Words: Abhay Verma | Photography: Saidatta Naik
It’s just a shade under five years now, since the Skoda Kushaq was launched as the first offering under the Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 strategy. And for an SUV launched in what was (and continues to be!) the most competitive car segment in the country, the midsize SUV one, the Kushaq has done quite well for the Czech manufacturer. And for 2026, almost half a decade after it was launched originally, the Kushaq has received a comprehensive makeover.
The first thing you’ll notice about the updated Kushaq is that it looks more premium now. You get a new front bumper and a larger grille, with chrome-finished slats, and a thin LED strip that runs across its width. The headlamps also integrate revised LEDs for the DRLs, and these are changes that also reminded me of the Kodiaq, besides helping the Kushaq look more premium. There are no changes to the sides except for the new alloys, and interestingly, each variant gets a different wheel design now! Move to the rear and you’ll notice the redesigned tail lamps, again, connected from end to end by a light strip. Interestingly, the Skoda name is etched into this light strip itself and is also illuminated. Overall, there’s an elevated sense of premiumness to the stance, which should certainly help it appeal better to buyers.
The cabin has been updated to offer a more premium feel too, and it all starts with the larger, 10.25-inch driver display that’s straight off the Kodiaq. The dashboard design has not changed but you do get updated trims as per the variant chosen. Skoda has also introduced the sportier looking Monte Carlo trim now itself rather than at a later date, which gets a sportier look inside as compared to standard versions. Higher variants now get a floating, 10.1-inch infotainment screen, which looks crisp. A big highlight is the inclusion of a sunroof as standard across variants, and higher variants get a large panoramic sunroof now. The panoramic sunroof elevates the sense of premiumness inside the cabin, but admittedly, also lets more heat inside. The beige-hued seats look good too, and overall, this is a cabin that looks very appealing.
Expectedly, the list of features on offer has gotten longer too. You now get rain sensing wipers and an auto-dimming inside rear view mirror as standard, besides dual-colour ambient lighting and a Google-powered AI assistant. Both front seats get six-way electric adjustment, and the front seats are also ventilated, just like before. Wireless smartphone connectivity has been carried over and so has the rear view camera, though the quality of the camera could have been be better, and I would have also liked to see the inclusion of 360-degree view. An interesting addition is a massage function for the rear seats, which is a segment first. That said, the intensity of the massage is medium at best, and you cannot change the type of massage either – the massage function can only be turned on or off. Instead, rear seat ventilation or a massage function for the front seats would have been a better addition.
The biggest update is on the powertrain front though, as the 1.0-litre TSI engine is now on offer with a new 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. For the matter, an 8-speed transmission is not just a first in the mid-size SUV segment; this is also the first time we are seeing an 8-speed gearbox mated to a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine! The gearbox impresses with how quickly and smoothly it can change gears, besides which, you also get a set of paddle shifters that make for an engaging feel. We’ve always liked the 1.0 TSI engine for its performance, as acceleration is quick and the engine feels very refined, despite being a three-cylinder unit. And paired with the 8-speed automatic gearbox it feels even better, be it when driving in bumper to bumper traffic or driving on open roads. I also feel the 8-speed gearbox should help in improving efficiency slightly, especially in traffic.
The 1.5 TSI powered version of the Kushaq, especially the automatic version which uses the 7-speed DSG is the one we enjoyed more on open roads though. It feels butter-smooth and with 150PS on tap the engine ensures you break into a smile every time you accelerate hard. Meanwhile, the gearbox adds to the engaging feel in heaps given how quickly it can change gears, and also how well it matches revs when downshifting aggressively. So while the 1.0-litre engine feels even better thanks to the new gearbox it is paired with, it’s the 1.5 TSI motor that you need to look at if you like driving and also if you drive longer distances frequently.
With no changes to the suspension setup or wheels and tyres the Kushaq offers the same likeable feel as before from behind the wheel. The steering feels perfectly weighted and responsive at highway speeds, while the suspension soaks up undulations nicely, and overall, there’s the typical European feel to the handling that we always like in Skodas. In fact, we’ve always known the Kushaq to be one of the best handling midsize SUVs and liked its car-like feel, especially around corners. The firm suspension helps it offer a confident and sporty feel when driving spiritedly, while also ensuring ride quality is pliant enough for the SUV to soak up bumps, ruts and undulations well.
Overall, we’ve always liked the Kushaq for its solid engineering and distinctive European flair, and the SUV only feels better in its updated avatar. It also feels better packaged, as design changes help it look more upmarket, while the addition of new features helps it tick more boxes for buyers. The option of the 8-speed automatic, offered right from the base variant, is a welcome addition too. The 1.5 TSI engine coupled with the 7-speed DSG though is still what enthusiasts will favour given the engine performance and engaging feel offered by the transmission. And with prices beginning from just ₹10.69 lakh ex-showroom for 1.0 TSI version and ₹18.79 lakh ex-showroom for the 1.5TSI version, the Kushaq continues to be an excellent pick in the crowded midsize SUV segment.
