Skoda Kushaq SUV explained in images: Specs, interior, expected price

Skoda Auto on Thursday took the wraps off the all-new Skoda Kushaq compact SUV, the first-ever product to be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform that has been developed specifically for the India market. Having showcased the Vision IN concept at the 2020 Auto Expo, Skoda followed it with the official name announcement for the SUV – Kushaq, derived from the Sanskrit word 'kushak' that means king or emperor. The new SUV comes with two engine options and manual, automatic, and DSG transmission options.

Skoda Kushaq will offer a wheelbase of 2,651mm, making for a spacious cabin for the SUV. It will offer room for five occupants. Styling-wise, the Kushaq aligns with Skoda’s design language. It gets LED headlights with LED DRLs and LED tail lamps. It will come in three variants, namely Active, Ambition and the range-topping Style. The entry-level Active variant will get 16-inch steel wheels, the mid-spec Ambition trim will come with 16-inch alloy wheels, and the top-of-the-line Style variant will offer bigger 17-inch alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet, the Skoda Kushaq will be offered with a choice of two TSI engines. The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol will be offered with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. It is the same 110 hp engine and transmission combo available in the Skoda Rapid. This spec will be available for the entry-level spec of the Kushaq. The higher-spec models would be powered by the 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine borrowed from the Skoda Karoq. It develops 150 hp and 250 Nm of torque.

The Kushaq will get a 25.4 cm touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with MySKODA Connect offering similar connected car technologies as its rivals. Besides these, it’ll also get ventilated front seats, wireless charging, smartphone pocket, automatic climate control and several other interior features.

The Kushaq will be sold in five colour options – Candy White, Brilliant Silver, Carbon Black, Honey Orange and Tornado Red. It has a 385-litre bootspace that can be increased to 1,405 litres by folding the rear seats.

The Kushaq will come loaded with safety features. It will offer up to six airbags, two airbags and ESC will be offered as standard. Hill-Hold Control, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlamp and cruise control features will be offered. Tyre pressure monitors will also be offered. Skoda would also throw in a reversing camera, or even a 360-degree camera with parking sensors.

Skoda is aiming the Kushaq SUV squarely towards the highly popular Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Other players in the segment also include the Nissan Kicks, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and the Renault Duster. We expect Skoda to price the Kushaq competitively somewhere between Rs 10-16 lakh (ex-showroom).