The automaker has had its share of ups and downs but now it faces its biggest test yet as it will launch its first Indian-made SUV for India, the Kushaq. This is the first car model seen here as part of his India 2.0 project which he announced a while ago. The Kushaq is set to become the game-changing model for the legendary automaker, and we're driving it around to see if it's got the firepower in its wings to power the Skoda to a higher level.
ENGINE SPEC
| Price | ₹ 11.58 Lakh onwards |
|---|---|
| Mileage | 17.2 to 19.2 kmpl |
| Engine | 999 to 1498 cc |
| Safety | 5 Star (Global NCAP) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Transmission | Manual, Automatic (TC) & Automatic (DCT) |
| Seating Capacity | 5 Seater |
The Skoda Kushaq is the automaker's first SUV under 4 meters and has a length of 4,221 mm, a width of 1,760 mm and an overall height of 1,612 mm. The wheelbase of this SUV is a class-leading 2,651mm. You immediately like what you see, the clean lines of the body with sharp details on the body panels remind you of the other Volkswagen Group SUVs like Tiguan, TRoc, Kodiaq, Q2 etc. Grille with thick chrome surrounds and black vertical inlays.
All sharply designed LED headlights look stylish and are equipped with "L" shaped DRLs. Below the headlights, fog lights are in a rather unconventional but memorable position. silver, it also has metal inserts around the false air baffles placed on the edges. The bonnet comes with the typical character lines of the Skoda family in the middle that define it. On the sides, the fenders have Skoda
Emblems in chrome and gloss black, while the underside of the SUV features black fiber inserts to complement the SUV look. The glass area is large and comes with a blacked out frame. A stylish touch here is the chrome stripe that defines the fixed quarter lens, which looks great at the angle it's placed. The sides are finished with a sharp character line running through the door handles, making things quite interesting here.
Bigger and more modern. The roof also has an electric sunroof. The Kushaq is run on R17 tires in very sporty looking two-tone Atlas alloys.
INTERIOR
The Kushaq has a dark interior design. The board is flat and deep. You get this little utility spot on top of the dash where you can store your keys or small items. You also get gloss black inserts along with textured inserts on the dash, as well as metal inserts around the climate control vents. The center console features a new AVN system with 10" touchscreen, equipped with all connectivity functions and also with the integrated Skoda App Store.
This AVN system doesn't have an integrated e-sim, but it does use your mobile data to run its apps. This AVN system is very sharp and easy to use with super smooth tactile feedback. The climate control is a single zone unit with a unique and different slider for fan speed and temperature settings. Underneath are the wireless charging station and two USB-C charging stations as well as plenty of storage space.
This is a smart wireless charger that will ask you if you want to charge your phone or just put it there. The steering wheel is manually adjustable for height and reach and has a two-spoke design as in the new Octavia, comes with wrapped leather, metal with shiny inserts and carefully placed MFD buttons.
PERFORMANCE
The Skoda Kushaq is powered by two engine options, both petrol, a 1.0 liter 3-cylinder TSI engine with 115 hp and 178 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The top-of-the-range Kushaq is equipped with the 1.5-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that produces 150 hp and 250 Nm of peak torque.
This engine has a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. This is the same engine that powers the imported cars Volkswagen TRoc, Skoda Karoq CBU.
Verdict
The Kushaq is the definitive model for Skoda, and having spent some time behind the wheel, we're confident it will be the perfect model for the automaker, provided it's competitively priced. We love the look of the car, typically European, the way it drives, typically Skoda and the way it does its job impeccably. What is needed is a low price for the Kushaq to become a Skoda success story in India.