The Škoda Kushaq is a

subcompact crossover SUV Subcompact crossover SUV is an Car classification, 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 plat ...

(

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 third largest segment in Europe by volume, accounting for 15.5% ...

) manufactured by the Czech automaker

Škoda Auto Škoda Auto Akciová společnost, 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 ow ...

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. It is positioned below th ...

and its derivative for the Indian market, the Volkswagen Taigun. The name 'Kushaq' was derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kushak' which denotes 'King' or 'Emperor'.

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, formed in 2001. On 7 October 2019, Volkswagen Group India announced the merger of their three India ...

’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 Volkswagen Taigun. It is manufactured in Chakan,

Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...

, 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. The Kushaq contains 95% local parts. In May 2022, Škoda released the Monte Carlo edition for the Kushaq. A facelifted version is expected by 2025.

Other markets

Middle East

In 2023, Škoda started exports of the Kushaq for the Middle East.

Brunei

As the follow-up of the reintroduction of Škoda Auto brand in Brunei, Škoda Auto's distributor in Brunei, TCY Motors unveiled the Kushaq, offered in Ambition and Style variants powered with 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine mated with 6-speed automatic and other Škoda cars on 24 January 2024.

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 in milliseconds during a collision and then deflate afterwards. It consists of an airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. ...

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 maintai ...

, 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. In October 2022 the Kushaq was independently rated for safety by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (

Global NCAP Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) is a project of the Towards Zero Foundation, a UK-registered charity. The programme serves as an umbrella organisation encouraging co-operation between the various New Car Assessment Programmes ...

, based on

Latin NCAP The Latin New Car Assessment Programme (Latin NCAP) is an Automobile safety rating, automobile safety assessment programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 2010, it offers independent information to consumers about the safety l ...

2016) crash-testing a Volkswagen Taigun at Volkswagen's expense, and scored five stars for adult and child occupant protection, the first car to do so under the organisation's new assessment protocols. In the frontal offset test, protection of all body regions was good or acceptable, except for the driver's left tibia. In the side mobile barrier and pole tests, protection of the driver's chest was rated marginal, and protection of the driver's abdomen was rated acceptable in the side pole test. The Kushaq could pass minimum European regulatory requirements for

electronic stability control Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...

and pedestrian protection.

Sales

References

External links

Official website
{{Škoda vehicles Kushaq Crossover sport utility vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles Mini sport utility vehicles Cars introduced in 2021 Global NCAP small off-road