[Guna]

Originally Posted by ramki.grandhi

This zigwheels video says, prices may start 9 lacs.

Polo GT is close to 10 lacs ex showroom Bangalore (Highline Plus manual is 8.4). If Kushaq or Taigan is available for 9 lacs (ex showroom), I can see many potential buyers of Polo TSI switching to one of these cars. Agree that Polo is a hot hatchback with it's own advantages but with the same money you get a car which is nearly equally fun to drive but which is also modern and practical. I myself have been thinking about the Polo GT for sometime but now a competitively priced Kushaq/Taigun can open up new possibilities

[ramki.grandhi]

Originally Posted by Guna

Polo GT is close to 10 lacs ex showroom Bangalore (Highline Plus manual is 8.4). If Kushaq or Tiguan is available for 9 lacs (ex showroom), I can see many potential buyers of Polo TSI switching to one of these cars.

Not sure if this is a right comparison, i.e. with polo. Because polo is better loaded even from base variant. I've strong feeling that Skoda might introduce Kushaq at 9.99 ex showroom for base variant as the Rapid(rider) is priced at 7.8.

2.2 lacs more for similar size car is a reasonable ask, I guess. Unless VW group becomes little greedy. From one of Zac's interviews, I hear that Skoda is targeting really big numbers with Kushaq. And that's not going to happen with Kushaq if they price above Seltos/Creta, as it is smaller car.

Does anyone know, how % for Rapid is localized?

[bimmer1988]

A quick question folks. The height of 1612 mm - is it inclusive of the roof rails or without it ?

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by bimmer1988

A quick question folks. The height of 1612 mm - is it inclusive of the roof rails or without it ?

Inclusive of the roof-rails.

[ajaiD]

My experience with the Karoq from the inside was that it had similar space as compared to my Compass or Seltos.

Don't see how they will extract space here while reducing the size.

[Shreyas_H]

Originally Posted by ajaiD

My experience with the Karoq from the inside was that it had similar space as compared to my Compass or Seltos.

Don't see how they will extract space here while reducing the size.

While the dimensions are smaller, the wheelbase of the Kushaq is actually longer than the Karoq. That plus a smaller boot should result in good interior space.
Width remains an issue though but I don't see knee-room being a problem.

[Behemoth]

Originally Posted by ajaiD

My experience with the Karoq from the inside was that it had similar space as compared to my Compass or Seltos.

Don't see how they will extract space here while reducing the size.

The ways to increase the interior size of a car are quite easy and in the case of the Kushaq what they have done is:
1) Reduce the front engine bay size, as it only needs to accomodate 1L and 1.5 L Tsi engines which are smaller than the 2L Tsi or larger TDI engines which the Karoq is designed for.

2) Reduce the rake angle of the windshield (compared to Compass) and make it slightly more upright. This frees up space horizontally.

3) reduce the interior protrusion of the dashboard to increase cabin space and also the interior protrusions from the doors to increase seat width.

4) give a fully sunken spare wheel recess to free up more usable boot space. karoq does not have a fully sunken spare wheel well and that wastes boot space when the boot floor is so raised.

5) reduce the height of the transmission hump as Kushaq will never have 4x4 and does not need a tall hump.

These are some of the design aspects that many current cars are following and have managed to liberate great space inside the cabin.
To give some examples:
Honda Jazz
Renault Triber
Nissam Magnite
Renault Kiger

[Carz77]

Originally Posted by Behemoth

The ways to increase the interior size of a car are quite easy and in the case of the Kushaq what they have done is:
1) Reduce the front engine bay size, as it only needs to accomodate 1L and 1.5 L Tsi engines which are smaller than the 2L Tsi or larger TDI engines which the Karoq is designed for.

2) Reduce the rake angle of the windshield (compared to Compass) and make it slightly more upright. This frees up space horizontally.

These are some of the design aspects that many current cars are following and have managed to liberate great space inside the cabin.
To give some examples:
Honda Jazz

I agree. It really calls for good engineering to manage interior space with exterior constraints.
I have a Honda Jazz and it is under 4M, but the amount of interior space is amazing, including the boot space. I never faced issues with boot capacity for a long-weekend trip (family of 4 to 5). Hopefully, Kushaq also delivers all the interior space to consider it as a perfect upgrade to my Jazz...!!!

[rahulcmoulee]

More than legroom, it is the width that seems to be a cause for concern. The body itself is ever so slightly narrower than an Ecosport which is infamous for its tight rear bench. All journos have already said it is mostly a 4 seater and the 5th passenger would not be comfortable.

[RD150]

Spotted one kushaq without the camouflage near Skoda plant in chakan. Couldn't click as was on bike. And as expected road presence is pretty average. Just a bit better than Magnite. Doesn't stand out the way korean twins did when launched. Skoda have to price this aggressively.

[abhishek_hch]

The assumption that road presence and price should be highly correlated has a lot of currency amongst us

It just struck me a while back that Venue doesn't have a lot of road presence. Infact it has the worst road presence in the segment especially from the rear. From the front it looks quite buch. It is not also priced at a discount and yet sells really well, outselling most of its rival. Kushaq is similar - front looks are more imposing than the one from the back. It may do a Venue on sales too (i.e. relative to Skoda's numbers, it can never do 8-10 thousand units a month). As an allied thought, if road presence were so material, Duster would have sold much much more than the boxy Creta as well as Seltos.

[Sebring]

I'm confused. Is this car going to be pitted against Venue and Sonet? All along I was thinking it to be in Creta league

Originally Posted by abhishek_hch

It just struck me a while back that Venue doesn't have a lot of road presence. Infact it has the worst road presence in the segment especially from the rear. From the front it looks quite buch. It is not also priced at a discount and yet sells really well, outselling most of its rival.

[abhishek_hch]

Originally Posted by Sebring

I'm confused. Is this car going to be pitted against Venue and Sonet? All along I was thinking it to be in Creta league

I had used the words - in the segment, should have rather used its in place of the. Let me explain to clear my views.

Venue sells really well despite looking like an i20 from behind. Brezza, Sonet, Magnite et al look much more buch. Yet Venue which is pitted against them (and not i20) sells really well in that segment.

Similarly, Kushaq ultimately may not have the road presence of its rivals that it is pitted against (Creta, Seltos et al) and yet can manage to sell well.

Venue in its segment & Kushaq in its segment - the two don't intersect.

[Sebring]

Venue, Brezza, Sonet cater to a 'utilitarian segment'. The buyers genuinely need a comfortable car, that can also lug a bit of luggage - with good ground clearance to escape the 'City's lunar landscape' (Main reason). When it comes to Creta, Seltos etc style does creep into the equation. People want to make a noticeable entry. These are purely my thoughts on this, you may differ.

Originally Posted by abhishek_hch

I had used the words - in the segment, should have rather used its in place of the. Let me explain to clear my views. Venue sells really well despite looking like an i20 from behind. Brezza, Sonet, Magnite et al look much more buch. Yet Venue which is pitted against them (and not i20) sells really well in that segment.

[abhishek_hch]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Venue, Brezza, Sonet cater to a 'utilitarian segment'. The buyers genuinely need a comfortable car, that can also lug a bit of luggage - with good ground clearance to escape the 'City's lunar landscape' (Main reason).

Well currently I am a willing & eager buyer in this segment ! Have been in the market for sometime to buy an automatic CSUV/SUV. Test drove the Venue DCT when launched - liked the drive but didn't like a few other things (not road presence though ). Then came Seltos, fell in love with it. I actually booked it but lockdown kicked in just before delivery. I have postponed my buy since but will most likely get a car home this year. And I am very much interested in Kushaq.

It will most likely offer me - better driving dynamics, better rear seat leg room, a more balanced ride quality, ESC, rear seat head rests, split seats, better build quality & may offer me more airbags & hill hold etc. for the same price. Things I am really interested in and won't get in a Seltos HTK+. I am willing to trade this for size and boot space. Seltos NCAP rating also weighs on the mind.

ASS and FE in bumper to bumper Bangalore traffic remain the only imponderables for me. But who knows the scale may tilt in Kushaqs favor for me & I am sure there would be many others like me not obsessed with just the road presence.