Skoda Kushaq Active

The Skoda Kushaq Active is a well-rounded compact SUV that ticks many boxes for potential buyers. It boasts a sturdy build quality and a premium interior with comfortable, supportive seats and good legroom both in the front and rear. The car is available with two engine options a 1.0 litre turbo petrol and a 1.5 litre turbo petrol, both of which offer smooth and responsive performance. The suspension is well-balanced, ensuring a stable and comfortable ride even at high speeds. Safety features are comprehensive, including a five-star safety rating, which is a significant selling point. Additionally, the Kushaq offers a range of features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, armrests, and a silent cabin, making it a great choice for family use or long drives. However, it has slightly less boot space and lower ground clearance compared to some rivals, but these are minor trade-offs for the overall package it offers.

The Skoda Kushaq Active is a compelling choice in the compact SUV segment, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and safety. From my experience, the Kushaq stands out with its robust build quality and plush, modern interiors. The 1.0 litre turbo petrol engine, while feeling a bit underpowered at high speeds, provides a responsive drive and decent fuel efficiency. The handling is exemplary, making it a joy to drive on both city roads and highways. However, the boot space is somewhat limited compared to its rivals, and the ground clearance could be higher. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Kushaqs overall package, including its five-star safety rating, comfortable seating, and balanced suspension, makes it a solid option for those seeking a premium feel without the premium price tag.

Skoda India has discontinued the 1.5L turbo petrol-manual powertrain option for the Kushaq, including the Active variant. This move is part of their strategy to streamline their engine offerings. I believe this could impact the appeal of the Kushaq for some buyers who preferred the manual transmission with the more powerful engine.

The Skoda Kushaq, including the Active variant, now comes with six airbags as standard across all variants. This update has made the vehicle safer, although it has also resulted in a price hike of up to Rs. 35,000. I think this is a positive move, as safety should always be a priority.

Skoda India has launched a new non-sunroof Style variant of the Kushaq, which is priced about Rs. 20,000 lower than the regular Style variant. This variant is only available with the 1.0 TSI engine, similar to the Active variant. I believe this move will make the Kushaq more accessible to budget-conscious buyers.

Skoda India introduced the Ambition Classic and Active Peace variants for the Kushaq, with prices starting from Rs. 9.99 lakh. These new variants aim to provide more options for buyers looking for different feature sets. I believe these additions will help Skoda capture a wider market share in the compact SUV segment.

The Skoda Kushaq Active variant saw a price hike of Rs. 29,000, making the base Active MT 1.0L TSI variant start at Rs. 10.79 lakh (ex-showroom). This increase is part of a broader price adjustment across the Kushaq lineup. I think this hike might affect sales, but the Kushaqs overall value still makes it a strong contender in its segment.

In India, the Skoda Kushaq Active is priced competitively, with the ex-showroom price starting around Rs. 10.5 lakhs for the base variant. When you factor in the on-road costs, including taxes, registration, and insurance, the price can go up to around Rs. 12-13 lakhs, depending on the state and local taxes. Given the features and quality on offer, I find the pricing to be quite reasonable. The value for money is enhanced by the inclusion of essential safety features even in the base variant, along with a 6-year extended warranty and a 4-year maintenance package, which adds to the peace of mind for the buyer.

The Skoda Kushaq Active delivers respectable mileage, especially considering its turbo-petrol engine. Users have reported mileage of around 12 kmpl in city driving and up to 16-19 kmpl on highways, depending on driving style. While the engine is sensitive to throttle inputs, which can affect real-life mileage, it still offers a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. This makes it a viable option for those concerned about running costs.