Most Awaited for a Reason

Every Skoda car launched in India has set benchmarks in their segment for their superior build quality, features, practicality, powertrains and safety. So, when the company announces a new car, people take notice and await eagerly for its launch.

Skoda has announced that it will launch its first premium compact-SUV in India, the Kushaq, on 28 June. Here are five reasons why it has become the most awaited SUV in its segment:

Styling which turns heads

In a bid to stand out from the crowd, many SUVs in the segment have adopted either uber-macho or ultra-futuristic designs - but these typically don’t age well. The Skoda Kushaq, inspired by the Vision IN concept and in Skoda’s signature style, adopts a more subtle but eye-catching design.

The bold silhouette of the Kushaq matches its large exterior proportions, giving it an unmatched road presence. But you don’t have to look too closely, or for too long, to find out how wonderfully detailed the design is.

The Kushaq features powerful LED lighting all around - from the slim dual-barrel headlights with LED DRLs to the boomerang-shaped taillights. Skoda’s signature butterfly grille gets black vertical slats and a prominent chrome surround. The engine cover has a power bulge, seemingly restraining the powerful TSI motor underneath.

Dual-tone 17 inch alloy wheels and tyres fill up the squared wheel arches on the side. Chiselled body lines add to the detailed design.

The prominent Skoda lettering on the boot lid, chrome insert on the bumper and a skid-plate on the bumper finish up the exciting design at the rear.

Luxury in every detail

The Skoda Kushaq promises a luxury experience like no other SUV in its class. While the exterior and interior design are attractive, what makes them special is the quality of materials used. On the outside, the Kushaq feels solidly built. Inside, judicious use of soft-touch materials, leather and soothing metallic buttons and switches make the cabin feel rich.

The latest technology will be offered on the luxurious Kushaq. Its large 10-inch touchscreen multimedia system gets wireless smartphone connectivity options and has Skoda’s own app store built-in for increased utility. Front occupants can use the powerful wireless smartphone charging pad while the rear passengers have the latest USB-C charging ports to charge their devices.

The seat design is paramount in making occupants feel comfortable and special. The front units are well contoured for that well-cocooned feel. The addition of multi-speed ventilation makes them even more comfortable and desirable. At the rear, the bench seat can accommodate three adults easily and each of them gets their own three-point seatbelt for maximum safety.

Clever storage solutions around the cabin also add to the luxury factor of the Skoda Kushaq. This includes front cup holders with rubberised mats to keep cups and bottles stable and cup holders integrated into the rear centre armrest. The front door pockets feature elastic bands which keep the knick-knacks from falling out. The rear occupants can place their mobile phones in smartly designed smartphone pockets built into the back of the front seats.

Finally, the already luxurious ambience inside the Kushaq is complemented by the large sunroof which lets in natural light in the day. At night, the cabin is filled with soothing lights from the single-colour ambient lighting system.

More than enough space

The Skoda Kushaq utilises its large proportions and clever packaging to offer the best interior space in its class, without compromising on the advantages of being a compact SUV.

The large 2651mm of wheelbase combined with short overhangs and maximum utilisation of space makes the Kushaq a proper 5 seater SUV along with a minimum boot space of 385-litres. Add the vast list of cleverly designed storage spaces around the cabin - including the large cooled glovebox, door storage with elastic bands and back pockets with specifically designed smartphone holders - and you have the ideal family SUV with more than enough space.

All the performance you will ever need: TSI Engines

For many, an SUV is no good if it doesn’t have the go, to match the show. The Skoda Kushaq is offered with multiple engine options to satisfy just about any buyer.

Two petrol engines with Turbocharged Stratified Injection technology are being offered - a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder unit and a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder unit. While tiny in terms of displacement, the combination of turbocharging, precise fuel injection lead to a clean-burning, explosive performance that larger engines cannot match without resorting to exotic, expensive technologies/materials.

The shift from MPI (multi-point injection) to TSI (turbocharged stratified injection) brings with it huge advances in performance, efficiency and emissions. Precise delivery of fuel reduces losses, which automatically means better mileage. On the other hand, precise fuel delivery and better burn also mean the fuel is used better for higher performance. Add the turbocharger and you get more mileage as well as more performance as compared to an MPI engine.

The larger 1.5-litre TSI motor develops 148bhp (110kW) of maximum power and can be had with either a six-speed manual gearbox or with a quick-shifting seven-speed DSG gearbox for those looking for the ultimate performance SUV experience. When you are done having fun, the 1.5-litre TSI engine can turn into a very frugal machine, shutting off two of its four cylinders to save fuel! This is technology unheard of in an SUV in this class and is currently found in cars costing over Rs 25 lakh.

The 1.0-litre TSI motor is no slouch, with 113bhp (85kW) on tap the Kushaq is still pretty peppy. This can be paired to a six-speed manual or, for additional convenience, to a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

All the support you need

Hesitancy in adopting the latest and greatest is understandable, not many like taking big risks with high-value purchases. Skoda has taken multiple steps to assure future customers that their Kushaq will be light on their pockets after their purchase and will be taken care of by the finest technicians in the country.

First off, under the company’s India project 2.0, Skoda has worked tremendously hard to localise as many parts as possible, resulting in competitively priced spare parts and quick parts availability. These parts have a 2-year/unlimited km warranty, which is unique in the Indian automotive market.

The Kushaq, like all Skodas, will be offered with a four-year warranty as standard. The longer warranty period assures customers that any unlikely issues with their car will be addressed quickly for a longer period of ownership.

These are some of the main reasons why people are awaiting the launch of the new Skoda Kushaq. It is poised to take over as the King of the segment; if you want to know more about its features - read our comprehensive report here - or click here to head to the Kushaq’s website.