressive look. The bonnet features bold lines that extend all the way to the windscreen, further emphasising the SUV's muscular and athletic stance.

The Kushaq's side profile is characterised by a sharp crease that runs from the front wheel arches to the car's rear, creating a sense of motion and speed. The SUV's roofline slopes gently towards the rear, giving it a coupe-like, stylish, and aerodynamic appearance. The Kushaq rides on stylish alloy wheels, and the body cladding renders it a rugged look.

The rear fascia of the Kushaq features the signature Skoda lettering on the boot lid. The split LED tail lights, a roof-mounted spoiler, and the silver skid plate enhance the visual appeal of the SUV.

Interior and Features

The Skoda Kushaq's cabin features a dual-tone dashboard, with high-quality materials used throughout, giving the SUV a premium look and feel. The dashboard is clean and uncluttered, with a large infotainment display positioned at the centre. The touchscreen system is easy to use and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system also comes with voice commands, allowing drivers to control the car's functions without taking their hands off the wheel.

The front seats are comfortable and offer ample legroom and headroom. The rear seats are equally spacious, making the Kushaq a practical family car. The rear seats also fold down to create extra luggage space, which is a useful feature for longer journeys. 

The Kushaq comes with a range of features, including automatic climate control, keyless entry, an electric sunroof, cruise control, a two-spoke steering wheel, a wireless charger, rear AC vents, etc. Overall, Skoda Kushaq's interior design is both practical and stylish, making it an appealing option for those in the market for a compact SUV.

Engine Performance

The Skoda Kushaq draws power from a 1-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The 1-litre engine produces 113.9 bhp and 178 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The 1.5-litre engine churns out 147.5 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG gearbox. 

In terms of performance, both engines of the Skoda Kushaq offer a smooth and refined driving experience. The 1.0-litre engine is suitable for city driving, offering good low-end torque and a responsive throttle. The 1.5-litre engine, on the other hand, is more powerful and offers a more spirited driving experience. It is capable of delivering quick acceleration and can easily handle highway speeds. 

The automatic transmissions are smooth and offer seamless gear changes, enhancing the overall driving experience. Overall, the Skoda Kushaq's impressive engine performance offers a good balance of power, efficiency and driving comfort.

The 1-litre engine delivers a fuel economy of 17.88 kmpl when paired with the manual gearbox. The automatic variant returns a mileage of 15.78 kmpl. The manufacturer is yet to reveal the mileage figures for the 1.5-litre engine. Note that the mileage figures are as per the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) rating.

Safety

The Skoda Kushaq gets standard safety features like dual front airbags, Multi Collision Braking, Roll Over Protection, front seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX child seat mounts, ABS, EBD, Electronic Stability Control, etc. The top-spec variants of the Kushaq get additional safety features like hill-hold assist, six airbags, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), etc. Overall, the Skoda Kushaq gets all the necessary safety equipment to keep you safe on the road.

Pros and Cons of Skoda Kushaq

Pros

• Elegant exterior design with signature Skoda elements.

• Refined engine options.

• Premium interior design and excellent build quality.

• It gets all the necessary safety and creature comfort features.

• An easy-to-drive SUV, suitable for daily driving.

Cons

• There is no diesel engine option.

• The rear seat is best suited for two adult occupants.

• The boot space is smaller compared to rivals.