2026 Skoda Kushaq Short Review: What We Liked & What Needs To Improve

Skoda’s first made-for-India-made-in-India SUV developed a reputation for enjoyable driving dynamics coupled with sensibility for family use. The improvements include some segment firsts but with a segment evolving at its current pace, the changes do still seem to speak to the same niche buyers as before.

Skoda Kushaq Looks

For a car with the Kushaq’s understated European appeal, a facelift could’ve turned things polarising. Thankfully, the design alterations make it more remarkable while avoiding any shoutyness. The new headlights with a fresh DRL signature, tweaked grille with illuminated elements a la Kodiaq, modernise the look while the rear light bar is executed thoughtfully too.

Nope, no connected LEDs, just a unique signature including the brand name illuminated in the rear. The side profile looks largely the same, save for the updated design for the 17-inch alloy wheels. Get the Monte Carlo and you ride on the same wheels that this sporty persona of the Kushaq got before, along with the red-painted brake calipers for the racier look.

However, with these alterations, the Kushaq doesn’t step past the issue of size perception. It still looks a size smaller than the competition owing to the squared off stance and difference in overall length.

Skoda Kushaq Space & Quality

Like before, the Skoda Kushaq works very well as a 4-seater with a good amount of legroom, knee room and headroom for backseat owners. A six-footer can sit behind himself with space to spare. Users over 6ft tall will also like the front seat’s travel-range that lets them stretch out. 

However, the powered driver’s seat mechanism does limit how low the seat can go. So tall users (especially those who wear headgear) will want more headroom in the front seat if they get the Prestige or Monte Carlo (only variants to get electric seat adjustment). It’s also still a cabin that isn’t especially wide, so you do sit a bit intimately with the person next to you compared to say, a Seltos or Sierra.

Get the Prestige variant and you also get new beige seats that liven up the cabin though the other variants get a black and greige interior or all black with maroon (titling slightly towards burgundy) contrast panels and stitching.

Quality doesn’t see an uptick. While the first lot of Kushaqs did have some fitment flaws, Skoda made corrections and improvements leading up to the launch of the facelift, which continues with the fixes. Is it well-built and premium? Yes, but there are one too many textures and finishes on the dashboard in my opinion, and the plastic finish in itself is just par for the course.

Skoda Kushaq Tech 

The tech upgrades aren’t plenty but significant nonetheless. The Kushaq gets segment first rear massaged seats in the Prestige and Monte Carlo variants. While they don’t get massage-modes or even a light to tell you if they’re engaged, they are effective even for those of a hefty build.

Feature additions aside, what stands out is how much equipment you get in the entry-level variants. 

8 Notable Standard Features:

The Kushaq’s infotainment package includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. The system offers good touch response and speed but the user interface is a touch cluttered and needs some time to get the hang of. 

It now includes an AI-assistant powered by Google Cloud as well. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (virtual cockpit) also gives you multiple drive views including a classic analogue display. It doesn’t relay your phone maps feed here (like the Nexon, Sierra, Duster, XUV7XO, among others) but you do get turn-by-turn navigation inputs.

Skoda Kushaq Boot

Measuring 385-491 litres (to the parcel tray-to the roof), the Kushaq’s boot is as practical as before. It may not look very large on first impressions, but scores big on usability thanks to its depth. A full suitcase set fits in here with space to spare, and it’s easily among the most practical boots in the segment following the Tata Sierra and new Renault Duster.

Skoda Kushaq Drive & Ride

The Kushaq continues with the same engine options as before but replaces the 6-speed automatic of the 1-litre engine with a new AISIN-developed 8-speed automatic transmission. The change brings with it two incremental improvements - more smoothness off the line and a marginal increase in fuel-efficiency (~4 percent in test cycles). Gear changes with the new transmission are slightly smoother but the gearbox still matches the behaviour of the Kushaq i.e. it’s mischief-ready when you want it to be. 

Paddle-shifters are still part of the package and manual mode allows for more aggressive shifts than most DCTs in the segment do! It’s an appreciable jekyll and hyde nature that gives you good everyday usability balanced with engagement on command. 

Otherwise, the drive experience stays familiar. The car still sits at around 2100-2200rpm at 100kmph in top gear (same as the 1 TSI 6-speed and 1.5 TSI DCT) and offers strong performance even if you don’t move up to the 1.5TSI. 

However, should you choose the upgrade of the bigger engine, here’s where you see the benefits:

1. Smoother and more responsive gear changes.

2. Better refinement owing to the 4-cylinder configuration, especially at idle.

3. Stronger mid-range and top-end punch - the 1.5TSI is a notably wilder animal when pushed hard and swaps the 1-TSI’s impressive performance for something jaw-dropping. 

Ride quality remains balanced as before. There is a touch of firmness felt at low speeds that cars like the Creta, Grand Vitara and Seltos cushion better, but it’s not to the point of being uncomfortable, nor will you find yourself slowing down to a crawl over bad roads. The benefit is sharp high speed manners. Even over horrendously leveled concrete roads, the Kushaq feels stable and corrects imperfections quickly, making it a good tool for long distance driving.

Skoda Kushaq Safety

Standard safety features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC) and rear parking sensors among many others. Higher variants add front parking sensors, and a rear camera as well.

Unfortunately, a 360-degree camera is missing and worse still, the rear camera quality is simply too poor for a car that can cost over Rs 22 lakh on-road. 

Skoda also doesn’t offer any advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Lane-keep-assist and blind-spot monitoring would have been good add-ons for a car with the Kushaq’s enjoyable highway manners.

To Summarise

If you were the slightly niche buyer who was looking to buy the Skoda Kushaq in the first place and were on the fence about it, the car now gives you more reasons to just jump the fence and bring one home. 

It remains one of those designs that's quite timeless and will age well. Simultaneously it’s doing a better job of turning heads too. It's also one of the better driving, riding, and handling packages in the segment and backs it up with two engine and transmission options that are plenty enthusiast-friendly while also being adequately easy to use on a daily basis. 

The cabin space is good as ever, at least for four people, and while the boot space may not look like it, it's actually one of the more practical options in the entire segment. Its strong safety package also makes it an easy sell to the family. Essentially, it’s the Skoda Kushaq, just better.

What are your thoughts on the new Kushaq? Let us know in the comments below!