Is The 2026 Skoda Kushaq Facelift Safe Enough? It Misses Out On This Modern Feature!

Skoda has unveiled the new 2026 Kushaq in India, and it brings with it a host of upgrades, both to the exterior styling and the interior as well. The Kushaq has always been one of the safest cars in the segment, and with the new model in picture, that image will not change. Skoda has equipped the Kushaq with multiple standard and stand-out safety features that are a step up from the outgoing model. In this story, let's take a look at what the 2026 Kushaq has to offer on the safety front. 

Standard Safety Across All Trims 

The 2026 Skoda Kushaq will carry forward much of the safety kit from the outgoing model, ensuring a strong baseline of protection. All variants come equipped with 6 airbags and over 25+ active and passive safety features. These features include electronic stability control, hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, and tyre pressure monitoring system. Skoda has also announced that the facelifted Kushaq scored an impressive 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash tests.

Additional standard features on the Kushaq include an electric sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming IRVM, rear wiper and defogger, alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and speed-sensing door locks. Occupant protection is further strengthened with 3-point seatbelts and seatbelt pretensioners. 

Safety Features On Higher Trims 

The 2026 Skoda Kushaq takes a significant leap in terms of premium safety features that are offered on the higher variants. While rear parking sensors are standard, higher variants also come equipped with front parking sensors, with a reverse camera available being offered from one variant above the base. The higher variants also offer cruise control and remote car operation. 

What’s also new is the addition of disc brakes on the rear wheels. But this feature is available exclusively with variants based on the 1.5-litre TSI engine. 

What’s Still Missing? 

Although Skoda has offered a lot of safety features with the new Kushaq, it still misses out on some key features that other cars in the segment offer. Starting with an ADAS system, ever since its launch, Kushaq has not even seen a Level-1 ADAS in its feature list. Next-in-line is a 360-degree camera with a blind-spot monitor, a feature that even budget hatchbacks now offer, which is missing on the Kushaq.

Another such feature is a driver knee airbag, which is missing. While most cars usually offer an electronic parking brake, the Kushaq still uses an old-school lever for the operation of the handbrake. The last on the list is rear seat ventilation. The Kushaq does get a rear seat massage function, but the ventilation feature is still missing and could have completed the package. 

ZigSays… 

Though the prices of the new Kushaq are still awaited, what we do know for sure is that Skoda has put in all efforts to ensure maximum safety of occupants. No matter what variant you opt for, you will always be in a safe shell. And it's not just the safety equipment that makes the Kushaq so appealing; the new exterior styling and an updated feature list also contribute a lot to the package. Even with so many cars in the competition, the Kushaq surely does not fall behind.

All eyes are now on the release of the prices, which will ultimately decide the fate of the new Kushaq, whether it will be able to attract buyers the same way it did back in 2021. 

Do you think Skoda’s safety offering is enough to keep the Kushaq at the top of your shortlist? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.