Skoda India launched the Kushaq
facelift on March 21 2026 at
a starting price of ₹10.69 lakh
making it one of the most
significant updates to any
compact SUV in India this year.
The facelift brings a new 8 speed
automatic gearbox rear seat
massage function panoramic
sunroof and updated styling
while retaining the Kushaq’s
core strengths of European
build quality and engaging
driving dynamics. Here is our
complete review.
Design Updates
The Kushaq facelift gets a
thoroughly modern front end
with a wider connected LED
light strip between slimmer
LED headlamps inspired by the
larger Skoda Kodiaq. The
reshaped front bumper with
larger air intakes and prominent
skid plate gives it a stronger
more confident presence. At
the rear the full width LED
light bar with illuminated
Skoda lettering creates a
distinctive premium appearance
especially at night with
sequential turn indicators
adding a dynamic element.
Three new colour options —
Shimla Green Cherry Red and
Steel Grey — join the existing
range giving buyers eight
choices in total. The Monte
Carlo variant continues with
its signature all black grille
with red accents and black
alloy wheels making it the
most visually striking compact
SUV under ₹19 lakh in India.
The Most Important New Feature —
Rear Seat Massage
In a segment first move for
a compact SUV under ₹19 lakh
the Kushaq facelift offers
rear seat massage function
on Prestige and Monte Carlo
trims. This feature was previously
only found in premium luxury
cars costing three to four
times the price — finding it
in a Skoda Kushaq is genuinely
impressive and differentiates
it from every rival in this
segment.
New 8 Speed Automatic Gearbox
The 1.0 litre TSI now gets
a new 8 speed torque converter
automatic replacing the previous
6 speed unit. This is the same
gearbox that debuted in the
Volkswagen Taigun facelift and
it addresses the main criticism
of the previous automatic —
sluggish and hesitant behaviour
at low speeds. The new unit
is significantly smoother and
more refined making city driving
noticeably more relaxed.
Engine Options
The Kushaq facelift continues
with two proven TSI engines.
The 1.0 litre TSI produces
115bhp and 178Nm — now with
6 speed manual or the new
8 speed torque converter
automatic. The 1.5 litre TSI
produces 150bhp and 250Nm
available exclusively with
the 7 speed DSG automatic —
the most engaging powertrain
in the compact SUV segment.
Claimed fuel efficiency is
19.66 kmpl for the 1.0 TSI
manual 19.09 kmpl for the
1.0 TSI automatic and 18.72
kmpl for the 1.5 TSI DSG —
competitive figures for a
turbo petrol compact SUV.
Interior and Features
The interior gets meaningful
upgrades. The 10.25 inch
digital driver display with
multiple layouts and 10.1 inch
touchscreen with Google AI
companion and ability to watch
YouTube when parked are the
headline technology additions.
6 way powered and ventilated
front seats panoramic sunroof
wireless Android Auto and
Apple CarPlay wireless charger
and ambient lighting make the
Kushaq feel premium for its
price. Boot space of 491 litres
measured to the roof is among
the largest in its class.
One Honest Limitation
Unlike most of its rivals the
2026 Kushaq facelift does not
offer ADAS or a 360 degree
camera — features now available
in the Hyundai Creta Kia Seltos
and Volkswagen Taigun at
comparable prices. For safety
focused buyers this is a
meaningful gap. The 5 star
Global NCAP safety rating and
6 airbags are reassuring but
the lack of ADAS remains
the Kushaq facelift’s main
shortcoming.
Price and Variants
The Kushaq facelift is offered
in five variants from Classic
Plus to Monte Carlo. Prices
range from ₹10.69 lakh to
₹18.99 lakh ex showroom.
Skoda is also offering up to
₹3.5 lakh discounts on Kushaq
in April 2026 making it
exceptionally attractive value.
Skoda Super Care ownership
package with up to 8 year
extended warranty provides
strong long term ownership
assurance.
Kushaq vs Rivals
Against the Volkswagen Taigun
the Kushaq is ₹31,000 cheaper
at the base level and adds
the rear seat massage function
the Taigun lacks. Against the
Hyundai Creta the Kushaq wins
on build quality and driving
dynamics while the Creta wins
on ADAS features and hybrid
option. Against the Kia Seltos
the Kushaq wins on European
character while the Seltos
wins on feature loading.
Verdict
The Skoda Kushaq facelift is
the most European compact SUV
you can buy under ₹19 lakh
in India and it has never
been better than in this 2026
update. The new 8 speed
automatic the segment first
rear massage seats and updated
styling make it a genuinely
compelling package. The lack
of ADAS is a real gap compared
to rivals but for buyers who
value build quality European
character and driving dynamics
above maximum features the
Kushaq facelift remains one
of India’s most rewarding
compact SUVs to own and drive.
