A facelifted version of the Skoda Kushaq was recently spotted in test mule form on Indian roads, sporting a handful of new styling tweaks. Skoda launched the Kushaq in 2021 as the Czech carmaker’s contender in the bustling mid-size SUV segment. With popular rivals like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos having received facelifts in the past few years, though, the aging Kushaq is due a comprehensive refresh as well.
- Skoda Kushaq facelift to get revised headlight setup and connected tail-lamps
- Level 2 ADAS to be added to Kushaq facelift's feature list
- Powertrains will be retained from current Kushaq; new 8-speed AT for 1.0-litre engine
Skoda Kushaq facelift exterior design
Minor changes on the fascia
Our exclusive spy shots reveal that up front, the Kushaq facelift will feature slightly revised headlights and lower-set (and possibly larger) fog lamp units than the current model. The front grille looks to have marginally slimmer vertical slats, and its concealed upper half may hint at a connected DRL setup similar to that of the new-gen Skoda Kodiaq. Lower down, the air dam also has a more squared-off pattern than the current Kushaq.
New alloy wheels and connected tail-lamp setup
Over to the side, the Kushaq facelift carries no apparent differences aside from a new set of blacked-out alloy wheels. Moving to the rear, though, we can see that the facelifted Kushaq will have slimmer tail-lamps that are bridged by a protruding section - perhaps an LED strip - on the tailgate. The rear bumper is heavily camouflaged, but mild updates are expected here too.
Skoda Kushaq facelift interior and features
Level 2 ADAS will be offered
While these spy shots don’t provide a glimpse at the Kushaq facelift’s cabin, we anticipate some changes on this front too. The facelifted Kushaq’s interior will likely sport new trim pieces, fresh colour options, and crucially, a longer list of features.
As we reported last year, one of the Kushaq facelift’s headline features will be a Level 2 ADAS suite, which will help bring the mid-size SUV in line with rivals like the Creta, Seltos, Astor, Elevate, Curvv, and more that offer ADAS functionality.
Skoda Kushaq facelift engine and gearbox
What community is saying on the Kushaq?
Same engine options, but a new automatic gearbox is on the way
As is typical of most facelifts, the updated Kushaq won’t feature any changes under the hood, at least initially. The 1.0-litre (115hp, 178Nm) and 1.5-litre (150hp, 250Nm) turbo-petrol engines will soldier on with their respective manual and automatic transmission options in the Kushaq facelift; 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter auto for the 1.0-litre unit, 7-speed dual-clutch auto for the 1.5-litre motor.
Notably, Skoda is planning to phase out the 6-speed auto gearbox in favour of a new 8-speed torque converter auto for the Kushaq’s 1.0-litre TSI engine. The new AISIN-sourced transmission will improve fuel efficiency, and in turn help Skoda comply with the inbound CAFE III norms. However, it's worth noting that the 8-speed auto won’t be available with the Kushaq facelift at launch, and will be introduced sometime later in 2026.
Skoda Kushaq facelift India launch details
Late 2025 or early 2026
In our recent interview with Skoda India Brand Director Ashish Gupta, he acknowledged that the carmaker’s product refresh cycles must be "shorter" in reference to a question about the Kushaq and Slavia facelifts, and that increased localisation in the past few years is key to improving on that front. Given that the average facelift cycle is three to four years, the Kushaq facelift is expected to launch in India in the late 2025 to early 2026 window.
Dipan Sur
Suraj Viswanathan
