Skoda Kushaq Pros & Cons

Check out pros and cons about the Skoda Kushaq that are worth highlighting for a potential buyer. Here are some of the highlights of the benefits of buying the Skoda Kushaq. We'll also list out the Kushaq drawbacks to help you make an informed buying decision.

Kushaq Advantanges

• Simple Design With An Aggressive Front End

  Skoda Kushaq comes with a simple design, which we expect to look timeless even a decade from now on. However, it keeps the aggression on the front profile to appeal to the masses. LED elements in headlights and tail lights only add to the aggressiveness.

• Long List Of Features

  The Kushaq comes with a long list of features such as six airbags, TPMS, auto AC, ventilated seats, electronic differential lock, ambient lighting, cruise control, sunroof and keyless entry with push-button start/stop. It is worth noting that the Kushaq also gets standard safety features including an electronic differential lock and active traction control.

• Turbocharged Petrol Engines

  The Kushaq comes with two turbo petrol engines with direct injection. On the other hand, its competitors like Maruti Nexa S-Cross, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos primarily rely on non-turbo petrol engines while limiting the turbo petrol engines to a few higher variants. The turbocharged petrol engines of the Kushaq also offer class-leading torque output which help to offer superior in-city driveability.

• Good Fuel Efficiency With 1.5L Turbo Petrol

  Both the 1.0L turbo petrol and 1.5L turbo petrol engines in the Kushaq offer good fuel efficiency. The 1.5L turbo petrol engine also gets cylinder deactivation technology, hence making it more efficient than the 1.0L turbo petrol engine. The 1.5L turbo petrol engine can switch between impressive performance and class-leading fuel efficiency, depending on the accelerator pedal input.

• Automatic Transmission Options With Both Engines

  Skoda offer a torque converter automatic transmission with the Kushaq 1.0L turbo petrol. On the other hand, the performance-centric 1.5L turbo petrol engine comes with a quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Kushaq Disadvantanges

• Lacks The Outright Road Presence Of Rivals

  The Kushaq doesn’t have the road presence of an SUV, like the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos. For instance, Skoda Kushaq is 75mm shorter, 10mm narrower and has a 23mm lower roofline than the Hyundai Creta. However, it is worth noting that the Kushaq offers the longest-in-segment wheelbase of 2651mm.

• Steep Premium For Automatic And 1.5L Turbo Petrol

  Skoda charge a steep premium for the automatic transmission options over the manual counterparts. For instance, the 1.0L turbo petrol automatic is Rs. 1.70 lakh more expensive than the manual. The 1.5L turbo petrol also commands a premium of up to Rs. 1,90,000 over the 1.0L turbo petrol engine option. This incremental price gap is too high for the performance and efficiency advantages of the 1.5L engine.

• Missing Features Compared To Rivals

  Skoda Kushaq comes with all the essential features one expects at its price. However, it misses out on some feel-good features like panoramic sunroof, power driver seat, front parking sensors, electronic parking brake, 360-degree camera, rear seat sun shades and ADAS-related features. All of these are becoming common among C-segment SUVs.

• Fuel-sapping Torque Converter And Unproven DCT

  Skoda offer the Kushaq 1.0L turbo petrol with a torque converter automatic transmission. While the auto engine start/stop helps with offering better fuel efficiency, it can not overcome the inherent inefficient nature of torque converter transmissions in stop-and-go traffic because of the fluid coupling. On the other hand, the dual-clutch transmissions are yet to prove their long-term reliability in the treacherous Indian climate and traffic conditions.