Volkswagen Taigun outsells sibling Skoda Kushaq 

The sales numbers for October’21 are here. It reveals that the Volkswagen Taigun has outsold Skoda Kushaq. Skoda sold 2,413 units of Kushaq and Volkswagen sold 2,551 units of Taigun during the same period.

Both the SUVs are doing quite well in the mid-size SUV segment. Also, Kushaq and Taigun have the same underpinnings, engine, gearbox and even the platform. They are using Volkswagen’s new MQB-A0-IN platform that has been specifically developed for our country. It is a low-cost version of the MQB-A0 platform that Volkswagen subsidiaries use in foreign markets. Because of the new platform, both SUVs have a wheelbase of 2,651 mm which is one of the longest in the segment.

Engine and gearbox

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Both the SUVs are offered with two turbocharged petrol engine options. There is no diesel engine on offer. You can get a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI engine that 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.

Then there is the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI engine that produces 150 PS of max power and 250 Nm of peak torque. The engine is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. This engine also comes with ACT or Active Cylinder Technology. Due to this, it can shut two of its cylinders in certain conditions. This helps in saving fuel.

Kushaq Prices and variants

Skoda Kushaq starts at Rs. 10.49 lakhs ex-showroom and goes up to Rs. 17.99 lakhs ex-showroom. It is offered in three variants. There is Active, Ambition, and Style. Now, you can also get the Style variant with 6 airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system which was only possible if you opted for the manual gearbox. The new variant costs Rs. 40,000 more than the regular Style variant. Only the top-end Style variant is offered with the 1.5 TSI engine.

Taigun Prices and variants

Volkswagen Taigun also starts at Rs. 10.49 lakhs ex-showroom and it goes up to Rs. 17.49 lakhs ex-showroom. Volkswagen offers the Taigun in two trim levels. There is Dynamic Line and Performance Line. The Dynamic Line consists of three variants. There is Comfortline, Highline and Topline. The Performance Line consists of two variants. There is GT and GT Plus. Only, the variants under Performance Line trim are offered with the more powerful 1.5 TSI engine.

The prices of both the SUVs might look a bit high when compared to the rivals. However, there is a reason for that. Skoda and Volkswagen are not offering a “base” variant of the Kushaq and Taigun. So, even the lower-spec variants come with a lot of equipment. Whereas, other automobile manufacturers offer a naked version of their SUVs which only comes with basic features.  Because of this, they are able to price their SUVs at a lower price.

Rivals

Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq compete against Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Hector, Tata Harrier, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Renault Duster, MG Astor and Nissan Kicks.

Source

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