Skoda has pulled the covers off the Kushaq facelift, with pre-bookings now open and the price announcement set for March. The new Kushaq features revised exterior styling, a more premium interior, a longer list of creature comforts, some much-needed additions and a new powertrain option.
The Kushaq continues to rival midsize SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Tata Sierra, Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara and Victoris, and Honda Elevate, among others.
- Kushaq facelift gets updated headlights and bumpers, new alloys, rear LED light bar
- Cabin includes panoramic sunroof, rear-seat massager, new digital driver’s display, etc
- 1.0 TSI engine gets new 8-speed AT option, while 1.5 TSI features rear disc brakes
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift exterior and interior changes
Thoroughly updated on the outside
Up front, the Kushaq facelift adopts the latest iteration of Skoda’s Modern Solid design language, sporting sleek LED headlights with eyebrow-like daytime running lamps (DRLs) and L-shaped signatures bridged by a segmented light bar in the grille – a detail borrowed from the new Kodiaq. The bumper has also been redesigned and includes an angular, ridged silver skid plate. In the sportier Kushaq Monte Carlo trim, the grille gets two red stripes, chrome fitments are replaced with gloss black trim, and there's exclusive badging all around.
Not much has changed on the side, save for new alloy wheels ranging from 16 to 17 inches in diameter, depending on the variant. At the back, though, the Kushaq facelift notably features an LED light bar with illuminated ‘SKODA’ lettering and sequential turn indicators. Skoda has also introduced three new colours for the Kushaq facelift, namely Cherry Red, Shimla Green and Steel Grey.
Inside, the facelifted Kushaq is a more upmarket affair than the outgoing model, with a black-and-beige finish in the Prestige trim and crimson colour scheme in the Monte Carlo variants. While the overall layout is largely similar to the prior model, the Kushaq facelift gets an all-new 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen running slicker software, dual-colour ambient lighting and, most prominently, a panoramic sunroof.
The Kushaq facelift even has a 491-litre boot, which is up 106 litres over the outgoing model, though this may be the result of Skoda now measuring luggage capacity up to the roof instead of the parcel tray.
Kushaq facelift features
Validating our prior report, the Kushaq facelift is equipped with a segment-first massage function for the rear seats. Also on offer are 6-way powered front seats with ventilation, front parking sensors, leatherette seats, automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6-speaker sound system and a wireless charging pad, to name a few.
Additionally, Skoda has baked the Google Gemini AI assistant into the Kushaq facelift’s infotainment system, enabling access to news and real-time info, as well as hands-free operation of in-car functions. Safety is taken care of via standard features such as 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, rain-sensing wipers, traction control, electronic differential lock, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror (IRVM), and more. The Kushaq facelift also carries over the 5-star Global NCAP rating of the prior model.
2026 Skoda Kushaq facelift engine and gearbox
New 8-speed AT option for 1.0 TSI engine
The most notable update under the Kushaq facelift’s skin is the addition of a new 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox option for the 115hp 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, replacing the prior 6-speed unit and validating yet another prior report of ours. This engine can be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox as well.
1.5 TSI variants finally get rear disc brakes
Buyers who want more punch can go for the Kushaq facelift’s 150hp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine option, which comes paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic only. With the Kushaq facelift, Skoda has finally included rear disc brakes for the 1.5 TSI variants – a much-requested addition.
Kushaq facelift buyers also get a standard 4-year/1,00,000km warranty – extendable to 6 years – and 4 years of roadside assistance, as well as four free labour services for up to 2 years/30,000km.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.
Lenny D'sa
Saptarshi Mondal
Uday Singh
