Budget Nephew of the Volkswagen T-Cross
Skoda has updated its budget nephew of the Volkswagen T-Cross. We’re not talking about the Kamiq, but about the Skoda Kushaq. Who doesn’t know it?
The Skoda Kamiq, related to the Volkswagen T-Cross, is the smallest and cheapest crossover Skoda offers in Europe. It can be smaller and cheaper. Skoda proves this in India. There, it sells the slightly shorter Skoda Kushaq. It is this cheaper Skoda that has now been updated.
The Skoda Kushaq is one of the models you can buy in India but not in Europe. Like the Kamiq, the Kushaq is based on the T-Cross, although the car uses a simpler and cheaper version of the MQB A0 platform found under those models. The Kushaq has the same wheelbase as the Kamiq, but is two centimeters shorter overall. The crossover was presented in 2021 and has now been updated.
The rear of the Kushaq has also been significantly updated.
The facelift the Skoda Kushaq is underway is relatively extensive. It features a completely new front. The grille now does without a thick surround and extends a bit under the headlights. Those headlights have a new LED light signature. The light unit below has a new shape, and the front bumper has also been completely renewed. The changes at the rear are also significant. The taillights have been updated and have not only a new shape but also a new design. They are now connected by a red strip, which features a few LED pixels and the illuminated spelled-out brand name. The reflectors that were previously high in the rear bumper are now placed much lower.
In India, the Skoda Kushaq is available with a 115 hp 1.0 TSI and a 150 hp 1.5 TSI with cylinder deactivation. The 1.0 comes with a manual gearbox and a traditional eight-speed automatic with torque converter, while the 1.5 is only available with a DSG7 automatic.
In India, the Kushaq has cost at least around €10,000 to date. It can be even cheaper. One step below the Kushaq is this Skoda Kylaq, which costs only about €7,200. The third and final Indian Skoda that we don’t have in the Netherlands is this Slavia. That’s not a crossover, but a sedan!