Skoda Kushaq Review: Worth The Price?

Price still matters but less does not always mean more as the Kushaq is one of those cars that signify that. It is lined perfectly to take on the Korean duo of Selto & Creta.

If there is one car that has been the subject of heated discussions and arguments then it has been the Skoda Kushaq. Of course, most of it has been down to its pricing which is a bit on the premium side. However, when Skoda India tossed us the keys to its Honey orange 1.5 TSI manual and 1.0 TSI AT Kushaq, we approached the car with an open mind and not thinking about the price.

Price still matters but less does not always mean more as the Kushaq is one of those cars that signify that. The importance of the Kushaq has been previously stated very well and it is basically the most important product that they have ever made. It is lined perfectly to take on the most popular 4m plus SUVs namely the Korean duo of Selto and Creta. In terms of size it has a length of 4,225mm which means it is slightly shorter than some other SUVs but there is no escaping the fact that it gets some attention due to its sharp styling. The Kushaq is a good looking SUV and especially in this red or orange colour.

There is quality to it in the form of the extremely tight fitting panel gaps and strong build to the paint finish. Then the Skoda grille matches in perfectly with those superb looking headlamps which are divided into two. There is plenty going on with the sharp lines and cuts. Of course the second star of the Kushaq show are the 17-inch alloys which help the stance of the car greatly. The rear though is not as aggressive as the front-end but it does get a nice set of tail-lamps which wrap-around along with a discreet roof spoiler.

While it looked good, it was 40 degrees plus hence I immediately went inside and turned the aircon to the max. First thing: It feels like any high-end Skoda here. The doors do not feel light and the two-spoke steering along with controls look classy. The design is simple but pleasing and I like the over quality at first glance. The 10-inch screen also gets my attention first and I like the display while the touch quality/response is now along with the class best. Then you see the traditional old-school dials which I do not hate and actually prefer but gadget loving folk might not. Back to the screen in the middle and it holds many functions like wireless smartphone connectivity, connected tech, pre-loaded apps, Wi-Fi hot-spot and more. The connected tech feature gets you the usual control access by your smartphone including SOS, tracking, remote start etc One interesting feature is the Valet mode where with a pin, you can keep a track of who does what when you give your car to someone.

Other things? The touch air con controls are nice to use on the go and I liked it. The rear-camera is also a high-quality display while the ventilated seats were a boon on a summer's day. You also get USB-C ports, a sunroof, climate control, rear ac vents and more. However, some bits that we did not like were those flimsy air-con vents and the quality of the roof liner- not of Skoda standards. Where the Kushaq scores is the rear seat comfort as it has the longest wheelbase. Hence, with the driver's seat set to my height (6'1"), there is decent space for me and very good headroom. Three would be a squeeze though. Safety is well looked at with ESC as standard while six airbags, ABS with EBD, TCS, hill-start assist and more are there too.

Finally, let's drive. We first drove the Kushaq 1.0 TSI automatic. This is the best variant in terms of value and this we think will form the majority of the sales. It makes 115bhp but what we like is the refinement and the ease in which the torque converter automatic goes about its business. It is very smooth in traffic and also along with the light steering, the Kushaq feels more nimble than rivals. For city use and cruising, the Kushaq 1.0 will be enough and if you want some extra power, the shift to S mode will get you that. It is smooth, linear and would be liked by many. Expect 10-12kmpl for the automatic. Do note- even this engine gets paddle shifters!

The real USP of the Kushaq though is the 1.5 TSI in terms of its sheer power and driving fun. It is the most powerful SUV in its class with 150hp/250Nm. We drove the version with the 6-speed manual and what fun it was! The manual gearbox is not light but the clutch is and it has an enthusiast vibe to it. The engine is hugely tractable and you can basically leave it third gear all day like an automatic. However when you push on, the power makes you smile and overtaking in traffic is very easy. Out on the open road the Kushaq 1.5 TSI feels hugely fast and feels more dynamically accomplished than rivals. Where you see the potential of the Kushaq is the ride and handling which is also brilliant. You will like driving it in the city with the light steering yet on the highway the excellent stability will impress you along with the typical European crisp dynamics. The suspension is also robust and it handled some bad roads with ease- a touch of firmness aside.

So, is the Kushaq worth the price? In a word, yes. That said we were expecting a more aggressive price-tag and yes, the Kushaq is a sort of a premium offering in those terms. There is a sense of quality to the design, driving experience and the overall feel of the car which will tempt buyers. The 1.0 TSI auto is the value choice here at 15.7 lakh while the 1.5 TSI is the enthusiast's choice at Rs 16 lakh. That said, even the base trim is decently equipped at 10.49 lakh (the 1.0 TSI). Overall, the Skoda Kushaq is a compact SUV that is great to drive and yes, it has been worth the long wait!

What we like- exterior design and quality, performance, ride and handling, value, interior features like touch aircon controls, touchscreen and more.

What we do not like- Powered driver's seat and panoramic sunroof missing, top-end DSG 1.5 TSI is pricey.