Skoda gears up for the 2026 Kushaq facelift, promising fresh looks and smarter features while sticking to reliable 1.0L and 1.5L turbo petrol engines. Car enthusiasts in India await this update, as it blends modern style with proven performance. Expect a launch that keeps rivals on their toes.
Exterior Refresh Grabs Eyes
Skoda designers sharpen the Kushaq’s face for 2026. New LED headlights sweep back elegantly, mimicking the Slavia sedan’s sleek gaze. The front grille shrinks slightly, sporting a glossy black honeycomb pattern that screams premium without shouting.
Fog lamps ditch the old circular shape for slim, horizontal units. Revised bumpers add muscular lines up front, while the rear gets C-shaped tail lamps with smoked lenses for a sportier vibe. Wheel options expand to 16-inch alloys on lower trims and 17-inch dual-tone rims on top variants, giving it stance.
These tweaks measure just right—subtle yet striking. Spy shots from Indian roads confirm the changes, and they nod to Skoda’s global design language. No radical overhaul here; Skoda refines what works, avoiding the “facelift flop” many brands suffer.
Interior Upgrades Boost Comfort
Step inside, and the 2026 Kushaq facelift feels more upscale. A 13-inch touchscreen dominates the dash, borrowed from newer VW Group models. It runs updated infotainment software with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay—finally ditching cables for good.
Digital driver’s display grows to 10.25 inches, customizable for navigation or sporty readouts. Ambient lighting in 10 colors wraps the cabin, and soft-touch materials replace some hard plastics. Wireless charger slots in, and ventilated front seats cool you during Mumbai traffic jams.
Rear space stays generous, but USB-C ports multiply for all passengers. Boot capacity holds at 385 liters, practical as ever. Skoda adds quirky touches like illuminated gear knob, blending fun with function—because who says practical can’t wink back?
Powertrains Stay Reliable Winners
Good news: the 1.0L TSI turbo petrol and 1.5L TSI turbo petrol engines carry over unchanged. The 1.0L pumps out 115 hp and 178 Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual or torque-converter auto. It zips 0-100 kmph in under 11 seconds, sipping 19 kmpl highway fuel.
Upgrade to the 1.5L, and you get 150 hp with 250 Nm—active cylinder tech drops revs for efficiency. It hits 0-100 in 8.5 seconds, returns 18-20 kmpl, and handles corners like a champ. No diesel this time; Skoda bets big on petrol refinement amid stricter emissions.
Manual and DSG auto options persist, with the 1.5L exclusive to DSG. These mills power over 50,000 Kushaq units sold in India since 2021, proving their mettle. Why fix what ain’t broken? Logic wins over hype.
Feature Pack Levels Up Safety and Tech
The facelift stuffs in goodies without bloating price. Level 2 ADAS debuts with adaptive cruise, lane keep, and auto emergency braking—six radars and one camera watch your back. 360-degree camera aids tight parking, and electronic parking brake with auto-hold eases city drives.
Top trims snag dual-zone climate control, powered driver seat, and panoramic sunroof. Sound system upgrades to 8 speakers with subwoofer—crisp enough for road-trip playlists. Tyre pressure monitoring and hill-hold control round out the safety net.
These additions match rivals like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, but Skoda undercuts on ownership costs. Maintenance stays affordable, and a 4-year warranty shields buyers.
Pricing and Launch Timeline
Expect prices to start at ₹12 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base 1.0L, climbing to ₹19 lakh for the 1.5L Prestige. A ₹50,000-70,000 hike over current models feels fair for the upgrades. Bookings open mid-2026, with deliveries by Q3.
Skoda assembles in Pune, so supply chains hum smoothly. Colors expand to Candy White, Carbon Steel, and new Brilliant Silver. Variants mirror today’s: Classic, Ambition, Style, plus maybe a Monte Carlo sport trim.
Why Kushaq Facelift Wins in India
Indian buyers crave value, and this Kushaq delivers. It rides on the MQB-A0-IN platform, tuned for pothole paradise. Solid build quality shines—Euro NCAP 5-stars await confirmation, but global twins ace tests.
Fuel efficiency trumps turbo lag myths; real-world tests clock 16-18 kmpl city. Resale holds strong, unlike some fading rivals. Skoda Kushaq facelift nails the mid-size SUV sweet spot: fun, frugal, feature-loaded.
Humor me: in a sea of copycat crossovers, Skoda brings European wit. Grab one before waitlists grow. Your driveway deserves this upgrade.