The mid-size SUV market in India is really hotting up with about a dozen models on offer, many which are all new. So, with the Kushaq having launched back in 2021, Skoda needed an update to keep it fighting fit. Enter the 2026 facelift, there’s the requisite styling update, some feature enhancements and unlike typical facelifts, there’s some notable technical changes too, so let’s get started with the tech bits first.
Skoda Kushaq Performance and Refinement
Like before the new Skoda Kushaq carries on with its two petrol only engine options, the 115hp 1.0-litre turbo-direct injection engine and the 150hp 1.5-litre turbo direct injection unit. The big news however is introduction of a new 8-speed automatic (AQ300) on the 1.0 litre engine that replaces the earlier 6-speed unit (AQ250); both being torque convertor units sourced from gearbox maker Aisin. The 1.0 litre engine also has the option of a 6-speed manual whereas the 1.5 litre powerplant comes mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic only.
The new 8-speed autobox helps lower emissions and fuel consumption and what’s changed is the tendency the old car had to leap forward from a standstill, the new cars start-off roll is still a bit eager, but it’s much better than before.
On the move shifts are very smooth and seamless, as most torque convertor units are, and what’s also really nice is that manual shifts – effected via the paddles or tiptronic gear lever – are very quick with an almost DSG like character to them, where you can sense the shift taking place. In manual mode it also allows for a high rev limit before an automatic upshift; in 1st and 2nd this happens at about 5800rpm whereas in 3rd it will rev till the 6000rpm redline before the shift up. It makes for a very engaging drive feel and the 1.0 litre engine can be coaxed into being a willing participant providing for a decent level of performance. Our initial testing clocked a 0 to 100kph time of 11.57seconds, which is much quicker than the previous 6-speed AT’s time of 13.16 seconds.
If there is any complaint of the gearbox, it’s that all ratios now feel very short, 3rd gear maxes out a rather low 102kph and cruising in 8th at 100kph has the engine ticking a little over the 2000rpm mark, a bit higher than what would be ideal. This also means you are very close to the level where the engine note gets quite coarse. At idle, especially when cold, you can easily hear the rough note typical of a 3-cyl engine. It settles down when driven in a relaxed manner but extend the engine beyond 2500rpm, like when overtaking, and the course note does come through. For what is the smaller – less powerful petrol engine option, refinement should have been better and Skoda would do well to increase the insulation package on the car.
The 4-cylinder, 1.5 litre automatic remains the same as before and delivers an effortlessly strong performance and a brisk flat-out acceleration and shifts via the paddles are expectedly quick. In our tests, the pre-facelifted car clocked 9.54 seconds for the 0 to 100kph time and this should remain the same with the update. Between the two, this engine would be the one to have, not only for the stronger performance but also because it feels smoother, and with its cylinder deactivation tech is efficient too. The system shuts down two of the four cylinders during low engine load cruising and the switching is imperceptible with only a ‘2-cylinder mode’ notification on the IP indicating its activation.
Like the smaller engined car, insulation is wanting here too and when revved hard – which it likes to do – the engine boom grows quite loud. The lower levels of insulation also mean road noise from a course surface does come through quite easily.
Skoda Kushaq Mileage and Efficiency
With the new Kushaq, Skoda claims an all-around increase in efficiency. The 8-speed auto expectedly sees a sizeable jump, with the ARAI figure now at 19.09kpl as against 15.78kpl for the previous 6-speed AT version. The 1.5 litre DSG also sees a gain with an 18.72kpl claimed figure as against an earlier 17.71kpl. Interestingly the 1.0 AT is now more efficient that the 1.5 DSG which was not the case earlier. The 1.0 manual too sees a gain from 17.88kpl to 19.66kpl.
We’ll have to wait until we can put the new Kushaq through our standard instrumented fuel efficiency test cycles, however, on this drive the 1.0 litre automatic Kushaq had an MID indicated average efficiency of 11.7kpl over a mixed city and highway cycle. For reference in our standard cycle the previous 6-speed AT Kushaq returned an average of 10.45kpl (8.5kpl city and 12.4kpl highway).
Skoda Kushaq Ride Comfort and Handling
Ride and handling is typically European with a firm low speed ride that improves as you go faster. This means there’s a sharp edge to the low-speed ride over broken ruts and potholes, and due to the lower cabin insulation, you hear the suspension at work too which adds to the firm-ride impression. As you build up speed, pliancy improves and it gets quite comfy and between the two cars, ride quality on the 1.5 litre felt a slight bit better. Driving briskly over a dirt trail saw a good ride and body control too. Roll is also well contained around corners and there’s excellent grip on hand. The steering is light and could do with a bit more weight at speeds. As for braking, the 1.5 litre car now gets rear disc and braking performance feels strong and confident.
Skoda Kushaq Features and Safety
The Kushaq was never well-equipped and with the update Skoda has addressed some of the short comings if not all. There’s the crowd favourite, a panoramic sunroof on top spec cars while every other variant gets a single pane unit. Alloy wheels – in multiple patterns, auto HVAC, rain sensing wipers, rear wash-wipe, and an auto dimming IRVM are now standard across the range.
There’s a new 10.24 inch fully digital instrument panel which has quite a few display options including twin-dials and on the Monte Carlo trim there’s an additional single dial display too along with of course a different aesthetic. The dashboard unit remains the same with just a tweak to the décor bits and on the Monte Carlo edition the red is now a deeper terracotta like shade which looks richer than the previous cars blood red shade. The steering wheel too carries forward and it nice to the grip and comes with the lovely knurled scrollers which have a nice quality feel to them.
There’s also dual-colour ambient lighting and an onboard Google powered AI assistant, though compared to others it has limited functions and requires you to share your phones data connection, which annoyingly though kills Android Auto connectivity. The big feature addition though is that of rear seat massagers. Yes, seat massagers, which is unique to this segment and the one above too. For what is largely a self-driven car though, the decision to offer massagers at the rear only seems odd. Front seat massagers or even rear seat cooling would feel like a better. Currently front seats offer ventilation while rear have the back massagers.
Other features include a 6-way powered front seats, front parking sensors and a rear camera. It would have been nice to see Skoda get rid of the touch panel HVAC controls and provide a 360-degree camera or at least a crisper rear unit as the feed is a bit grainy. On the safety front there’s 6 airbags and ESP standard and Skoda say the new car too is engineered for a 5-star crash rating.
Skoda Kushaq Interior Space and Comfort
Front seat ventilation offers two speeds and works quite well, notably though Skoda has improved the AC performance on the new Kushaq. We had often reported that the AC performance was quite weak with you having to resort to keeping the temperature setting at least 2 degrees lower than you would in another car or crank up the fan speed. This was apparently due to Skoda using a fixed displacement compressor which has been swapped out for a variable displacement unit. The cooling improvement is noticeable and while this isn’t peak summer still, at no time did we need to crank up the fan speed.
Space inside remains the same as before, so rear headroom and legroom is quite sufficient, however it does not feel as spacious as newer rivals like the Tata Sierra or the new Kia Seltos. The panoramic sunroof does add to the airy feel. All seats are also comfy with the right level of firmness and a whole day of driving left us with no complaints. The rear seat massagers are provided on the two outer seats and go up from your lower to mid back region, with only the shoulder area not covered. The massage pattern or intensity cannot be varied so it’s a simple on of off function. It works well but is on the lighter side feeling more like a back rub than a firm kneading, which I though prefer.
In terms of interior storage there’s a large glove box and the door pockets are spacious too. Boot space remains the same at 385 - litres but its really very well shaped and we managed to pack in six cabin bags quite easily.
Skoda Kushaq Exterior Design and Engineering
Being a facelift the Kushaq carries on with the previous cars MQB-AO-IN underpinnings and while sheet metal like the bonnet, fenders or tailgate remain the same the facelift is still quite dramatic. At the front there’s a new bumper with larger air-intake area and the fog lights are now slimmer and have a vertical extension at their outer edges. The grille is now wider and features a segmented DRL running right through it, similar to its larger sibling the Kodiaq and gives the front end quite a distinctive look. The headlights now have a new DRL eyebrow like signature at the top as opposed to the previous car L-shaped design below.
The side remains the same except for new alloy wheel and every variant gets its own unique design so there’s as many as six patterns on offer. At the rear too sheet metal remains unchanged but with a new bumper and taillight signature it looks very distinctive. The taillights have a different lighting pattern and are now connected and instead of doing a continuous light bar, Skoda has opted for a segmented section along with an illuminated Skoda lettering in the center. On the whole its nice and striking without looking too over the top.
Skoda Kushaq Value for Money
Skoda has put a lot of effort into this update, addressing aesthetics, features and technical updates too. Pricing isn’t out as yet but you can expect a starting price of around Rs. 11 lakh for entry Classic+ variant 1.0 litre manual, and about Rs. 12 lakh for the 8-speed auto. The 1.5 meanwhile should top out at Rs. 19 lakh, all prices ex-showroom. There are of course still some shortcomings; the overall size and stance is compact and that’s not what most buyers here want. NVH levels remain high and while equipment has been enriched there’s still missing bits like a 360-degree camera, a branded audio system or an ADAS system.
But it gets all the basics, a few nice to have features and of course there’s the rear seat massagers, which if you are chauffer driven or buying the car for someone who is, makes for an interesting USP. It’s also spacious and comfy enough for most adults and those who drive will enjoy the lively and peppy nature of the car. The 1.5 litre engine serves up a strong and effortless performance and the smaller 1.0 litre engine with the 8-speed torque convertor delivers a smooth and seamless drive feel but can also serve up performance to a very acceptable extent when called for. The handling character is also stable and secure thus all in all, the Kushaq will easily delight those who enjoy driving. To sum up then, the Kushaq isn’t class best in certain areas but it delivers enough to keep you interested and with the update, Skoda has managed to keep it fighting fit.
Saumil Shah
Nikhil Bhatia
Lenny D'sa
Hormazd Sorabjee
