Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq sports a signature Skoda design theme, with its creases and body cuts along with the crystalline components and LED strips for the headlamps, along with the neat grille. The Kushaq conveys an impression of being larger than its actual dimensions. The Kushaq has the longest wheelbase at 2651 mm along with good proportions and 17-inch Atlas alloy wheels. The design feels European and premium while the Kushaq has a flat roof. There is the C-pillar with a chrome accent and the tail lamps have an eye-catching effect at the back. 

The TSI 1.5 litre engine is powerful and offers good power and torque figures while coming with the smooth shifting 7-speed twin-clutch DSG unit. The Kushaq can get to 100 kmph in only 9.54 seconds while it is also good for great power delivery while driving. It is smooth with robust acceleration and the power surge makes driving more enjoyable. The DSG unit does have a little hesitation after slowing down the SUV although the engine is refined and loves being pushed. However, it does get a little noisy at higher speeds. Paddle shifters come as standard features while there is also cylinder deactivation. The engine spreads out torque neatly and there is only some turbo lag at the beginning. The tall gearing is another plus point for drivers. It is a good cruiser on the highway and also a consummate performer in the city. The manual transmission unit is not as smooth as the DSG unit although it does reasonably well. 

The 1.0 TSI engine does not have the same level of performance although it does offer a fair bit of sportiness. It is a three cylinder engine but there are good revs and you can push it considerably as well. Turbo lag is there beneath the 1,800 RPM mark although downshifting will get the engine surging again and the Kushaq will take off neatly after 2,000 RPM. Acceleration is robust and is quite impressive for an engine of this size. The TSI works splendidly with the 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission unit. Leisurely up-shifting is a breeze and you can touch 100 kmph in 13 seconds. 

• Petrol Manual- 19.2 kmpl
• Petrol Automatic- 17.7 kmpl 

The Skoda Kushaq can take the fight to all its rivals with its impeccable drivability, handling, and ride quality. There is a stiff MQB chassis and neat suspension system which offer great driving dynamics. The steering is excellently configured and is also light. However, there is still good feedback overall and you get more confidence at higher speeds and also while cornering the SUV. The Kushaq offers great stability at higher speeds on the highway with excellent ride quality even over rough roads and potholes. The Kushaq takes care of sharp bumps and ruts in a manner which other competitors will find it hard to match, owing to its great suspension tuning. The brakes are also good enough and give sufficient confidence while driving. The lighter 1.0 version is better at cornering and feels leaner and more responsive. 

Skoda offers a two-spoke steering wheel with a floating hub and great controls. The dashboard looks smooth with a few three dimensional components as well. The hexagonal vents get chrome touches and there is the nice multi-texture dash strip for more texture. The cabin feels big and airy although there are some plastics which fall short on the quality front. The grab handles and air vents do not feel as premium to use. The woven roof liner is also basic and there is no shroud for concealing the sunroof system when the blind is pulled back. The seats offer good support and reasonable comfort. The front seats are also extremely supportive with great placement for the pedals. The front seats are cooled but they are not powered. The rear has a lot of space and legroom is one of the best in the segment while headroom is also quite impressive. The backrest has an ideal angle. Rear air conditioning and USB ports are also nifty additions. The interiors are filled with several storage zones including door pockets and a sizable glovebox, elbow box and cup holders. You also get a tray with the wireless charging pad and small phone pockets into the back of the seats. There is a 385-litre boot which is slightly smaller than other rivals and gets a higher loading lip. 

Skoda offers good tech in the Kushaq, including the 10-inch high resolution touch screen infotainment system with Skoda Play apps, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can capture data in real-time and track the vehicle along with using the valet mode with limits. There is a semi-digital instrument cluster while the air conditioner gets touch-sensitive controls. There is also a wireless charging pad, rear air conditioning, and USB ports. Cooled seats are also provided although some features have been skipped including the 360-degree camera, a premier audio system, complete connected car features, driving modes, panoramic sunroof and electric parking brake along with a powered driver’s seat. 

The Skoda Kushaq has several safety features including six airbags, EBC, ABS, ESC, TPMS, traction control, multi-collision braking, brake assist, and the electronic differential lock. 

There are three variants, namely Ambition, Active, and Style. The base trim has decent features and offers higher value for buyers. The Active variant comes with basic features along with a 7 inch touch screen infotainment system, manual air conditioning, power windows, power socket, and all the basic safety features, making it a value buy at its price point. The Ambition variant is priced considerably higher, giving you two transmission choices, LED DRLs and headlights, electrically foldable ORVMs, the 10 inch touch screen infotainment unit, automatic climate control, connectivity features, rear AC, cruise control, ambient lighting and more safety features. This is also a value pick for those not wishing to overspend in the segment. The top-end Style variant is understandably expensive although it gets all the bells and whistles, including the two engine choices, full LED tail lights, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, auto wipers and headlamps, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, single-pane sunroof, leather upholstery, keyless entry with push-button start, TPMS, and many other additions. 

The Skoda Kushaq is the smallest in its category where it takes on the Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Renault Duster, MG Hector, and the Volkswagen Taigun. It also has the smallest boot space but has a long wheelbase. The Hector is the biggest SUV here. The Nissan Kicks offers the highest ground clearance. The Creta and Seltos have the most powerful naturally aspirated petrol engines. The Kushaq is somewhere in the middle. The Kushaq also lacks a diesel variant. The Kushaq is slotted at the higher end of the price spectrum while being a competitive option for buyers. The prices are slightly higher than the Creta and Seltos. However, the 1.0 TSI automatic line-up is more affordable at the entry-level and top-end trim point in comparison to the Creta and Seltos. The 1.5 TSI is more affordable at the top-end than them but costlier at the starting level. The Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster are the most affordable SUVs in this category while the MG Hector is the most expensive. 

The Skoda Kushaq misses some key features and does not look like a full-blown SUV. It can also be costly at the higher end. However, the overall package feels excellent, with the stylish design, great engines, excellent performance, and decent features overall. As a package from Skoda, overall, the car feels like a value buy with the kind of refinement and premium-ness that one would expect. The only thing is that a diesel variant is not available and this could be a deterrent for some buyers who cover longer distances on a regular basis.