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Expert Review on Skoda Kushaq

  • Expert Rating
    c&b icon8.0/10
  • Safety
    8
    Comfort
    7.75
    Styling
    8
    Merit / USP
    8
    Significance
    9
    Value for Money
    8

car&bike Expert Take

“The Skoda Kushaq facelift breathes fresh life into the mid-size SUV segment. Five years on, this product is still a driver's favourite, with the latest update introducing much-appreciated tech upgrades and tidying up its exterior beautifully.”

Built on the highly localised MQB-A0-IN platform, Skoda launched the Kushaq in the Indian market in 2021, and it quickly became the brand’s most popular model in the subcontinent. The most recent 2026 facelift is a highly timely update, and Skoda’s decision also makes sense here, considering the competition in this segment is going to be more fierce once the all-new Renault Duster lands on Indian shores.

The car now has a sharper front end and smart connected tail lights, courtesy of consumer demands. Inside the cabin, you will find other major additions like panoramic sunroofs and wave-type massaging rear seats, while under the skin, you get a new eight-speed automatic for the 1.0-litre TSI engine. But sadly, the manual gearbox is entirely dead for the larger 1.5-litre variant, and it also still does not have Level 2 ADAS. Despite these few omissions, this car remains a driver-focused option in a crowded market.

After clocking 5000 kilometres on it, Seshan Vijayraghvan shared what he liked and disliked about the Kushaq, while Amaan Ahmed shared some details regarding the 2026 facelift. Their opinions are available on our website and YouTube channel, from where we have shared a few pointers here as well.

Pros

  • An engaging and spirited 1.5-litre TSI engine
  • Superb high-speed stability and sorted handling
  • Excellent five-star Global NCAP safety rating
  • Panoramic sunroof now available on top models

Cons

  • The 1.5-litre TSI does not get a manual gearbox option
  • No Level 2 ADAS tech available
  • Rearview camera quality remains grainy
  • Cabin plastics could feel slightly more upmarket in places

Verdict

The Skoda Kushaq’s latest facelift tidies up an already great package. A panoramic sunroof and massaging rear seats have given it the much-needed showroom appeal, while the new eight-speed automatic fixes the earlier low-speed drivability issues of the 1.0-litre engine. True, Skoda still forgot to pack it with Level 2 ADAS. However, for driving dynamics, it is an absolute benchmark. 

The SUV looks sharper than before, drives beautifully, and feels incredibly solid. If you value steering feel and chassis balance over an endless kit list, we can proudly say that the Kushaq is the one to park in your garage.

Seshan signs off,

“If you are looking for a car that is genuinely fun to drive and feels built to last, the Skoda Kushaq must be on your shortlist.”

Skoda Kushaq Price List (Variant Wise)

Skoda Kushaq Ex-Showroom price ranges from ₹ 10.69 to 18.99 Lakh. Skoda offers Kushaq in 11 variants. The top variant of Kushaq is Monte Carlo 1.5 TSI MT and the base variant is Classic Plus MT.

Variants
*Ex-Showroom Price
999 CC, Petrol, 19.8 KM/L, Manual
Starts at
₹ 10.69 Lakh
999 CC, Petrol, 19.1 KM/L, Automatic
Starts at
₹ 12.69 Lakh
999 CC, Petrol, 19.8 KM/L, Manual
Starts at
₹ 14.59 Lakh
999 CC, Petrol, 19.8 KM/L, Manual
Starts at
₹ 14.74 Lakh

Similar Global NCAP Crash Test

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