Skoda Kushaq: This new model is likely to challenge existing SUVs in Nepal

Skoda Kushaq has made its way to Nepal recently. And, it is going to be a tough challenge for all existing SUVs in this market range.

Skoda vehicles are known for their build quality, safety feature, driving pleasure, comfort and performance. Keeping this in mind, MAW, the authorised importer of Skoda vehicles has introduced its most anticipated SUV, Skoda Kushaq, in Nepal. After revealing the price on July 18, the SUV has been available in showrooms across Nepal for test drive and booking.

Overall, Kushaq has been made one of the favourites in the mid-range category of SUVs. So let’s see what this latest release of Skoda is providing.

Specifications

Design

Talking about the design, Skoda Kushaq perfectly symbolises the Skoda genes in a mid-size SUV. Upfront is the signature Skoda butterfly grille, flanked by sleek headlamps with LED DRLs. The fog lamps have been positioned under the headlamp, in the bumper. The muscular front bumper gives the Kushaq a bold stance. On the sides, it has 17-inch alloy wheels. The dual-tone alloy wheels get a brushed finish on the outside with glossy gunmetal grey towards the inside.

Towards the rear, the Skoda Kushaq gets a very short overhang. Skoda Kushaq comes with a modern design, complete with split taillamps. The reflectors on both sides of the SUV are connected by a chrome strip that runs along the width of the tailgate.

Interiors

The Skoda Kushaq’s interior unites ergonomics with a harmonious and emotive design. The car features a central, free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel.

The SUV provides a boot capacity of 385 litres that can be increased to 1,405 litres by folding down the rear seats. Ambient lighting illuminates the dashboard and door handles, while the door handles, handbrake locking button and air vents are chrome-plated and the gearstick knob is upholstered in leather.

The Style variant includes front ventilated black leather seats upholstered in perforated grey design and black leatherette armrests on the centre console and the doors.

Engine

The new Kushaq offer an advanced and efficient TSI engine. The TSI engine is the latest technology award-winning engine that has won the International Engine of the year award. Thanks to their particularly low fuel consumption, the direct-injection petrol engines make them more efficient.

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI produces an output of 85 kW (115 PS) and 178 Nm Torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or a new-generation six-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort, convenience and connectivity

The brand-new Skoda Kushaq comes with a choice of two modern infotainment systems, each of which enables smartphone integration via SmartLink technology. The Ambition and Style trim levels include the range-topping infotainment system with a 25.4 cm colour touchscreen akin to smartphones whereas the lower-trim gets a 17.78 cm touchscreen.

The 25.4 cm infotainment also features a dual tuner, a wifi hotspot, an external microphone for hands-free phone calls, valet mode and also enables Wireless SmartLink. The Skoda Kushaq comes with six speakers: two front high-tone tweeters, two front-bass speakers and two wide-range speakers in the rear – providing a wide frequency range and guaranteeing excellent sound. The Style trim level meanwhile comes with the Skoda sound system.

There are two USB-C ports in the front centre console for connecting data and charging as well as two at the rear for charging mobile devices. The Style trim also provides a wireless charging function.

The Kushaq comes with a touch-controlled climatronic with air care function in Ambition and Style variants.

Safety

Skoda Kushaq features first in the segment, electronic stability control as standard, along with rollover protection and multi-collision braking (MKB). The vehicle also boasts excellent active and passive safety features, with fitment depending on the trim level. Features such as hill-hold control and a tyre pressure monitoring system that ensures a comfortable journey for the driver. Occupants are protected by up to six airbags while all five seats feature three-point seat belts and height-adjustable headrests. ISOFIX and top-tether anchor ensure the greatest possible safety for the vehicle’s youngest passengers.

The vehicle also comes with parking sensors as standard while Ambition Onwards also gets a rearview camera with static guidelines. The vehicle also comes equipped with brake assist features like ABS (anti-lock braking), EBD (electronic brake force distribution), along with varied segment-first features like EDS with XDS & XDS + (electronic differential lock – advanced differential lock), HBV (hydraulic brake-boosting), and BSW (brake disc wiping) that enhance the safety.

Some other key features of Skoda Kushaq are:

• Abundance safety features
• Modern design
• Big infotainment system
• Powered by the globally acclaimed TSI technology with  engine options: 1.0L, delivering 115 PS and 178 Nm torque respectively
• Transmission options: 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic
• Three trims on offer: Active, Ambition and Style
• Four-colour options: honey orange, tornado red, candy white, reflex silver and carbon steel

Price

The prices of the Skoda Kushaq for its different variants are:

The authorised dealer, MAW, has announced customer-centric initiatives to make the buying process easy. It has brought a scheme where customers can buy Kushaq at a fixed interest rate of 5.99 % for 5 years.