October 2024 - Skoda Kushaq Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

Updated (October 25, 2024): This update of the Skoda Kushaq variants explained article includes the latest October 2024 prices and our buying recommendations.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Petrol Variants Explained (2023 Updated) 

Volkswagen Taigun Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Skoda Kushaq Petrol?

The pros or advantages of Kushaq petrol are:

• Simple, design, which probably won’t look dated even a decade from now
• Fairly long list of features, such as 6 airbags, front diff lock, sunroof, ventilated seats, cruise control, subwoofer, LED headlamps, auto AC, keyless entry and tyre pressure monitoring
• Both engines are turbocharged, so even the base engine will offer fantastic drivability than non-turbo engines because of its higher torque output available for a wider torque band
• Cylinder deactivation tech gives the larger engine higher performance and class leading mileage figures (although not both at the same time)
• 3 powertrain options: 1.0L turbo petrol-manual, 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic and 1.5L turbo petrol-automatic
• Base variant offers a decent number of features considering the segment standards and Kushaq base model’s asking price

The Skoda Kushaq petrol has the following shortcomings or problems:

• Smaller size doesn’t give it an imposing road presence like its peers Creta, Seltos, Astor, Vitara, Hyryder, Elevate, etc.
• The larger 1.5L turbo petrol engine carries a steep premium over the smaller 1.0L turbo petrol engine
• Missing features — panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, 360-degree camera and ADAS
• The smaller engine gets the old-school torque converter automatic transmission, which saps a lot of efficiency, especially in stop-and-go traffic because of fluid coupling
• The larger engine gets a dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is yet to establish a reputation for long-term reliability in the harsh Indian climatic and driving conditions
• Top variant costs well over Rs. 20.0 lakh despite being considerably small and lacking several features available in this segment — Addressed by Skoda in June 2024 update
• 1.5L turbo petrol doesn’t get a manual transmission — Applicable since September 2024 update
• The automatic transmission carries a steep premium over manual transmission variants — Addressed by Skoda with June 2024 update
• Missing features like power driver seat — Addressed by Skoda with October 2023 update

What Is The Price Of Skoda Kushaq?

The Skoda Kushaq has 2 engine options — a 1.0L turbo petrol and a 1.5L turbo petrol. The base petrol engine gets a 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission options. The more powerful 1.5L turbo petrol engine only comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 1.0L turbo petrol-manual powertrain is available in all 6 variants with prices ranging from Rs. 10.89 lakh to Rs. 16.09 lakh (ex-showroom). The 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic powertrain is available in all variants except for the Kushaq base model with prices starting from Rs. 13.49 lakh and going up to Rs. 17.19 lakh. This automatic transmission mostly costs Rs. 1.10 lakh more than the same engine with a manual transmission. Only in the most affordable automatic variant, the automatic transmission is available for a nominal premium of Rs. 60,000.

Lastly, the 1.5L turbo petrol-automatic is available in the higher 4 variants only. In this case, the superior performance of the larger engine comes at an additional cost of Rs. 1.60 over the comparable 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic variants.

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Classic — Base Model Standard Features

The base Classic variant of the Skoda Kushaq is only available with the 1.0L turbo petrol engine and a manual transmission for an ex-showroom price of Rs. 10.89 lakh. The base variant of the Kushaq gets the following safety and style features:

In terms of functional and infotainment features, the base variant offers the following equipment:

This variant misses out on some key features like:

• Auto AC
• Rear washer wiper
• Rear defogger
• Rear armrest
• Rear parcel tray
• Rear split-folding seat backs

The Classic variant seems to pack most of the must-have features for buyers who intend to spend most of their time in the front seats. It also carries a decent price tag and it’s worth buying for buyers who are on a tight budget. Even if you have a few more lakhs to spare, we’ll strongly advise you to get some of those features as aftermarket accessories. The higher Onyx and Signature variants carry a steep incremental price jump for the additional features they offer. Thus they have a pathetic value for money.

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Classic vs Onyx Variant — Price, Feature Comparison

The Onyx variant of the Skoda Kushaq is also available with only 1.0L turbo petrol engine. This variant onwards, you also get the option of 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. With the manual transmission, this variant costs Rs. 12.89 lakh (ex-showroom), which is Rs. 2.0 lakh more than the Kushaq base model. The Onyx automatic carries an ex-showroom price of Rs. 13.49 lakh and it’s only Rs. 60,000 pricier than the Onyx manual.

For the Rs. 2.0 lakh higher price, the Kushaq Onyx adds the following additional features: 

In this variant, you may miss features like:

• Rear camera
• Rear armrest
• Rear parcel tray
• Rear window curtains
• Rear split-folding seat backs
• Cruise control
• Front parking sensors

Barring a few must-have features, the Onyx variant covers you quite well in this area. However, according to our value algorithm, the price jump for the small list of additional features makes it a poor value for money option. Hence, this variant is not recommended with manual transmission.

For the Kushaq automatic buyers, it may seem like a good deal as it’s only Rs. 60,000 more expensive than the manual. However, here too, the lower cost of the automatic transmission doesn’t manage to cover up the price-value gap this variant creates over the base variant. Hence, even for Kushaq automatic buyers, this variant is not recommended.

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Onyx vs Signature Variant — Price, Feature Comparison

The Signature variant of the Kushaq is available with both the engine options — 1.0L turbo petrol and 1.5L turbo petrol. While both of these engines in this variant come with an automatic transmission option, the manual transmission is only available with the base 1.0L petrol engine. 

The Kushaq Signature petrol-manual costs Rs. 1.30 lakh more than the Onyx and carries an ex-showroom price of Rs. 14.19 lakh. If you want this powertrain with the automatic, then you will have to spend another Rs. 1.10 lakh. In this case, you’re paying Rs. 1.80 lakh more for the Signature 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic than the Onyx with the same powertrain.

Lastly, the Signature variant of the Kushaq with the bigger 1.5L turbo petrol engine costs Rs. 16.89 lakh, which is Rs. 1.60 lakh more than the base petrol-automatic powertrain. In addition to better performance, this powertrain also brings a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and cylinder deactivation technology.

With this new tech, the engine cuts fuel to 2 of its cylinders making it work like a 750cc, 2-cylinder engine at times when you’re driving it in a relaxed manner. However, if you or the situation are demanding more performance, then this engine can instantly come back into its performance mode. In the 2-cylinder mode, such as while cruising along a highway or expressway, this engine can give some phenomenal mileage figures while keeping tremendous performance in reserve should you need it for a quick overtake.

Hence, you essentially get the best of both worlds but it comes at a price — a steep asking price; since the performance and potentially better mileage can’t make up for the Rs. 1.60 lakh price gap.

For the higher asking price, the Signature variant adds the following features:

In this variant, you may miss features like:

• Wireless phone charging
• Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
• Front parking sensors
• Rear window curtains

The Signature variant seems to offer most of the must-have features. But, the price-value gap created by the Onyx variant is difficult to cover. Hence, here too, you end up with poor value for money as you aren’t getting enough features to justify the incremental price over the Kushaq base model.

The Kushaq Signature is not recommended for manual, automatic as well as 1.5L turbo petrol buyers. Because of the high-value additional features like sunroof and alloy wheels, the Sportline and higher variants seem to offer a better value for money than Signature. So, you should consider spending a little more and buying the higher variants.

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Signature vs Sportline Variant — Price, Feature Comparison

The Sportline variant of the Skoda Kushaq also gets the same 3 powertrains option like the lower variant. It carries an ex-showroom price tag of Rs. 14.70 lakh, Rs. 15.80 lakh and Rs. 17.40 lakh for the petrol-manual, base petrol-automatic and top petrol-automatic, respectively. These prices are Rs. 51,000 higher than the Signature variant with comparable powertrains.

In the sportline variant, you will get the following additional features:

The Sportline variant, you get almost all must-have features but, you may miss the following features:

In this variant, you may miss features like:

• Wireless phone charging
• Keyless entry with push-button start/stop
• Front parking sensors
• 360-degree camera
• Rear window curtains

Here too, you aren't quite getting enough features to justify an upgrade to this variant over the base variant. Moreover, the value for money is also not that great. But, you’re getting 70-80% worth of features for the additional price you’re paying over the base variant. While we can’t outright recommend this variant, it’s at least a better option than the Onyx and Signature trims.

This recommendation is valid for all 3 powertrain options. Do note that the larger, 1.5L turbo petrol engine is carrying a steep premium. So, make sure you test drive it before you decide to buy it and only book it if you find the performance acceptable for the higher asking price.

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Sportline vs Monte Carlo Variant — Price, Feature Comparison

The Kushaq top model, Monte Carlo, again gets all 3 powertrain options. It costs Rs. 15.90 lakh with the 1.0L turbo petrol-manual and Rs. 17.0 lakh with the 1.0L petrol-automatic and Rs. 18.60 lakh with the 1.5L turbo petrol-automatic powertrain. This variant costs Rs. 1.20 lakh more than the lower Sportline trim.

The Monte Carlo variant adds the following features to the mix:

The Monte Carlo variant mostly offers good-to-have features but they do justify the additional asking price over the lower Sportline variant. Still, they can’t quite cover up the overall price gap from the base variant all the way up to the Monte Carlo trim. So, it manages to offer a decent value for money; enough to get your consideration but not enough to earn our top recommendation.

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Monte Carlo vs Prestige Variant — Price, Feature Comparison

The Prestige variant is the top-spec variant of the Skoda Kushaq. It is also available with all the powertrain options. The Kushaq Prestige costs Rs. 16.09 lakh with the manual transmission and Rs. 17.19 lakh with the automatic. The automatic costs Rs. 1.10 lakh more than the manual. These prices are Rs. 19,100 higher than the lower Monte Carlo variant with same powertrains.

The top-spec Prestige variant gets all the following features.

In the Kushaq top model, you may miss the following features:

• ADAS
• Panoramic sunroof
• Front parking sensors
• 360-degree camera
• Rear window curtains

This variant easily justifies the additional price with the features but none of them are must-have. It still offers a ‘decent’ value for money at best and is worth a look but not deserving of our ‘top recommendation’.

Which Variant Of The Skoda Kushaq Petrol Should You Buy?

The variant mix of the Kushaq is such that its higher variants do not offer a compelling set of features or high value for money. The reason is that the entry-level price is somewhat aggressively priced, and it is fairly well-loaded as well. So, for budget buyers, the Classic variant is sufficient. With all higher variants, you’ll have to compromise on value for money. So, if you want to buy a feature-rich variant, then only opt for Sportline or a higher variant. Among these, you can choose any variant based on your budget and feature preferences.

The recommendation remains similar for the automatic transmission as well. The Classic variant is not available in this case, and the Onyx is only available with the 1.0L automatic Kushaq. This variant offers terrible value and so does the Signature variant.

With this powertrain also, you can choose any of the Sportline, Monte Carlo, or Prestige variants based on your budget and feature preferences. It is worth noting that the 1.5L turbo-petrol engine is expensive, and if you opt for it, you'll end up paying a much higher premium. We recommend that you make your powertrain choice after test-driving the Kushaq. You can click at the following link to book a test drive with your nearest dealer: Skoda Kushaq Test Drive In Your City

Considering the additional features and the incremental cost of the higher variants, they all end up offering poor value for money. Therefore, none of the Kushaq variants manage to earn our top recommendation.

What Are The Engine Specifications Of The Skoda Kushaq Petrol?

Unlike most C1-segment SUVs, the Kushaq has an affordable turbo petrol engine for base powertrain options. So, despite a small displacement, it has more torque available at lower RPMs. Thus, it should offer better drivability than the other cars with 1.5L normal or mild-hybrid petrol engines. Here, the Vitara and Hyryder offer best-in-class mileage, although their performance figures are the lowest in this comparison.

Its mileage is on par with the competitors having a small turbo petrol engine. Only the Curvv mileage, in this case, is not available and we suspect that it’s much below the segment standards.

Next to the cars with more powerful turbo petrol engines, the Kushaq’s 1.5L turbo petrol manages to deliver performance that’s on par with the prime rivals. Only the Thar Roxx stands out with its above-segment-standards performance as it has a bigger petrol engine. On the other hand, the Astor’s torque output is much lower than what we expect for a similar displacement. Even the Curvv with its 1.2L turbo petrol engine manages to deliver higher torque than the Astor’s 1.35L turbo petrol engine. These two cars are the only ones offering a 3-cylinder engine in this comparison while the rest bring a 4-cylinder engine to the equation.

Here, Tata and Mahindra cars are the only ones without an official mileage figure. Since they aren’t keen to reveal the fuel efficiency figures, you can rest assured that their mileage numbers are much lower than the segment standards. In real world use, people report that the Mahindra’s turbo petrol engine offers about 6-7kmpl mileage. With the Curvv’s new engine, we believe this number may be around 10kmpl.

SKODA KUSHAQ VS C-SEGMENT SUVs TOP TURBO PETROL ENGINE SPEC COMPARISON
	Kushaq	Curvv	Creta	Seltos	Astor	Taigun	Thar Roxx
Engine	1.5L Turbo	1.2L Turbo	1.5L Turbo	1.5L Turbo	1.35L Turbo	1.5L Turbo	2.0L Turbo
Displacement	1498cc	1199cc	1482cc	1482cc	1349cc	1498cc	1997cc
Cylinder	4	3	4	4	3	4	4
Power	150PS @ 5000rpm	125PS @ 5000rpm	160PS @ 5500rpm	160PS @ 5500rpm	140PS @ 5600rpm	150PS @ 5000rpm	152PS @ 3750rpm	162PS @ 5000rpm	177PS @ 5000rpm
Torque	250Nm @ 1600 - 3500rpm	225Nm @ 1750 - 3000rpm	253Nm @ 1500 - 3500rpm	253Nm @ 1500 - 3500rpm	220Nm @ 3600rpm	250Nm @ 1600 - 3500rpm	330Nm @ 1500 - 3000rpm	330Nm @ 1750 - 3000rpm	380Nm @ 1750 - 3000rpm
Manual	6MT	6MT	6MT	6MT	-	6MT	6MT	6MT	-
MT FE	18.6kmpl	NA	18kmpl	17.7kmpl	-	18.61kmpl	NA	NA	-
Auto	7DCT	7DCT	7DCT	7DCT	6TC	7DCT	-	-	6TC
Auto FE	18.86kmpl	NA	18.4kmpl	17.9kmpl	14.34kmpl	19.01kmpl	-	-	NA

What Are The Dimensions Of The Skoda Kushaq?

In terms of dimensions, there’s no denying that the Skoda Kushaq is a smaller car for a C1-segment SUV. When you see it parked next to a sub-4m SUV, you’ll notice that it’s only slightly larger. The Kushaq and its cousin, the Volkswagen Taigun, are the smallest cars among their peers in all 3 dimensions. Perhaps that’s the reason the two brands are working on chopping down and making sub-4m versions of these cars. But, the Kushaq has a decent ground clearance and its boot space is also better than that of the much larger Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder.

**Based on UK-spec model

^#48L with normal petrol engine. 45L with turbo petrol engine.

*Estimated

^##Unladen ground clearance estimated based on 181mm laden ground clearance

Also Read: Skoda Kylaq Confirmed And Expected Features

2025 Skoda Kylaq Sub-4m SUV Engine Specification Confirmed

2025 Skoda Kylaq Ground Clearance And Dimensions Confirmed

What Are The Colour Options Of The Skoda Kushaq?

The Kushaq is available in the following 6 monotone and 5 dual-tone exterior colour options:

• Silver
• White
• Red
• Black
• Grey
• Blue
• Red with black roof
• White with black roof
• Silver with black roof
• Blue with black roof
• Blue with white roof

Note: Here is a quick look at our length-based segmentation of cars to give you an idea of how we are classifying cars based on their size.

You can read more about vehicle segmentation at the following link:

Car Segments Explained - With Body Styles And Examples