Complete Guide to Buying a Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq is a compact SUV that was first launched in India back in 2021, and since then, it has continued to compete in that space, against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and its very own sibling the Volkswagen Taigun as well. The competition also includes the duo of Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and all of these SUVs, including the Kushaq, are priced between 10 and 20 lakh rupees.

Skoda’s first car under its India 2.0 program then has its work cut out, but it has a few tricks up its sleeves that might end up wowing you enough to take it home. The Kushaq has that Skoda pedigree that we Indians love, a couple of powerful engines which add a dash of performance to your drive, and above all, a perfect safety rating which will only add to your peace of mind. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know if you are thinking about choosing the Skoda Kushaq to be your next car.

Skoda Kushaq Specifications

Why should you consider the Skoda Kushaq?

The Skoda Kushaq is a great pick for those who want one car that can do it all. You can take it from being an urban runabout to a highway-cruiser by merely slotting it into top gear and it needs no invitation to attack when you show it a set of corners. The Kushaq will then appeal to most members of the family. And unlike older Skoda cars that always fell a bit short in the features department, the Kushaq nails that one on the head as well. It then ticks all the right boxes to be on most people’s consideration list when they are out shopping for a new compact SUV.

Powertrain combos

The Skoda Kushaq comes with a choice of two turbo-petrol engines to choose from, and each of these engines comes with a manual and an automatic transmission of their own. Both the engines offer a brisk performance, and the smaller engine (a 1.0-litre turbo unit) is great for city runabouts and highway cruises, and overall, it feels quite fun to drive. The larger 1.5-litre motor takes things up a few notches and it turns the fun into exhilaration, and has some serious performance to offer. The manual feels the same with both engines – sharp, and slots into place with just a flick of the wrist. The automatics’ are truly the icing on the cake as they make you want to ditch the manual. The smaller engine’s six-speed torque converter offers a power-packed performance in urban environments whereas the 7-speed DCT of the larger engine makes shifting lightning quick!

Driving dynamics

Skoda is known for making fun to drive cars and the Kushaq is no exception. Despite the fact that it is an SUV, the Kushaq feels like a hatchback to drive around corners and its wider SUV tyres mean that it feels as sure-footed as any other bigger Skoda. The steering is a joy to use as it is quick and precise in the way it goes about its business, and dials in the feedback accordingly as you up the pace. It is truly a great experience as the Kushaq feels small and easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and comes alive in the twisties. Not only will true-blue enthusiasts be smitten by its handling abilities, but even those who aren’t necessarily seeking performance will enjoy the steadfastness of the Kushaq.

Safety

This is a big factor, and one that will sway many people in favour of the Kushaq. The fact that it scored five stars, not only for adult occupant protection but for child occupant protection as well, when crash tested under Global NCAP’s updated crash standards only makes it a no-brainer for most people. The Kushaq also comes loaded with safety features such as ESP, which actively works to help avoid accidents. It is then one of the safest cars that money can buy in its segment.

Why shouldn’t you consider the Skoda Kushaq?

While the Skoda Kushaq performs well in most departments, it does lag behind its rivals in some areas such as cabin space and its fuel efficiency. While the latter isn’t that big a problem, the cabin space can turn out to be a problem for some people. Here’s a look at why you shouldn’t be considering the Skoda Kushaq.

Not a five-seater

As a four-seater, the Kushaq is brilliant. The seats are slightly scooped out for all four passengers and the side bolstering does well to keep the passengers cocooned in their seats. However, due to the bolstering of the outer seats at the rear, the middle passenger isn’t left feeling all that comfortable. While this seat can be used for small children, adults will have a hard time finding enough room. This is one area where the Kushaq lags behind its Korean rivals like the Creta and Seltos.

Performance over fuel-efficiency

When it comes to fuel efficiency, you don’t need to outrightly disregard the Skoda Kushaq. However, you need to know that both the Kushaq’s engines can deliver a decent fuel efficiency, if they are driven with a light foot. However, if you love the power that these engines have to offer and would often end up exercising your right to extract this power by simply stomping your right foot down, then, you will find the fuel efficiency figure dropping really quickly. It’s good to have that performance looming in the background as it makes the daily drive effortless, and there is no harm in occasionally letting the horses under the bonnet loose as well, just as long as you take it easy most of the time.

Skoda Kushaq Variants

The Skoda Kushaq has a simple variant nomenclature which is split between three main variants – Active, Ambition and Style. Apart from these, there is one low-end variant called the Onyx Edition, which packs in a light serving of features, and one more such variant (Style No Sunroof) at the higher end of the spectrum that offers most features, but misses out on the sunroof. There is a dual tone paint scheme available with some variant combos, but it costs extra over the prices mentioned below.

Best Skoda Kushaq Variant to buy?

If you are shopping around for the smaller 1.0-litre engine with a manual transmission, we suggest you take a look at the Style (No Sunroof) variant. It offers most of the features at a decent price. However, if you are looking to buy the smaller 1.0-litre engine with the automatic transmission, we suggest you pick the Ambition variant as it is the most value-for-money pick. As far as the larger 1.5-litre engine goes, the Ambition variant with a manual transmission will work best for those who want performance on a strict budget, but it does miss out on some fun features. As for those who want the DSG, we suggest you go the full nine yards and pick the top style variant.

Summary

The Skoda Kushaq is one of the better all-rounders in its segments and that makes it one of the better SUVs around. If you bring one home, it’s going to agree well with most members of your family and the Skoda badge value is an added bonus on top.