Skoda Celebrates First Anniversary Of Kushaq By Making It More Fuel-efficient

The Skoda Kushaq celebrates its one-year anniversary in India, and to commemorate it, the carmaker has tinkered around with the SUV (for not the first time) and has made its 1-litre TSI variants more frugal.

This is thanks to Skoda making the auto idle start-stop feature, which was earlier limited to the 1.5-litre TSI variants, as standard on the 1-litre trims. The carmaker claims the fuel efficiency gains are around the seven to nine per cent mark. For reference, the 1-litre TSI offered up to 17.88kmpl when paired with a 6-speed manual and 15.78kmpl with the torque converter auto ‘box. 

The Kushaq’s 1-litre TSI petrol mill makes 115PS, while on the other hand, the 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine delivers 150PS and can be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic unit.

This latest update comes off the back of the introduction of a new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and an 8-inch digital driver display for the Kushaq’s top-spec Style trim, as well as TPMS and push-button start/stop as standard on all trims. 

Skoda retails the Kushaq at prices ranging from Rs 11.29 lakh to Rs 19.49 lakh (ex-showroom). It takes on the likes of the Volkswagen Taigun, MG Astor, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and the Nissan Kicks. The upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder as well as the Maruti Grand Vitara will soon join the party.