Skoda Kushaq Old Vs New: What All Has Changed?

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Adopts aggressive Modern Solid design with connected LED bar
Panoramic sunroof and first-in-segment rear seat massage added
Boot space increased to 491 litres for better practicality
1.0 TSI now gets smoother, more efficient 8-speed automatic
Major feature upgrades like 360 degree camera and wireless charging

Skoda Kushaq Old Vs New: Skoda has finally unveiled the much awaited update of the Kushaq, the facelifted version or what we'll are calling the 2026 Kushaq. The new Kushaq doesn't seems just like a facelifted version/cosmetic update of the outgoing model, but much more than that. The Kushaq has now become more value for money, which eventually makes it a product tailored for Indian market.

The topic today is "What all has changed" in the Kushaq when we compare it to the outgoing model. Should you consider buying the newer model over the older one (ignoring whatever money it saves you)? Let's talk in detail, but make sure you join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Community to stay versed on the latest automotive news.

Skoda Kushaq Old Vs New: Design Changes

The facelifted Kushaq follows Skoda's newer global design philosophy, often referred to as "Modern Solid," and the difference is instantly noticeable.

Front-end Changes

The older Kushaq had a clean and understated look. The new one, however, feels more assertive and agressive. It now features slimmer LED headlamps with eyebrow-style DRLs, a much larger grille, and a redesigned bumper that incorporates a silver skid plate for a rugged touch. On higher trims, there's also a light band across the grille, adding a premium visual signature.

Side Profile

The silhouette remains largely unchanged, but the facelift introduces new alloy wheel designs. Top trims now get fresh 17-inch diamond-cut wheels, while lower variants come with 16-inch units. The overall stance remains familiar, but the detailing feels more sophisticated.

Rear Design

This is where the biggest transformation has happened. The old Kushaq had simple, separated tail lamps. The new version now features a full-width connected LED light bar and illuminated Skoda branding on select trims. The bumper has also been reworked, giving the SUV a wider and more planted look.

New Colours

Skoda has refreshed the colour palette as well. While some familiar shades continue, new additions like Cherry Red, Shimla Green, and Steel Grey help the facelift stand out from its predecessor.

Dimensions: Slightly Bigger

The new Kushaq is marginally longer than before. The increase is minimal and likely due to redesigned bumpers, but the width, height and wheelbase remain unchanged. In real-world terms, you won't feel a major difference in road presence, but the visual upgrades make it appear larger.

Interior: More Premium, More Practical

The cabin layout is largely familiar, but Skoda has focused on improving quality, comfort and feature availability.

What's New Inside?

A dual-tone interior theme on select trims
New seat upholstery patterns and colours
A larger 10.25-inch digital driver display
A bigger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Panoramic sunroof on higher variants (single-pane on lower trims)
Rear seat massage function (first-in-segment)

Unlike the older model, where several desirable features were limited to top trims, the facelift democratizes many of them. More variants now get features that were previously exclusive.

Skoda Kushaq Old Vs New: Feature Additions

One of the biggest criticisms of the old Kushaq was the lack of some modern features. Skoda has addressed most of them.

Newly added or improved features include:

360-degree camera
Front parking sensors
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Ventilated and powered front seats
Wireless phone charger
Auto-dimming IRVM
Electronic parking brake
Voice commands powered by AI-based assistant
Enhanced sound system

These changes make the new Kushaq feel far more competitive against rivals like the Creta and Seltos.

Boot Space: Bigger and More Usable

The old Kushaq offered decent boot space, but the facelift takes it a step further. The new model now offers 491 litres of luggage capacity - significantly more than before. This makes it more family-friendly and better suited for road trips.

Powertrain: Same Engines, Smarter Gearbox

Skoda has retained the same engines, which is good news because they were already among the strongest in the segment.

Engines (Unchanged)

1.0L TSI turbo-petrol: Strong balance of performance and efficiency
1.5L TSI turbo-petrol: Known for its punchy performance and Active Cylinder Technology

What's New?

The biggest change is in the automatic gearbox for the 1.0L engine. The older model used a 6-speed torque converter. The new one now gets an 8-speed torque converter automatic, which should improve smoothness, drivability, and fuel efficiency.

The 1.5L engine continues with the 7-speed DSG and no manual option.

Safety

The outgoing Kushaq earned a 5-star Global NCAP rating, and Skoda has made it clear that safety remains a core focus.

The facelift continues with:

Six airbags
ESC
Hill-hold assist
Traction control
Tyre pressure monitoring system
ISOFIX mounts
Rollover protection

Trims: More Variety This Time

The facelift introduces a clearer and more diverse trim lineup:

Classic+
Signature
Sportline
Prestige
Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo edition is available right from launch this time, offering a darker interior theme and sportier exterior styling.

Read more:

91Wheels' Verdict

The original Kushaq laid a solid foundation, but the facelift builds upon it in every meaningful way. It looks sharper, feels more premium inside, offers more features, provides more boot space, and introduces a better automatic gearbox. Rather than being a simple cosmetic update, this facelift fixes most of the pain points of the earlier model - making the new Kushaq a much more complete package.