Skoda Kushaq Gets An Uber Cool Matte Edition

• Skoda Kushaq Matte Edition launched in India from Rs 16.19 lakh. 
• Based on the Style trim and commands a Rs 40,000 premium. 
• Gets a Matte Carbon Steel colour with certain blacked-out exterior elements. 
• Inside, it gets the larger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a subwoofer. 
• Offered with both the 1-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine options.

Skoda India has launched the Kushaq Matte Edition from Rs 16.19 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the first time Skoda is offering a matte paint scheme for the Kushaq and even better, it can be had with both 1-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. The Kushaq Matte Edition will slot in between the Style and Monte Carlo trims in the lineup. 

Here’s a look at the variant-wise prices and the premium it commands over the Style trim:

The Kushaq Matte Edition commands a Rs 40,000 premium over the Style variant it’s based on. And the main change for the extra dough is the new Matte Carbon Steel grey shade that looks dope. To make it look stealthy, Skoda has blacked out certain bits such as the ORVMs, door handles and spoiler. 

However, bits such as the badging and grille are still finished in chrome which, according to this author’s opinion, should have been in black, for a more aggressive look. 

Another upgrade the Matte Edition gets over the Style trim is the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system instead of the smaller 8-inch unit. The larger infotainment supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the sound is routed through a six-speaker sound system and a subwoofer. To know more about the Kushaq’s features list, check out our first drive review. 

No changes have been made underneath the hood. The Matte Edition Kushaq is offered with both the 115PS 1-litre three-cylinder and 150PS four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines. A six-speed manual is offered as standard, while the automatic options include both a six-speed torque converter and a seven-speed DSG with the 1-litre and 1.5-litre TSI engines, respectively. 

There’s only one catch to all of this: the Kushaq Matte Edition is limited to 500 units. So be quick if you consider bringing one home. The Skoda Kushaq continues to rival the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, VW Taigun as well as the upcoming Honda Elevate, Citroen C3 Aircross and the facelifted Kia Seltos.