Skoda will soon be rolling out a safety feature update on the Kushaq. Top-end Style automatic variants of the mid-size SUV will be updated with additional side and curtain airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The launch is expected in the coming weeks.
- Skoda Kushaq style automatic to get 6 airbags, TPMS
- Only Style manual currently gets 6 airbags and TPMS
- Kushaq Style automatic is currently priced between Rs 15.80-17.60 lakh
Skoda Kushaq: safety features update
The Skoda Kushaq is available in three trims – Active, Ambition and Style. Interestingly, manual versions of the Kushaq in the top-spec Style trim get 6 airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system, but these features have been omitted on the pricier automatic variants. Understandably, this was a measure to keep the prices of the top-spec AT variants under check, and at par with the competition.
While that’s a huge miss, particularly on a fully loaded variant, Skoda will soon be updating the Style automatic variants of the Kushaq with side and curtain airbags and also a TPMS. Meanwhile, the base Active and mid-spec Ambition trims will continue with dual front airbags only. Other safety features on the Kushaq include ABS with EBD, TCS, rear-parking camera, auto headlamps and wipers, a multi-collision braking system and hill start assist. All variants will also come fitted with ESC as standard.
However, the safety feature update will inevitably increase the prices of the Style automatic variants of the Kushaq. Compared to its Korean rivals, the Kushaq still misses out on a few notable features.
Skoda Kushaq: engine and gearbox details
The Kushaq gets two engine options – a 1.0-litre TSI and a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine. The smaller capacity engine is available on all three trims of the Kushaq, while the 1.5-litre TSI is reserved only for the Style trim.
The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI unit on the Kushaq produces 115hp and 178Nm, and the larger 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI unit develops 150hp and 250Nm. Both engines get a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. Automatic gearbox options include a 6-speed torque converter for the 1.0 TSI and a 7-speed DSG for the 1.5 TSI.
Upcoming Skoda launches in India: 2021 and beyond
The next major launch from the Czech carmaker in India will be an all-new mid-size sedan (likely to be called the Skoda Slavia), replacing the ageing Rapid. The upcoming sedan will also be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, just like the Kushaq, and will be launched sometime in early 2022. Skoda also has the facelifted Kodiaq petrol on the cards for India, which too will arrive sometime next year.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
