New Skoda Kushaq Facelift 2026 Launched At Rs 10.69 Lakh in India

Most carmakers save the sunroof for mid-spec variants. Skoda put one in the base Kushaq. That single decision tells you everything about how they have approached this facelift. Not a cosmetic refresh padded out with a press release. An actual attempt to shift the value equation in a segment that has gotten very hard to win.

Launched on March 21, 2026, the new Kushaq facelift is priced from Rs 10.69 lakh to Rs 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Five variants, two engines, eight colour choices. Here is everything you need to know.

New Skoda Kushaq Facelift Design

Up front, the Skoda Kushaq has a wider, more commanding face. The butterfly grille is now gloss black and flanked by sleeker LED headlamps. An L-shaped connected LED bar runs through the grille, giving it that continuous light signature that was missing before.

At the rear, a full-width LED strip carries illuminated "Skoda" lettering. It is the kind of detail you notice on the road at night. Sequential turn indicators front and back complete the update. New 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels round off the exterior changes.

The Monte Carlo variant goes further: all-black exterior with red accents on the grille, unique alloy design, and a crimson interior theme inside. It is now a regular part of the lineup, not a limited edition.

Three new colours join the palette: Shimla Green, Cherry Red, and Steel Grey. Combined with the existing five shades, buyers now have eight options to choose from.

Facelift Interior and Features

The cabin gets a new dual-tone black and beige theme on select variants. Less shiny plastic, more matte surfaces. It feels noticeably more refined than the outgoing model.

The instrument cluster is now a 10.25-inch digital unit with multiple display layouts. The infotainment upgrades to a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a built-in Google AI companion. You can even watch YouTube on it when parked.

Higher variants bring in a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, and a 6-way powered driver seat. But the feature that stands out most is the rear seat massage function. No other compact SUV under Rs 20 lakh offers this. Not the Hyundai Creta. Not the Kia Seltos. Not even the Volkswagen Taigun, which shares the same platform.

Boot space is 491 litres. That is the largest in the segment among European-platform rivals, significantly bigger than the Taigun's 385 litres in standard configuration.

New Kushaq Facelift Engine and Gearbox

The 1.0-litre TSI continues with 114hp and 178Nm. The 1.5-litre TSI produces 150hp and 250Nm, with Active Cylinder Technology that shuts off two cylinders on the highway for better efficiency. Both engines are unchanged mechanically.

What is new is the 8-speed torque converter automatic for the 1.0L. It replaces the older 6-speed unit and prioritises smooth, unhurried shifts. Crucially, Skoda offers this gearbox from the base Classic Plus variant. The Volkswagen Taigun, by comparison, only makes the 8-speed AT available from the Highline trim onwards. That means spending several lakhs more to get the same transmission. The 1.5L engine continues with the 7-speed DSG.

ARAI-rated efficiency sits between 18.72 and 19.66kmpl depending on the variant. Expect city numbers to be lower, typically in the 13–15kmpl range in real-world conditions.

5-Star GNCAP Safety Rating: What You Get Across All Variants

The Kushaq carries its 5-star Global NCAP rating into the facelift. Six airbags are standard across all variants. Every variant also gets ABS, EBD, ESC, rain-sensing wipers, a rear defogger, and hill hold assist on automatic variants. One thing missing, though, is ADAS. No lane keep assist, no autonomous emergency braking. If advanced driver assistance systems are on your must-have list, the Kushaq is not your answer.

New Skoda Kushaq Facelift Variant-Wise Prices

Classic Plus 1.0 MT: Rs 10.69 lakh. The sunroof, LED headlamps, alloy wheels, and 8-speed AT option are already here.

Signature 1.0 MT: Rs 12.19 lakh. Adds the 10.1-inch wireless infotainment, digital cluster, and wireless charging. 8-speed AT version is Rs 13.39 lakh.

Sportline 1.0 MT: Rs 13.29 lakh. Sporty black treatment with red accents, sport seats, and a distinct look without the Monte Carlo price tag. AT is Rs 14.49 lakh.

Prestige 1.0 MT: Rs 14.89 lakh. Ventilated front seats, panoramic sunroof, powered driver seat, rear massage function, and leatherette upholstery. AT version is Rs 16.09 lakh. The 1.5L DSG is Rs 18.79 lakh.

Monte Carlo 1.5L DSG: Rs 18.99 lakh. All-out top-spec treatment with the larger engine, full feature load, and that distinctive black-and-red exterior.

New Skoda Kushaq Facelift vs Volkswagen Taigun

Both the Kushaq and the Taigun share the MQB-A0-IN platform and identical engines. The Kushaq starts Rs 31,000 cheaper. At entry level, the Kushaq also gives you a sunroof and the 8-speed AT option, neither of which the Taigun base offers.

Go mid-spec and the gap widens further. The Kushaq gets rear massage seats. The Taigun does not, at any variant. Boot space is bigger in the Kushaq by 106 litres in standard configuration. For most family buyers who care about rear passenger comfort and storage, the Kushaq makes the stronger case.

The Taigun counters with a 75 percent assured buyback guarantee valid for bookings until May 31, 2026. The Kushaq does not match that specifically. So if resale certainty is the priority, the Taigun has a temporary edge on paper.

Also Read : 2026 Volkswagen Taigun Facelift Launch

New Skoda Kushaq 4-Year Warranty and Free Servicing

Skoda is bundling the Super Care package with the Kushaq facelift. This covers a 4-year or 1,00,000km vehicle warranty, 4 years of roadside assistance, and four labour-free services for up to 2 years or 30,000km.

That is a solid safety net for a first-time European car buyer worried about servicing costs. Skoda's service network has expanded significantly over the last few years, though it is still not as widespread as Hyundai or Maruti in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Should You Buy the New Skoda Kushaq Facelift? Our Honest Take

The Signature AT at Rs 13.39 lakh hits the sweet spot for most buyers. Wireless infotainment, digital cluster, sunroof, 8-speed gearbox, and wireless charging, without stretching to the Rs 15-plus range. It covers everything you need day to day.

If rear passenger comfort matters most, stretch to the Prestige AT at Rs 16.09 lakh. The panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, and rear massage function make long drives genuinely comfortable.

Skip the 1.0L Monte Carlo and go straight to the 1.5L Monte Carlo DSG at Rs 18.99 lakh if you want the complete package with the more powerful engine. That extra 36hp is very noticeable on the highway.

One more thing worth noting: the 5-star GNCAP rating is not a marketing number. It means this car has been tested at real-world crash speeds and passed. In a segment where safety ratings vary wildly, that matters.