The Skoda Kushaq is getting a makeover for 2026, and it’s bringing some fun surprises. Think of it as the same popular SUV with a fresh haircut. Skoda has teased the facelift in January 2026, and the launch is set for March 2026. So if you’re eyeing a Kushaq or just curious, buckle up. We’ll take you through what’s new, in a friendly, chatty way (like explaining to a friend over coffee).
New Design Highlights
On the outside, the Kushaq facelift is not just a facelift—it’s wearing a new suit. Skoda has added slim LED headlights with updated daytime-running lights (DRLs) and a shiny new grille strip with Skoda’s badge lighting up (like on the bigger Kodiaq). The bumpers are tweaked too. Picture the old Kushaq shape, but with a bolder face.
They even gave it new wheels and three funky colors to choose from: Cherry Red, Shimla Green, and Steel Grey. And yes, there’s a panoramic sunroof now (which is a first for Kushaq). Imagine hitting the highway with sunlight flooding in. The roofglass spans most of the top, and it even has a fancy opaque shade you can slide over to block sun if needed.
One of the spy shots shows the new taillights with connected LED strips and the “Skoda” name lit up between them. It looks modern and classy. Even the boot is larger now – an extra 106 liters (so about 491 L total), which means more space for luggage on your road trips.
In short, it looks sleeker and more upmarket than the old model. Think of it like upgrading from sneakers to dress shoes. The basic body (the Kushaq’s profile) didn’t change much – it’s the trim details that make it pop now.
Fresh Cabin: Interior Upgrades
Inside the cabin, Skoda did not hold back. If you thought the old Kushaq was roomy, wait till you see this. The dashboard design is similar, but everything feels nicer. The Monte Carlo edition (the sporty trim) gets a cool black-and-red theme with embossed “MONTE CARLO” on the headrests. Other trims have new color schemes too.
The big news is tech: dials turned digital. The old analog gauges are replaced by a 10.25-inch digital driver display. This screen can show different views and looks very crisp. Right next to it is a new floating 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. It’s quick and easy to use – no frustrating lag or unresponsive taps. You even get Google Assistant built-in, so you can say “Hey Google” to change music or set the navigation.
Skoda also added a lot of comfort gadgets. Here’s a fun one: the rear seats now have a massage function. Yes, your backseat passengers can kick back and relax with a little massage on a road trip – that’s a first for this class of car. The front seats are 6-way electrically adjustable and ventilated (they cool your back on a hot day). Even though it’s the base Classic+ model we’re talking about, it still comes with a single-pane sunroof, as mentioned above.
You’ll find other neat features too: steering-mounted controls, LED interior lights to set the mood, and even climate control with cruise control on the dash. The Kushaq keeps its 6-speed manual and adds a new 8-speed automatic on the 1.0L engine. We’ll get into that next.
Tech & Safety Features
As you’d expect from Skoda, safety and convenience got a big bump. Six airbags are now standard across all trims (front, side, and curtain airbags), so everyone’s protected. It still has ABS, ESC, ISOFIX child mounts, and more. They even added rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming rearview mirror as standard – nice touches that feel luxury-level.
For parking and visibility, the facelift Kushaq can come with front and rear parking sensors, and higher trims have a 360-degree camera. There’s also a rain-sensing wiper and rear defogger/wiper to see clearly in bad weather.
On the entertainment side, it now has a 6-speaker sound system and wireless charging for your phone. The signature LED turn indicators that blink like a wave are still there (one of Skoda’s cool quirks), plus new ambient lighting inside. Oh, and the MID (multi-info display) is crisp.
Rumor has it that Level-2 ADAS (advanced driver-assist) may come soon, since many rivals offer it. Skoda might surprise us with some lane-keep or automatic emergency braking features in the future, though for now the facelift focuses on the gadgets above.
Engine & Performance
Under the hood, things stay mostly familiar but better. The Kushaq still offers two turbo-petrol engines: a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder TSI and a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder TSI. Both are peppy and refined.
The big change: the 1.0-liter TSI can now get an 8-speed automatic gearbox, replacing the old 6-speed torque-converter auto. This new 8-speed AT (first in its segment) shifts smoothly and improves fuel mileage. Skoda claims around 18.09 kmpl with this gearbox. That’s pretty darn efficient for city and highway combined.
The 1.5 TSI (115 hp, 250 Nm) keeps the choice of a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic, just like before. One nifty upgrade: disc brakes on all four wheels for the 1.5-litre versions. That means better stopping power than the old model (which had drums at the rear for the smaller engine).
Even with the extra gadgets, Skoda has not made it thirstier. By replacing the AT with an 8-speed unit, the mileage stays strong. And you still get the zippy Skoda ride and handling. One early test reported that the Kushaq still feels agile and solid on the road (no lost of its driving charm).
New Trim & Pricing
Skoda surprised everyone by adding a new base trim called Classic+ (Auto). This means even the cheapest facelift model has goodies like a sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels, projector headlights, and LED taillights – things you normally pay more for. Inside, the Classic+ gets the same touchscreen, cruise control, and all the safety gear, too.
So, you might be thinking “Cool, but how much?” Skoda hasn’t officially announced final prices yet, but we have clues. The pre-facelift Kushaq ranged from about ₹10.7 lakh to ₹18.5 lakh (ex-showroom). With the facelift’s extra gear, expect a little bump. One report says the Classic+ Automatic could start around ₹11.7 lakh (Nagpur ex-showroom). Top trims (Signature or Monte Carlo) might go up to ₹19-20 lakh. Overall, it should still sit below its big rivals.
For context, that’s cheaper than a base Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos of similar spec. Skoda is clearly aiming to give more value: sunroofs and alloys on a base model that undercuts the Koreans, says one source. Pre-bookings opened recently, and deliveries will likely start in late March. If you’ve been eyeing this SUV, now might be a smart time to book it.
Personal Takeaway
This facelift almost feels like a remix of your favorite song – familiar tune but with a new beat. For Skoda fans, it’s a treat. Even simple things like enjoying sunshine through the panoramic roof or fiddling with the big digital screen add to the fun. And if you’re buying a car on a budget but hate feeling like it’s cheap, the Classic+ trim means no compromises: you get looks and tech that make you go “Wow!”
One pal joked the Kushaq “went to the gym” – it’s leaner but more loaded. And trust me, it still runs like a clock (in a good way). If you took a pre-facelift Kushaq for a spin, this one will feel like it had a double-shot of espresso.
So, if you are shopping SUVs this year, keep the Kushaq facelift on your list. It’s like your reliable friend who got a shiny new jacket – same great personality, even nicer on the eyes. When it hits roads this March, I bet Skoda dealers will be having a blast showing it off. Your family might just insist on a photo op under that sunroof!
Also Read: Skoda Kushaq Facelift 2026: Price, Features and Real Talk
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FAQ
Q: When will the Skoda Kushaq facelift launch and what’s the price?
A: The new Kushaq facelift was unveiled in early 2026 and is slated for an India launch in March 2026. Final prices aren’t out yet, but expect it to start around ₹11–12 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base model and go up to roughly ₹19–20 lakh for top trims.
Q: What are the major changes in the 2026 Kushaq facelift?
A: Skoda has given the Kushaq a fresh look and a tech upgrade. It gets new LED headlights, a lighted grille bar with the Skoda name, revised bumpers and alloys, plus a panoramic sunroof. Inside, there’s a new 10.25″ digital cluster and a 10.1″ touchscreen. New features include rear-seat massage (first in class) and ventilated seats.
Q: Which engines and transmissions are available?
A: The facelift keeps the same 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. The big update is an 8-speed automatic option on the 1.0-litre (replacing the old 6-speed auto). You can still get the 1.0L with a 6-speed manual, and the 1.5L with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG. The 8-speed auto also improves fuel economy (claimed about 18.09 kmpl).
Q: What safety and comfort features does the facelift offer?
A: Safety gear is beefed up: 6 airbags are standard on all versions, along with ABS, ESC, and more. Comfort features include cruise control, automatic AC, and the new panoramic sunroof. High-end trims add ventilated front seats and even adaptive cruise. Skoda is also talking about possibly adding driver-assist systems in the future.
Q: Is there a new trim in the facelift?
A: Yes, Skoda introduced a new entry-level trim called Classic+ (available with the automatic). Surprisingly, even this base trim gets sunroof, alloys, projector LED lamps and LED tail lamps. So even the cheapest facelift Kushaq feels well-equipped. This trims sits below the Signature and Monte Carlo (sporty) versions in the lineup.
Q: How does the facelift compare to rivals?
A: The updated Kushaq is now more feature-packed than ever, and Skoda has tried to undercut rivals on price. It competes with compact SUVs like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, and Tata Sierra. With a 5-star crash safety rating and unique bits like rear-seat massage, it stands out. For many buyers, it could be a smarter buy than a base Creta or Seltos right now.
