Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq is available with two engine options. And both are fuel. There is no diesel available, and there will be none in the future. The less expensive, less powerful, and lower capacity one-litre TSI is manufactured in India. It produces 115bhp and is available with a six-speed manual or a torque converter automatic transmission.

The TSI 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is an imported one. It, too, comes with a six-speed manual transmission, while the automatic is a seven-speed DSG.

The engine produces 150bhp and torque of 250Nm. So it's certainly not lacking in venom. However, it also has cylinder deactivation. In other words, when the engine is under strain, it shuts down two of its cylinders. As a result, fuel is saved. The Kushaq doesn't feel like a 150bhp vehicle on the road.

Under strong acceleration, a 150bhp car should ideally pin you to your seat and put your front tyres on fire (figuratively) as it fights to find purchase against asphalt.

The Kushaq does none of these things. It's not that it's slow. It's still fast, lively, and enjoyable to drive. But it's a lot nicer than we expected. Having said that, it reacts fast to throttle inputs; the engine gathers revs rapidly; and, while the decibel levels grow dramatically as the rpm rise, there's no real crudeness to speak of.

Meanwhile, the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission works nicely with the engine. The paddle shifters provide for quick and simple control of the shifts.

And, whether taking on the twisties with a hefty right foot or driving like a sloth, the DSG excels at both. It enables the engine to flirt with the redline while also allowing it to short shift through the gears with similar sensitivity.

The Kushaq is already known to be built on the MQB AO-IN platform. It is an Indianized, substantially localized, and less costly version of the platform on which its more expensive, wholly imported older sister, the Karoq, is built. So, has it lost the European edge that we've learned to appreciate in Skodas over the years?

As it turns out, whether it's the front or back doors, or even the tailgate, the doors have some mass to them. The door closings are likewise snappy, as we've come to expect from European vehicles.

Furthermore, the ending is accompanied by a thunderous thump. Having said that, it is not in the same category as the Skoda Rapid.

Meanwhile, the design is appealing. Even in terms of road presence, it's not a particularly large vehicle. However, it appears to be compact while remaining robust.

With a partly LED arrangement, it has all the necessary bling aspects in its illumination. It has enough edges and lines on the side and back to make it appear younger, tauter, and more energetic. And the front bumper, in particular, makes the Kushaq stand out.

The top spec Skoda Kushaq Style trim has a lot of features that the Rapid did not. That in itself might speak well for the new SUV. It has keyless entry and ignition. The driver's seat is height adjustable.

By the way, it, like the front passenger's, is ventilated. You have a single-zone temperature control system with a touchscreen. And the new two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel is fantastic.

There's also a sunroof, wireless charging, a chilled glovebox, and plenty of storage space. There's also a driver information system, which we think is a little out of date.

And, of course, the Kushaq has a huge multimedia touchscreen panel, which is more of a hygiene feature in this price range today than one that vehicle manufacturers can brag about.

It also includes all the bells and whistles, such as wireless connectivity for Apple Carplay and Android Auto, navigation, a full trip computer, and many music playback options.

Skoda also provides a variety of connection options in the Style trim, including geo fence and valet mode. There is, however, no remote start. You also can't turn on the air conditioning and adjust the temperature before getting in the car, something the competition does.

There's ESP and six airbags, as well as a slew of acronyms ranging from ABS to EBC to MSR to EDS to TCS and TPMS. This Style level also has automatic headlamps and wipers. We had high expectations for the appearance and feel, as well as the overall quality levels, of the Kushaq's interiors.

The gleaming plastic pieces are nice. And, as previously stated, the steering, in particular, is excellent. We also enjoy how the steering wheel's rollers and buttons function.

However, plastic in general does not appear to be very upscale. Even the buttons and dials (apart from the steering wheel) lack a crisp, well-weighted, and well-engineered feel. Instead of having that tight, crisp feel that provides one with a heightened feeling of quality, there's some sloppiness in the way the seats are draped and the way the handbrake operates.

There's adequate head and elbow room for four people. There is also adequate leg and knee room for four people. The chairs are also adequately padded, comfy, and supportive. It's an automobile that can comfortably transport you over extended miles. Boot is also usable. It's big and tall, but not particularly deep.

The Kushaq's strong characteristics match the enthusiasm of its 1.5-litre engine. First and foremost, the steering, while not very pleasant, is rather precise. And, while it is light, it never leaves you feeling unclear or concerned about how the car would react.

It's simple to correctly park the SUV in the corner and make tiny adjustments if things start to go sideways. Both literally and metaphorically. Even in terms of handling, the Kushaq is solid and dependable.

It handles abrupt changes in direction effectively. It's soft in the sense that it rolls when pushed hard enough, but it's never pronounced, unmanageable, or unwieldy.

The journey is also enjoyable. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it gets the job done. It is soft and absorbent. It well-ditches the square edges and rounds the bumps, but it does not completely separate the passengers from the events of the road underneath.

However, it almost never surprises the passengers.

The Skoda Kushaq has got 5-star Global NCAP, and the automaker previously also stated that it is not only open to NCAP testing, but that it is sure that the new model will emerge as the safest option in the class.

In terms of equipment, the top-of-the-line Kushaq offers an extensive safety net, including 6 airbags, hill-hold assist, and multi-collision braking. ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, and ESC are standard on all models. However, none of the variations have rear disc brakes.

The Skoda Kushaq is expected to turn around the Czech automaker's woes in India. To accomplish so, it must compete with the Hyundai Creta and, to a lesser extent, the Kia Seltos.

Not so much to dethrone the present rulers of the Rs 10 to Rs 16 lakh SUV class, but to establish itself as a viable alternative. As we discovered, the Kushaq isn't exactly a game changer. It's well-equipped and pleasant, but the competition is as well. Furthermore, the Creta and Seltos are significantly superior in terms of feel-good elements and overall levels of quality.

Having all that, the Skoda Kushaq has several advantages. It's a pleasure to drive. It has strong drivetrain options, but it is only available in petrol form. And, in all honesty, it has a nicer, more youthful design than the Hyundai.

But, in the end, we Indian vehicle consumers cherish value. However, the prices are not inexpensive. This value is derived from features, space, comfort, resale, and brand promise, all of which are bundled at a price that pleasantly surprises us by being cheaper than anticipated! If Skoda can do this with the Kushaq, it will have a fighting chance of reviving its fortunes in India.