Skoda has officially launched the Skoda Kushaq Facelift in India on 20 January 2026, and this time the company has made its compact SUV more premium, more practical, and more competitive than ever before. With a sunroof available even in the base variant, improved design, upgraded features, and strong safety credentials, the new Kushaq is clearly targeting popular rivals like the Hyundai Creta and the upcoming Tata Sierra.
Pre-bookings for the facelifted Kushaq have already started, while official prices will be announced in March 2026. The SUV now feels like a complete package for Indian buyers who want style, safety, and performance in one car.
Bold New Design Makes Kushaq Look More Premium
The biggest change in the Skoda Kushaq Facelift is its exterior design. The SUV now looks bolder and more modern, clearly inspired by Skoda’s global design language. At the front, you get a new aggressive grille with sporty red accents and an illuminated light band, which adds a premium touch, especially at night.
The all-new LED headlights, redesigned bumper, and updated fog lamps give the front profile a sharp and confident look. From the side, new stylish alloy wheels enhance the SUV’s road presence.
At the rear, Skoda has added connected LED tail lamps, an illuminated Skoda logo, and a cleaner bumper design. The facelift also introduces new attractive color options such as Cherry Red, Shimla Green, and Steel Grey, making the Kushaq feel fresh and youthful. Overall, the SUV now looks much more upmarket and ready to take on segment leaders.
Interior Feels More Luxurious and Feature-Rich
Inside the cabin, the layout remains familiar, but the quality and features have been significantly upgraded. The Skoda Kushaq Facelift now offers a 10.25-inch digital driver display (Virtual Cockpit) along with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, giving the cabin a modern and tech-loaded feel.
One of the biggest highlights is the sunroof, which is now offered even in lower variants—something buyers usually expect only in higher trims. The cabin also gets dual-tone ambient lighting, enhancing the premium feel, especially during night drives.
Another major improvement is the boot space, which has increased to 491 litres, making it one of the most practical SUVs in its class. Some higher variants also get rear massage seats, which is a segment-first feature and adds a luxury-car-like experience.
Additional features include a 360-degree camera, park assist, Google AI assistant, rain-sensing wipers, and an auto-dimming IRVM. However, Skoda has still skipped ADAS features, which some rivals offer.
Strong Focus on Safety Continues
Skoda has always been known for safety, and the Kushaq Facelift continues that tradition. The SUV comes with 6 airbags as standard across all variants, which is a big plus.
It also offers ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, traction control, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX mounts, and electronic differential lock. The 1.5 TSI variants even get all four disc brakes, which further improve braking performance.
Thanks to this solid safety setup, the Skoda Kushaq Facelift is expected to retain its 5-star Global NCAP safety rating, making it one of the safest compact SUVs in India.
Same Powerful TSI Engines with Reliable Performance
There are no changes in the engine department, which is actually good news because Skoda’s TSI engines are known for their performance and refinement.
The first option is the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine, which produces 115 PS of power and 178 Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual gearbox or a new 8-speed torque converter automatic, which should offer smoother driving in city traffic.
The second engine is the more powerful 1.5-litre TSI, delivering 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque. It comes with Skoda’s active cylinder technology, which helps improve fuel efficiency, and is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. This engine is ideal for buyers who enjoy spirited highway driving.
Can It Take On Creta and Sierra?
With its updated design, premium interiors, sunroof in the base model, strong safety package, and powerful engines, the Skoda Kushaq Facelift has become a serious challenger to the Hyundai Creta and Tata Sierra.
While it misses out on ADAS, it makes up for it with solid build quality, excellent driving dynamics, and class-leading safety. For buyers who value performance and safety over flashy features, the new Kushaq makes a lot of sense.
Final Verdict
The Skoda Kushaq Facelift is no longer just a driver-focused SUV—it is now more comfortable, more practical, and more feature-loaded. With a sunroof starting from the base variant, a premium cabin, and trusted TSI engines, it stands strong against the best-selling SUVs in the segment.
If Skoda prices it competitively in March 2026, the Kushaq Facelift could easily become one of the top choices in the compact SUV segment.
FAQs
Q1. Is a sunroof available in the base variant of Skoda Kushaq Facelift?
Yes, the Skoda Kushaq Facelift offers a sunroof even in its base variant, which is a major upgrade.
Q2. Which cars compete with the Skoda Kushaq Facelift?
The Skoda Kushaq Facelift directly competes with Hyundai Creta and Tata Sierra.
Q3. What are the main upgrades in the Skoda Kushaq Facelift?
Key upgrades include a sunroof in the base model, refreshed design, and improved features.
Q4. Does Skoda Kushaq Facelift get an automatic transmission?
Yes, automatic transmission options are available in selected variants.
Q5. Is Skoda Kushaq Facelift better than Hyundai Creta?
The Kushaq Facelift stands out with European build quality and premium features like a base-model sunroof.
Q6. What engine options are available in Skoda Kushaq Facelift?
The SUV is expected to continue with turbo-petrol engine options.
Q7. Is Tata Sierra a direct rival to Skoda Kushaq?
Yes, the upcoming Tata Sierra positions itself as a strong rival in the same SUV segment.
Q8. Is Skoda Kushaq Facelift suitable for family use?
Yes, it offers good space, safety features, and comfort for family buyers.
Rohit Sharma
AuthorLast updated 6 hours ago
