Skoda Kushaq: The New Gold Standard in Passenger Safety

While we’ve always known that Skoda cars are built like a tank, it's now backed with scientific proof, for the Kushaq has scored a stellar five-star rating in the Global NCAP crash tests.

Skoda is a brand that’s known for its vault-like build quality. But its INDIA 2.0 project was an attempt to enter new territory with the MQB-A0-IN – a platform specially developed for India. The platform focuses on lower ownership costs with 95% localisation. However, we couldn’t help but ask the following question – would this India-developed platform maintain the same standards of safety as Skoda’s international offerings?

We now have a solid answer to that. As it turns out, while Skoda developed the platform at lower costs and with high amounts of localisation, the company has maintained the same no-compromise focus on safety, for the Skoda Kushaq has achieved the highest stamp of approval – it’s been awarded a full 5-stars crash test rating in the latest Global NCAP crash tests. What’s even more impressive is that the Kushaq is the first made-in-India vehicle tested under GNCAP’s newer and more stringent test protocols. It simply obliterated the competition, since no other India-made car has received a full 5 stars in adult and child occupant safety. While there has been no dearth of 5-star cars in India – under the old protocol – the Kushaq is the only car to score a full five for both adults and children. This makes the Kushaq the safest India-made car.   

The Kushaq scored a stellar 29.64 out of 34 points in the adult occupant protection test and 42 out of 49 points in the child occupant protection test.

Commenting on this achievement, Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, ‘The Volkswagen Group has always focused on providing the highest level of safety across its model range. Safety has always been central to our R&D process. The Made-in-India, Made-for-India MQB-A0-IN platform is no exception. It has been internally tested for various impacts and is developed with a key focus on safety. This is an important milestone and a gratifying accomplishment for us, as both our INDIA 2.0 SUV models have achieved the pinnacle of global safety standards. Since the launch of the Skoda Kushaq, it’s established a strong market presence and contributed significantly to the success of the brand and the Group in India. I am confident that this recognition will help continue our brand’s growth momentum.’

Christian Cahn von Seelen, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, ‘For the Volkswagen Group, the safety of our customers and their loved ones is paramount. Safety in our cars is not an optional accessory, it forms the core of our DNA. The design, dimensions, and materials used in the cabin may differ among our car models, but one constant is our rigorous pursuit of keeping the driver and occupants safe in our cars. I am proud and humbled that a prestigious organisation like Global NCAP has acknowledged our efforts, awarding the highest safety ratings for the Skoda Kushaq, especially the never attained level of child safety.’

Global NCAP’s updated crash test protocols include frontal and side-impact crash tests for all models to be tested. New vehicles are required to have Electronic Stability Control (ESC), pedestrian protection, and side impact pole protection assessments in order to score the highest star ratings. For the crash test, GNCAP used the base variant of the Kushaq, which comes standard with dual airbags, ABS and EBD, ESC, Traction Control, 3-point rear seatbelts, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and more. In its base variant, the Kushaq demonstrated stable structural integrity in the frontal impact, while offering adequate to good protection for adult occupants and marginal to good protection in the side impact scenarios.

In the side impact pole protection test, GNCAP used the higher variant of the Kushaq, which is equipped with six airbags, and it was rated ‘OK’. A good score in the side impact tests is also thanks to the Kushaq’s impact-absorbing body components and Side Impact Protection Beam in the doors, which is standard in all variants.  

These tests prove it’s not just the airbags or the active or passive safety features in the Kushaq that play a crucial role in keeping passengers safe but also the entire platform’s crashworthiness and ability to absorb the impact. This goes to prove that with the Kushaq, the MQB-A0-IN platform, and the India 2.0 project, Skoda has not compromised in terms of safety and crashworthiness.

After all, safety is the one feature you can never accessorise or fit aftermarket. With these latest crash test ratings, Skoda has proven that safety is at the core of all its engineering and development. With the latest crash ratings, the Kushaq has proven to be the safest car in India with its construction, quality, and technology that allows you to Protect What Matters.

Mr.Petr Šolc, Brand Director, ŠKODA AUTO India

“At ŠKODA, safety is not just a feature. It is an essential part of our brand DNA. Today, I am extremely proud to share that the KUSHAQ has received a 5-star safety rating by Global NCAP for both adult and child occupants, making it the first car made in India to do so. It is a proud moment for all of us at ŠKODA to have India’s safest family car leading our growth story in India. The KUSHAQ, along with the SLAVIA, drives the success of ŠKODA’s INDIA 2.0 project. In a very short time, it has created a space for itself among SUV enthusiasts across the country. The intelligent, Simply Clever solutions and advanced safety features have been appreciated by experts as well as our valuable customers.”

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