The Škoda Kushaq is a

subcompact crossover SUV Subcompact crossover SUV is an automobile segment used to describe the smallest segment of crossover SUV, a type of sport utility vehicle, below the compact crossover SUV. Subcompact crossover SUVs are usually based on a platform of a subcompact ...

(

B-segment The B-segment is the second smallest of the European segments for passenger cars between the A-segment and C-segment, and commonly described as "small cars". The B-segment is the largest segment in Europe by volume, accounting for 20 percent of ...

) manufactured by the Czech automaker

Škoda Auto Škoda Auto a.s. (), often shortened to Škoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer established in 1925 as the successor to Laurin & Klement and headquartered in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. Škoda Works became state owned in 1948. After 199 ...

in India since 2021. The vehicle is heavily based on the

Volkswagen T-Cross The Volkswagen T-Cross is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen. It is based on the MQB A0 platform shared with the Polo Mk6, and was officially launched in April 2019. Positioned below the T-Roc ...

and its derivative for the Indian market, the

Volkswagen Taigun The Volkswagen Taigun is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen since 2021. Manufactured in India and destined for the Indian and Mexican markets, the Taigun is based on the Volkswagen T-Cross. The ...

. The name 'Kushaq' was derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kushak' which denotes 'King' or 'Emperor'. As per Sanskrit scholars, this translation is not correct.

Overview

The vehicle was previewed as the Vision IN Concept in February 2020. The production model debuted in 18 March 2021 as the first product from

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited is the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of German automotive manufacturing company Volkswagen Group. On 7 October 2019, Volkswagen Group India announced the merger of their three Indian subsidiaries - ...

’s "India 2.0 project". The car is built on the Volkswagen Group MQB A0 IN platform dedicated for Indian market and closely related with the

. It is manufactured in Chakan,

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

, India with a local parts content of 95 percent to achieve a lower price point. The Kushaq in India is available with two petrol engine options, which are the entry-level 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI producing and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI with . The 1.0-litre engine is available with 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox options, while the 1.5-litre TSI unit, is available with a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic option. Both engines are produced at Škoda's Chakan plant. In May 2022, Škoda released the Monte Carlo edition for the Kushaq.

Powertrain

Safety

The Škoda Kushaq is equipped as standard with double frontal

airbags An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag designed to inflate extremely quickly, then quickly deflate during a collision. It consists of the airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. T ...

anti-lock brakes An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a safety anti-skid braking system used on aircraft and on land vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. ABS operates by preventing the wheels from locking up during braking, thereby maintainin ...

, i-Size anchorages, ESC (electronic stability control), multi-collision brakes, a claimed high-strength steel structure, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners and three-point seatbelts with adjustable head restraints for all passengers. The highest 'Style' trim level is additionally equipped with side and curtain airbags, hill start assistance and a tyre pressure monitor. At launch, side and curtain airbags and the tyre pressure monitor were not available on cars equipped with an automatic transmission, but this has since been corrected. The Škoda Kushaq has not been independently crash-tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (

Global NCAP The Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) is a project of the Towards Zero Foundation, a UK-registered charity. The programme aims to promote the sale of safer cars in developing markets by empowering consumers with objective info ...

) but Škoda claims they are looking forward to them testing the car. In June 2021, Škoda refused to take part in Global NCAP's voluntary vehicle sponsorship programme, but it is not clear whether they have changed this.

References

External links

Official website
{{Škoda vehicles Kushaq Crossover sport utility vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles Mini sport utility vehicles Cars introduced in 2021