It was June 2021 when Skoda introduced the Kushaq in India, marking the brand’s first major product under its India 2.0 strategy and also a car that helped Skoda reconnect with Indian buyers. Fast forward to January 2026, the Kushaq has now received its first major update. And this facelift feels like a thoughtful evolution rather than a dramatic change.
Skoda has officially unveiled the Kushaq facelift and bookings have begun. Deliveries are scheduled to start by March. The SUV is now offered in five trims Classic+, Signature, Sportline, Prestige and Monte Carlo with the Monte Carlo available right from day one.
Design and exterior changes
The facelifted Kushaq looks more premium than before for sure. The front has been totally reworked.
It now gets a larger grille with an illuminating light band. The LED headlamps are sharper looking and have sequential turn indicators. A refreshed bumper design further enhances the SUV’s road presence.
Wheel sizes vary depending on the variant. Lower trims get 16-inch alloys, higher ones come with 17-inch wheels. At the back, the Kushaq now has connected LED tail lamps and illuminated Skoda lettering. These lighting elements are available from the Signature trim onwards.
Skoda has introduced three new colours Shimla Green, Cherry Red and Steel Grey. In all, there are now eight colour options. The SUV is actually a little longer than before at 4,229 mm, but this is largely the result of the redesigned bumpers. Width, height and wheelbase remain unchanged.
One big improvement is boot space. It has gone up from 385 litres to 491 litres, which makes the Kushaq much more practical for family use.
Interior and features
Inside, the layout is familiar, but more premium. The materials, trims and upholstery have been updated.
The highlight is the updated tech experience. There is a new 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, and a much richer overall cabin experience. A panoramic sunroof has finally been added, and interestingly, a single-pane electric sunroof is now standard across all variants. The rear seat massage function adds a segment-first comfort highlight.
Other offerings include front parking sensors, dual colour ambient lighting, 6-way powered front seats with ventilation, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, wireless charger, cooled glove box, cruise control, rain sensing wipers, auto-dimming IRVM which is now standard and connected car tech.
Voice commands are now powered by a Google Automotive AI agent, making everyday interactions smoother.
Engines and gearboxes
The Kushaq remains based on the highly localised MQB-A0-IN platform
Engine options are the same with an important update.
The 1.0 litre TSI has a power of 114 hp and 178 Nm. It is available with either a 6 speed manual or new 8-speed torque converter automatic.
The 1.5-litre TSI produces 148 hp and 250 Nm and is only available with a 7-speed DSG. It also has Active Cylinder Technology. This engine is available on Prestige and Monte Carlo trims and finally gets rear disc brakes.
Safety
Safety remains a strong point. The Kushaq carries over its 5-star Global NCAP rating.
It has more than 40 safety features on higher trims, 25 standard features across the range. This includes 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, traction control, hill hold assist, electronic differential lock, ISOfix mounts and more. ADAS is not offered yet, though Skoda may add it later.
Rivals and final word
The Kushaq facelift continues to compete with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Tata Sierra, Grand Vitara, Hyryder and Honda Elevate.
This update fixes what buyers asked for – more features, better interiors, a larger boot and a smoother automatic option. The Kushaq still feels solid, safe and driver-focused, but now it also feels more complete. It remains true to what made it popular, but clearly moving forward.