Skoda starts delivering Kushaq compact SUVs in India

Recently, a video of Kushaq arriving at the dealership surfaced online. Now, the dealerships have commenced deliveries of the Kushaq to the customers. Currently, Kushaq only with 1.0-litre TSI is being delivered to the customers. The deliveries of the 1.5-litre TSI will start from the first week of August. The booking amount for the SUV is Rs. 25,000. In just 10 days, Skoda Auto was able to bag 2,500 bookings for the Kushaq.

The video is uploaded on Power On Wheel’s YouTube channel. The Kushaq is the first product under Skoda’s India 2.0 strategy. So, Skoda has worked on increasing localization and using one platform for its vehicles. The new platform is called MQB A0 IN. Because of the new platform, the Kushaq offers one of the best wheelbases in the segment of 2,651 mm. The upcoming Volkswagen Taigun will also be using the same platform. Skoda is also working on a new sedan that will sit above Rapid. It is codenamed ANB and it will also use the same platform.

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Engine and gearbox

The Kushaq is offered with a 1.0-litre TSI and a 1.5-litre TSI. The 1.0-litre TSI produces 115 PS of max power and 178 Nm of peak torque. It is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. This is the same engine and gearbox combination that we have seen on the Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento and the Volkswagen Polo GT. But the engine has been slightly retuned to produce more power and torque output.

Then there is the 1.5-litre TSI which enthusiasts will appreciate. The engine produces 150 PS of max power and 250 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Volkswagen is using the DQ200 DSG gearbox which is known for transmission failures in the past but the manufacturer says they have worked on the gearbox and it is now reliable as they have tested it. Only time will tell how the DQ200 gearbox holds up.

Variants

The Kushaq is being offered in three variants. There are Active, Ambition and Style. The Active is the base variant and the Style is the top-end variant. However, there might be a new top-end Monte Carlo variant that Skoda introduces in the future.

The Active variant is only offered with a 1.0 TSI that too only with a manual gearbox. In the other two variants, you can get an automatic transmission with the 1.0 TSI. The 1.5 TSI is only offered with the Style variant and you can both an automatic as well as a manual gearbox.

Price and competitors

The Kushaq starts at Rs. Rs.10.50 lakhs ex-showroom while the top-end variant costs Rs. 17.60 lakhs ex-showroom. The Kushaq will be going against other mid-size SUVs such as Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Renault Duster, Nissan Kicks, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Because of its high price, the Kushaq also goes against Tata Harrier and MG Hector. Volkswagen will also be launching their Taigun which will share its underpinnings, engine and transmission with the Kushaq.

Also read: Skoda Kushaq SUV”s official launch & price announcement timeline revealed officially