New Skoda Subcompact SUV Teased; India Launch By 2025

At its latest press conference, Skoda India announced its plans to launch a new subcompact SUV in India. This new model, based on the Kushaq, will go on sale in India by March 2025 and will rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon and more. 

Skoda India has yet to name the new subcompact SUV but has shortlisted five names as of now – Kariq, Kymaq, Kyroq, Kwiq and Kylaq – but is also open to suggestions from the public. Skoda India will be hosting a #NameYourSkoda contest to choose the name of the upcoming subcompact SUV and the final moniker will be announced in April 2024. It also states that the name of the upcoming SUV should start with ‘K’ and end with ‘Q’, to follow the naming scheme of its other SUVs – the Kodiaq, Kushaq, Karoq and Kamiq. 

While the upcoming SUV’s design is still under wraps, Skoda teased the model’s fascia. The upcoming subcompact SUV will have a butch look with a split headlamp design. It will have the typical Skoda grille which merges into the housing of the LED DRLs. 

Petr Jeneba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, claims that this new model will be the most affordable offering in its portfolio. Based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, the new model will be under four metres in length and will be powered by the brand’s 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that is likely to have the same power output as the one in the Kushaq and Slavia. 

Furthermore, Skoda India also announced that it will be adding another production line at its Chakan plant to increase the current annual production capacity to 2.5 lakh units from the current 1.8 lakh units. The marque also plans to sell 1 lakh units of the Slavia, Kushaq and the new SUV annually by 2026. 

Skoda India also mentioned that it will launch an EV in India, but that will only come after the subcompact SUV hits the market. Expect the Czech marque to launch the Enyaq EV in the second half of 2025, which made its Indian debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024.