The Kushaq Monte Carlo is likely to be offered with both 1.0L TSI and 1.5 TSI engine options.

In November last year, we had reported that Skoda was planning to launch the Kushaq Monte Carlo in India. Now, the first images of the SUV have surfaced online, and it could go on sale next month.

As per the leaked images, the Kushaq Monte Carlo is likely to get an all-black grille with smoked LED headlamps on either side. The SUV also gets gloss black trim on the exterior, black ORVMs, roof rails and dual-tone alloy wheels.

Inside, the Kushaq Monte Carlo is expected to get black upholstery with red highlights. The car seen in the images has a black dashboard with gloss red trim. In terms of features, this variant is expected to get a digital instrument cluster, a sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated front seats and a 6-speaker audio system.

The Kushaq Monte Carlo is likely to be offered with the same engine options as the standard Kushaq. These include 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI that makes 113 BHP and 178 Nm and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder TSI that puts out 148 BHP and 250 Nm, while transmission options will include a 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic option and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Source: Autocar India

The place where Kushaq excels is easy ingress & egress.

BHPian sachin_cs recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

After spending 2 days with Kushaq & Slavia, I would choose the Slavia for following reasons:

• Feels a notch above in interiors

• Personal opinion: Looks hot & imposing as it's the largest car in it's segment unlike Kushaq

• Moving from Rapid to Kushaq means compromise in boot space

• The way it drives and handles, it's after a very long time that I fell head over heels for a car

• More features at less price, some variants are 1L cheaper

The place where Kushaq excels is easy ingress & egress.

All pictures were clicked in Goa.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

1.5 TSI DSG is hoot to drive and you just want to keep driving. It is effortless in the city and on the highways. DSG never gets confused, whether you are on biggest of inclines or you are trying to overtake or just want to drive sedately.

BHPian sid2017 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I too did a road-trip of around 500kms and your post just reminded me to share the experience.

I have Skoda Kushaq 1.5TSI with the (in-)famous DSG transmission and completed 1200kms till date. 1.5DSG is hoot to drive and you just want to keep driving. It is effortless in the city and on the highways. DSG never gets confused whether you are on biggest of inclines, you are trying to overtake or just want to drive sedately. Kushaq never feels unsettled at any legal speed and is joy to drive in ghats. This car is really meant for long trips. It has been a very enjoyable initial ownership experience of Kushaq.

So, how do I feel about my overall experience as first time Skoda customer till date?

I was disappointed when Skoda Kushaq 1.5 DSG was launched with only two airbags. Still I went for test drive and was mighty impressed with its performance. I told SA that I really like the vehicle but I will only buy the six-airbag version of it and to contact me whenever Skoda launches the same.

Meanwhile, I took test-drives of Seltos, Creta, T-Roc and Compass. I really liked T-Roc, rejected it because I was skeptical of part availability. Jeep Compass Petrol gearbox is very sluggish and did not suite my driving style. Seltos and Creta are good cars to drive but 3 stars came in between.

So I waited for Taigun, booked one in Oct. In the same period, Skoda launched the six airbag version of Kushaq. The same SA called me and asked if I am still interested in Kushaq and would like to test drive. I said if you could bring it home for test drive then why not. He bought the car home for test drive and returned with booking amount .

I had the budget of 27-28 lakhs but did not like any other car than Octavia which was little over than my budget. I thought lets buy Kushaq and keep the amount saved in a well-balanced portfolio named as DQ200. The car was delivered on time, no bad experience as such to share , in fact all the good memories.

Lately, there have been lot of bashing for Kushaq/Slavia for its cheap looking interiors, roof liners, rattling, EPC issues etc. EPC issue is a serious one and I think Skoda got the well-deserved stick for that. Let's see how good a job is done by service center. I am still fine with interiors and roof liner as I think those are comparable in the segment and only MG Astor has better interiors.

There has been some rattling noise from doors, but its ok, it happens.

I just sent my car for replacing door-beading today and I will receive it tomorrow. I know it will get fixed and maybe 1-2 service center visits are required in a year. But, I am not too cynical about it. The car drives exceptionally well and I keep finding the reasons to drive it.

I think Skoda has improved, is putting the efforts and I have decent experience with them. Skoda Kushaq style variants are definitely overpriced by around 1.5 lakhs. But ambition variant is priced well for what it offers.

Lets not be too negative and appreciate each car for its strength. No car is perfect and nor is mine.

From a recent trip to Mahabaleshwar:

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Earlier, Kushaq customers had reported EPC errors due to a faulty fuel pump.

According to some reports, Skoda is replacing the wheel bearings on select Kushaq SUVs under warranty.

Particular VIN numbers are eligible for the replacement. However, since this isn't a proper recall, Skoda hasn't shared the VIN details of the affected cars.

Customers can check if their vehicle is among those affected by calling on - 1800 123 090 909. Once it is confirmed that your car is eligible, they will route it to the CRM of your dealership.

It is not the first time that the Kushaq has been recalled. Earlier, customers across India had reported EPC errors due to a faulty fuel pump.

Thanks to BHPian ramgkulkarni for sharing this information with other enthusiasts!

The amount can be redeemed against authorized services, parts and genuine accessories.

Skoda is offering a discount of Rs 9,000 in lieu of the refund for the Rs 24,999 SMP package bought along with the Kushaq.

It is being offered to early-bird customers who purchased the Kushaq in the first lot and also opted for the SMP package. The amount can be redeemed against authorized services, parts and genuine accessories.

Kushaq owners have received a notification of the offer on the MySkoda App, which states that the discount can be availed through a coupon booklet which will be dispatched on or before March 31, 2022.

Thanks to BHPian maverickNerd for sharing this information with other enthusiasts!

2022 Kushaq Style comes with 6 airbags as standard. The Active and Ambition variants are available with 2 airbags.

Skoda is no longer offering the 'Style' variant of the Kushaq with 2 airbags. Instead, the fully-loaded trim comes equipped with 6 airbags.

The Kushaq Style with 6 airbags was launched in November last year. It comes with front side and curtain airbags in addition to the driver and passenger airbags. At the time, it cost Rs 40,000 more than the 2-airbag version. However, the MY2022 Skoda Kushaq Style costs Rs 70,000 more than the 2021 version.

The Kushaq Style also gets the larger 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol engine. It produces 148 BHP and 250 Nm and comes mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Active and Ambition variants are available with 2-airbags instead of six. Also, the lower variants are powered by a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 113 BHP and 178 Nm and come with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The other car which I had in mind was the Kia Sonet 1.5 diesel AT, but it had a long waiting period.

BHPian karan561 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Likes:

1. Handsome Looks & Stylish Wheels.
2. Ride Quality & Handling Impartiality.
3. 1.0L TSi Engine Performance & Sound.
4. MQB-A0-IN Platform Feel & Exterior Build Quality.

Dislikes:

1. Poor FE in City traffic & during Short runabouts.
2. Missing Features (360 Degree Camera, Powered Seats).
3. Interiors don't feel as special or premium as the Kia Seltos.
4. Early Reliability Woes (EPC related confusion/complaints) & Recalls.

Video Review: This video discusses the 1L EA211 Engine Performance, AQ250 Gearbox, Ride & Handling. In addition to that, it also covers the FAQ’s I keep getting asked & has an interesting segment that discusses "What feels like a Skoda & what doesn't ?".

Here's a timestamp for the topics discussed in the video:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:59 - Platform
• 1:51 - Engine Performance (1L EA211)
• 3:51 - Torque Converter Gearbox (AQ250)
• 5:20 - Ride & Handling
• 7:47 - Exteriors & Interiors
• 12:47 - What Feels like a Skoda & What doesn't?
• 17:19 - FAQ's
• 22:10 - Conclusion.

Booking & Dealership Experience

The Skoda Kushaq replaces my Ford Ecosport 1.5 (N/A) Petrol DCT. The other car which I had in mind was the Kia Sonet 1.5 Diesel A/T but unfortunately due to supply issues, it wasn't worth waiting for it as during late July when I had enquired I got to know people who had booked since March hadn't received their Sonet. Though I had some contacts which would have enabled a faster delivery (4-5 weeks) but did not activate that option as it did not feel right. So finally made up my mind on the Kushaq and booked it on 31st July 2021. This car was booked without checking her out in the showroom & without a Test Drive. In fact, the first time I saw/experienced a Kushaq was around the 3rd week of August 2021 in my car on the day of the PDI. Special thanks & credit goes to TEAM-BHP Official Review which helped me go ahead with this choice without having the need to go check her out physically or requiring a Test Drive.

I had 2 dealers (JMD & Mody) in mind & I had given both of them the opportunity. JMD was not really interested to sell & at the same time I had got to know what one of their dealerships in New Mumbai had recently shut down hence it was not really confidence-inspiring for me to put my money at JMD hence naturally I picked Mody as it was a newer (Opened in early 2021) & more responsive dealership.

The Corporate Manager at Mody Skoda was very professional and kept most communication via email & always available over the phone too. Mody Skoda did not charge me any extra money for things like vehicle handling charges or compulsory accessory kits etc. Insurance too was very high at first as per Skoda Insurance but they matched my quote and also allowed self-registration without unnecessary arguments but did verify data/facts to seek official permission. Extended Warranty Payment was also done through the online link officially.

Overall my experience with Mody Skoda right from Booking to PDI to the Delivery process was Very Satisfactory, Here's a video capturing all the excitement from the Delivery/Collection Day of my Skoda Kushaq. It also includes a quick Walkaround discussing the Exterior/Interior, Platform, Engine/Gearbox, Tyres etc. & also explains my buy decision.

Platform

MQB-A0-IN is actually based on the success of the Skoda SCALA which was the 1st Skoda product to receive the MQBA0 platform which got modified to the MQB-A0-IN platform to accommodate Indian models for the Skoda & VW Stable in the form of the India 2.0 Strategy. MQBA0IN being a Modular Transverse Matrix Platform not only frees up more space but also allows different engines, gearboxes, wheelbases and body styles to spawn more models for both VW & Skoda. This monocoque allows Kushaq to remain on a diet (Weight wise) at the same time retains the build (Exterior) quality.

Engine Performance

First things First, I got to admit that this 3cyl 1L TSi (Belonging to the EA211 family of engines) is a great sounding engine, has a very Sporty Sound. But what about performance? If I had to pick what I like the most about this engine; is it the Bottom End or Mid Range or Top End? I'd surely pick the Mid Range. The Turbocharger does a good job in keeping things VERY interesting between 2000 to 5500 rpm. This is where this small engine feels the MOST ALIVE. The next good thing is that the top end is not bad too, however, the redline is not too high. The problem is at the bottom end, where under 2000 rpm there is a sense of NOTHINGNESS. It's a combination of Turbo Lag as well as poor tuning. Skoda knows there is a void in the bottom end so they tried to correct it by giving it an aggressive crawl which makes it difficult to control in small gaps, traffic crawling or parking situations but overall doesn't seem to address the Nothingness in that 1000 - 1850 rpm region. This is most prominent in the 1st gear, however, it gets better and less noticeable in higher gears.

Gearbox

This 1L Engine in its Automatic form is paired with the AQ250 Torque Converter gearbox. Overall I am glad I picked the torque converter option as this car won't see much of the highways and will be mostly used in the city for short runs. However be it in the city or open roads the gearbox is quick enough for the power and suits the engine very well, leaving very few occasions/need to reach out for the paddle shifters. This Box doesn't get confused in selecting the gears and the gearing too (2nd gear onwards) is spot on to deliver the juice the engine has to offer.

Handling & Ride

In the Ride & Handling Balance, the equilibrium is towards the Ride. As you'd be aware that I own a Kia Seltos 1.4 GTX+ as well & the suspension tune on that compared to this Kia's suspension seems tuned more firmly towards extracting handling performance & the ride feels stiffer in the Kia. Whereas in this Skoda it's the other way round, the suspension does feel more tuned for the ride quality. In fact, clearly, the ride quality is better on my Skoda v/s my Kia even with the Skoda being under tyred.

The Steering in the Kushaq doesn't weigh up as much at high speeds as I'd want. It's important to note that the Skoda misses out on Driving modes which the Kia has & the steering of the Seltos in Sport Mode clearly inspires more confidence at higher speeds than the Skoda.

I am currently running Tyre Pressure @ 32 PSi (All 4).

Exteriors

The Exterior Looks for me were a Strong Selling point for the Kushaq which also contributed to the Buy Decision. The Front is very aggressive IMO a combination of being Rugged & Athletic. Overall the dimensions are not too wide & sort of ideal to fit in the Urban Indian cities.

The Side Profile interests me the most as the overall design is very clean & sticking to the European roots of this brand, very pleasing. The Highlight for me at the side are definitely the striking 17" ATLAS Alloy wheels, this was the major reason I picked the Style variant over the base model which is surely more Value.

But speaking about the rims, the tyres as these are Good Years Assurance with a decently healthy 205 but not healthy enough as in this segment 215's or the 235mm wide are the norm so any guesses why Skoda picked 205 / 55 well because the Octavia uses the same size hence that solves a lot of inventory & they get better prices because of more volume buying, Smart thinking by Skoda, but as an enthusiast, I would have preferred 215's at least.

Another quick negative is the brakes at the rear, it's a drum setup, well the braking system is adequate particularly with this small 1L engine up front, but having no discs at the rear is visually disturbing for any enthusiast.

Coming to the Rear, I love the fact that the taillights are placed a bit high giving the Kushaq a very upright stance, I also love the SKODA lettering on the tailgate, I wasn't really a fan of this approach when I 1st saw it on the Superb facelift, but it really works here in an SUV Bodystyle. The rear diffuser is again adding to the SUV-ness for the Kushaq & looks very robust. I miss seeing exhaust tailpipes but again it's always better to have it concealed rather than some fake exhaust cutouts in the bumper.

Skoda Kushaq Size Comparison for reference

Interiors

The dashboard design looks Solid. There is an interesting mix of materials used, there is Glossy Piano Black, there is a Matte Finished 3D Design Plastic there is Metal & there is also a dual-tone treatment to distinguish the upper and the lower part of the dashboard. There are some really good bits about the interior which I love, for example, the Steering which is an extremely well-finished piece of art whereas on the flip side which I hate are these AC Controls. Rear Camera Quality is Average, also miss the Front Parking Sensors.

Some great things about the front cabin & features:

• Handbrake feels Solid
• Paddle Shifters.
• Music System.

Some Unfortunate Misses:

• 360 Degree Camera Missing.
• Ambient Lighting Options.
• Electric Seats.

Rear Seats & Boot Space

There is enough space for the passengers at the rear. Seat Comfort is good too, though they are a tad firm. However, this added Rear Seat Space has compromised the Boot Space which is now similar in volume (385 L) to a segment below cars like the Sonet and not in line with its positioned competition i.e. the Seltos.

Continue reading BHPian karan561's Skoda Kushaq review for more insights & information.

The auto-folding function is enabled by a software setting and ironically, Skoda still has the option.

Thanks to the Team-BHP fan (he prefers to remain anonymous) who sent this information in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP share page!

I took delivery of a 2022 Skoda Kushaq Ambition TSI MT on 27 January. I read the thread on the feature deletion on Team-BHP and wanted to put these to rest with the picture of my car’s front door mirror adjuster.

The electric folding function has been completely removed. See the picture of the driver’s door pad where it has been removed (the knob needs to be moved 180 degrees from the base position for the folding function, which you can compare with the official review picture):

The auto-folding function is enabled by a software setting and ironically, Skoda still has the option in the settings screen:

I have also written to Zac about the Rs. 20,000 discount not being applicable to the Ambition variant, which really makes me feel short-changed. It’s an inferior treatment compared to higher variants.

My hunch is that the other variants saw a price hike and hence, the discount of Rs. 20,000 is being given after the feature deletion. The Ambition variant has not had a price hike yet and hence, the savings are being realized fully by Skoda.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Auto-folding ORVMs have been deleted from the Taigun as well. However, it's unclear if VW is also offering a similar discount.

Earlier this month, we had reported that the Skoda Kushaq was no longer offered with auto-folding ORVMs due to the ongoing chip shortage. It seems Skoda has received some flak for this move and is now offering a discount of Rs 20,000 on these cars.

According to a Facebook group, a Skoda dealership is offering the discount on MY2022 Kushaq models. After 4-6 months, the company is likely to provide auto-folding ORVMs as an accessory for Rs 20,000. The feature is also expected to be reintroduced on the Kushaq once chip supplies are sorted.

Besides the Kushaq, its sister car, the VW Taigun has also been affected by the chip shortage. VW has deleted auto-folding ORVMs from the line-up, however, it's unclear if a discount is available on the Taigun as well.

Thanks to BHPian Bibendum90949 for sharing this information with other enthusiasts!

Post the test drive, both my dad and I concluded that we prefer sedans and would rather opt for the Skoda Octavia.

BHPian sachin_cs recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I was out with my dad today and had a bit of time during the lunch hour, both being the petrolheads of our family, we decided to visit the Skoda Showroom. We drove the manual 1.0 TSI Style variant of Kushaq.

Following are the observations from an existing Skoda Rapid DSG owner with 47k km on the odometer:

Likes:

• Build quality is good, door thud is comparable to Rapid, maybe 90% of it
• Exterior fit and finish is good, even panel gaps
• Paint quality is good, looks lovely in carbon steel shade
• Rear seat space and under-thigh support makes up for a nice place to be in
• Ergonomics falls in place very well and for an existing vag owner it's easy to get comfortable in the first few seconds
• 1.0 TSI is seriously an impressive engine, the pull on offer is much better than those 1.5 NA engines
• NVH from 1.0 TSI is well controlled
• Brakes are better than Seltos despite being Disc-drum setup and also better than my Rapid
• Ride quality is comfortable
• For a tall crossover, the dynamics are commendable and turn-in is quite sharp.
• Body roll is very well controlled
• Practical cabin and can be a good highway cruiser
• The Achilles heel of Rapid is addressed- Headlights

Dislikes:

• Doesn't feels like a significant upgrade from Rapid
• Road noise is on the higher side when compared to Rapid, I could hear the road surface a lot more than the Rapid or maybe it is the Michelin effects as the TD vehicle wore Goodyear (Suspension was silent though)
• Plastic quality could have been better, at least for the top of the line Rs 20 lakh variant
• The headliner reminded me of my Maruti days, Rapid in comparison has a much better headliner
• Infotainment is much more advanced than the 340G plus but the screen is reflective type, Rapid has a matt dark screen
• The Interior scheme could have been better, feels too dull (Slavia's interior scheme should trickle down to Kushaq too)
• I missed physical buttons for AC, why does everything have to go the touch way in modern cars?

Again, it was a wonderful experience here at Skoda Raipur, sales manager Mr Praveen is really a nice chap and it's always interesting discussing cars with him, he owns Rapid too.

After the test drive of Kushaq, while returning, my and dad were discussing our experience and we both agreed that we are sedan persons (FYI as a daily driver my dad drives a Tata Sumo) and the only logical upgrade for us would be an Octavia in Black.

The only picture I managed to click today:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.