Kamal Ghorui
Skoda Auto India today launched the much-anticipated Skoda Kushaq facelift SUV in the Indian market, priced from Rs 10.69 lakh (ex-showroom). Pre-bookings are already underway; interested customers can book the SUV online or at their nearest dealership. Deliveries are expected to begin soon. Skoda is offering an extended warranty of up to six years, six years corrosion warranty and three years for the paint. The SUV continues to compete with the VW Taigun, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Tata Sierra and Maruti Suzuki Victoris. The new Kushaq is offered in five variants: Classic Plus, Signature, Sportline, Prestige, and Monte Carlo. Detailed variant-wise prices below.
Mechanically, there are no changes; it continues to offer two engine options: a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo petrol with 115 hp and 175 nm of torque. Another engine is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo diesel with 150 hp and 250 nm. Gearbox options include only a 7-speed DSG for the 1.5. The smaller 1.0-litre gets a 6-speed manual, along with a new 8-speed torque converter auto, which replaces the 6-speed torque converter auto.The overall silhouette of the SUV remains the same; however, it now gets a completely reworked front and rear end. Up front, it now features a redesigned grille with chrome accents, slimmer headlamps, and a new LED DRL signature that extends across the grille. The lower section gets a fresh skid plate, while the bumper adopts a honeycomb-style design. Changes along the sides are subtle, limited to newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels and thicker black cladding that enhances the SUV’s road presence. At rear, it gets a redesigned tailgate with new connecting LED taillights and a glowing ‘SKODA’ lettering. Other highlights include a shark fin antenna, silver skid plate, rear wiper with washer, roof rails, integrated spoiler and more.Moving inside, the overall layout is still the same with minor changes. It continues to get a capacitive climate control panel, two spoke steering wheel and control panels. Features-wise, it gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Car Play/Android Auto, a 10.25-inch fully digital cluster, a six-speaker Skoda sound system with subwoofer and amplifier, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, leatherette seats, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, Ai companion powered by Google, segment-first rear massager and more.Safety features include six airbags, ABS, EBD, traction control, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, all-wheel disc brakes, rain sensing wiper, defogger, auto IRVM and also gets five star rating by GNCAP for both adult and child occupants
