Skoda Kushaq, Track Test

The Skoda Kushaq, along with its VW sibling, has been one of the most anticipated vehicles of 2021. One quick drive in the new Skoda SUV and you immediately see that the fuss is well deserved. With the class-leading MQB platform beneath the skin, the Kushaq drives fluently and the chassis really enhances the overall experience. The styling, too, is quintessentially Skoda, and all the familiar brand traits are present in what is an elegant overall package. However, the initial hiccups with the fuelling system do mean that the reputation of the Kushaq took a bit of a beating – with the online space full of customer grievances, all of which Skoda has subsequently corrected, mind you.

And it must be said that we haven’t faced any issues with the various variants of the Kushaq that we’ve driven extensively over the past six months or so. And both 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre versions remain very engaging to drive. The chassis dynamics are terrific and this is a car that you enjoy pushing, whether it’s at the track or out on the open road. The handling remains neutral, and the turn-in is quite eager, while the engines – particularly the 1.5-litre unit – allows you to really exploit the chassis’ capabilities. The gearboxes too are some of the best units in the segment, and, no matter which variant you choose, they all work exceedingly well.

Where it does differ from its sibling – design aside – is that the suspension on the Kushaq seems to be a bit softer, which results in slightly less outright performance compared with the Taigun. And, given the fuel pump issues, it’s playing a bit of catch up in the minds of the customer. But, having said that, the Kushaq remains a formidable competitor and a stellar product, which offers a great driving SUV to Indian customers.

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