Skoda Kushaq unveiled in India, launch expected in May

Skoda India has unveiled the 2021 Skoda Kushaq, the company's first ever vehicle designed and built in India, for India, and for global markets too. It's also the first product of many to come on the heavily localised Volkswagen Group MQB-A0 IN platform, soon to be followed by the VW Taigun in India. It's the first time we've seen the Kushaq in its production form, though its design was previewed by the Vision IN concept at Auto Expo 2020. We've driven the Skoda Kushaq in its prototype form, and you can read that review here. Its 2,651mm long wheelbase is one of its highlights, making it the longest-between-wheels in its segment. The petrol-only Skoda Kushaq is Skoda's answer to the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, and is expected to be priced between Rs 10-16 lakh, ex-showroom, when it goes on sale in May 2021. 

With exterior dimensions standing at 4,225mm in length, 1,760mm width and 1,612mm height, it's not the largest in the segment despite it having the longest wheelbase (versus the Creta's 2,610mm wheelbase). Ground clearance is 188mm, and wheel sizes start at 16-inches (steel/alloys), going up to 17-inch alloy wheels on top variants. The Kushaq's styling is dominated by the Skoda grille up front, flanked by a two-tier headlight-fog lamp setup, with LED lighting in top models, except for the fog lamps.

A similarly executed set of sculpted LED tail lights at the rear are mirrored in reflector strips at the top of the bumper, while the sides show fairly restrained styling, with a Skoda badge on the fender being the highlight. Five colour options are available - Candy White, Reflex Silver, Carbon Steel, Honey Orange and Tornado red, the latter two of which are India-exclusives. 

Inside, it's more clean, straightforward lines with Skoda's new signature two-spoke steering wheel being an instant differentiator for the Kushaq. A 10-inch touchscreen sits atop the dash, with Skoda's suite of connected tech and provision of apps, and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, apart from wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto functionality. Storage spaces are plenty, with a 2.2-litre central storage bin, and a 6.1-litre cooled glovebox, as well as a wireless charging pad, while a couple of USB Type-C ports enhance versatility at the front of the cabin. Ambient lighting is present as standard on base variants, with top variants adding ambient lighting in the door handle recesses and across the dashboard. Interestingly, the Skoda Kushaq doesn't offer a full-digital instrumentation panel, as found on its larger sibling, the Karoq. Instead the Kushaq makes do with twin analogue dials, with a monochrome digital MID between them.

As part of the Skoda Kushaq's safety suite, ESC/ISOFIX achorages is offered as standard across variants, with up to six airbags available, while a hill-hold control and tyre pressure monitoring system are optional extras. 

Like we learnt from our drive in the prototype, the Skoda Kushaq will offer a choice of two powertrains in a front-wheel drive arrangement only. First is a 1.0-litre TSI making 115PS/175Nm offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, or a 6-speed AT torque convertor, a new gearbox that debuts on the Kushaq. The second option is a 1.5-litre TSI with 150PS/250Nm torque, paired with a 6-speed MT, or a 7-speed DSG automatic (DQ200).