Skoda had bolstered the safety of Kushaq by equipping the SUV with the feature of 6 safety airbags on its top-trim Style AT variants. There were two options earlier. Twwo airbags on top-end variant and six. Now, Skoda India has discontinued the two airbag Style AT variants. The company had introduced the feature of a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in addition to adding side curtain airbags to the SUV. Just so you know, currently Skoda Kushaq is available in three different variants – Active, Ambition, and Style. As of now, 6 safety airbags and TPMS are only available in the Style AT variants of both engines.
In terms of engine options, Kushaq features two turbocharged petrol motors. The smaller engine displaces 1.0-litre and features a 3-cylinder configuration with a rated output of 113bhp and 178Nm. The bigger capacity 1.5-litre engine, on the other hand, has got a 4-cylinder configuration and puts out 148bhp along with 250Nm of max torque. A 6-speed manual transmission option is standard with 1.0-litre TSI getting 6-speed AT option as well. The 1.5-litre motor gets the convenience of a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that offers a superior shifting experience to customers.
It is important to note that the 1.5-litre TSI engine variant is available only in the top-trim Style with a manual and automatic. Skoda should have taken the opportunity and added six airbags in the manual version of the MY22 variant as well considering that is the true enthusiast variant. Skoda is being shy of its premium image this time around and not offering more features in top-end variants such as a digital cockpit like on its cousin, the Taigun. Of course, the Kushaq is also meant to be an affordable Skoda mid-size SUV. Skoda should correct this by offering more features as chip supply gets normal and Kushaq has a firm hold in the market.
According to the news doing the rounds, Skoda might also introduce 1.5 TSI in the mid-trim Ambition avatar. In the Indian market, Skoda Kushaq is pitted against the likes of Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks, Renault Duster, and MG Astor.
