Looking to replace my Jazz with a Skoda Kushaq 1.0L TSI: Analysis

Currently, the salesman is pitching for this 'Older' version of Signature Variant 1.0. TSI and they have auto variant.

BHPian aaren recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Over the past few months, as my Honda Jazz was aging, have been considering to buy a new car. Primary requirements:

• A compact SUV / SUV - of the size of Kushaq / Elevate / AirCross / Hyryder fpr their higher seat positioning stance
• Leaning towards Auto Transmission
• No Korean vehicles and
• A budget of about Rs. 17.00 Lakhs (on road price)

With that in mind, been considering the following options:

• Honda Elevate
• Skoda Kushaq
• Toyota Hyryder
• Citroen's AirCross SUV

On 13th October, had a short test drive of Kushaq. It was a Signature Line 1.0. TSI MT vehicle

My initial impressions:

• When I started and driving the vehicle, I felt that I was sitting in a solidly built vehicle. That reassurance could be felt.
• Coming from Jazz (since 2011), it took time for me adjust to the new settings. In fact this is the reason why I took the MT vehicle for the test drive.
• The clutch and the brake have a very long reach as compared to Jazz - the clutch has to be literally pushed whereas in Jazz it is perfect. Especially for folks who are short, it can be a bit challenging.
• The light indicators stalks are on the left side and the wiper stalk on the right side as compared to the Japanese vehicles.
• I drove the test drive vehicle over a pot hole - and there was good amount of transmission of vibration into the cabin. I thought the pot hole will be handled with ease. It did not.
• The acceleration was quite good and the instrument panel shows which gear one is in and then prompts to shift the gear up.
• The NVH levels in the test vehicle were quite ok. Not too noise crept into the cabin.
• I felt that the IRVM is quite narrow / small as compared to what is present in Jazz.

Currently, the salesman is pitching for this 'Older' version of Signature Variant 1.0. TSI and they have auto variant. The only discordant note is that this variant has 2 Airbags and not 6 Airbags. The OTR price (without Exchange price) comes to about Rs.16.50 lakhs. But with the long reach of clutch and brake - for me it is a bit of a put off.

By the by, I also saw a Hyryder and sat in the cabin and checked the clutch and brake reach - it was just like the Jazz.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.