Everyone needs an SUV within budget that offers amazing power and packs luxury-car-like features. If someone had asked for it a few years ago, everyone around would have laughed, but not anymore. Many carmakers are now loading their cars with tech once reserved for luxury, making budget cars well-suited options. In this article, we look at an SUV that offers Mercedes-like features at a very promising price.
Feature-Loaded SUVs In India
Features often drive sales; to support this demand, car makers are now loading their models with premium features. One such SUV from a Czech manufacturer is the Skoda Kushaq. Earlier this year, the Skoda Kushaq got a facelift, and with it came an impressive feature pack. Two notable additions were a panoramic sunroof and rear-seat massage. While panoramic sunroofs have become common nowadays, massage seats were something else.
The rear-massage seats option was once reserved for luxury cars. However, its inclusion in an affordable mass-market SUV was typically a surprise. Skoda’s sibling brand, Volkswagen, also recently updated the Kushaq’s sister, the Taigun. But VW refrained from adding the rear-massage seat option to its mid-size SUV, making the Kushaq the only SUV in the segment to offer that feature. The Kushaq offers rear-seat massage on the top-of-the-line Prestige and Monte Carlo trims, priced between Rs 19.99 lakh and Rs 22.67 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).
What Else?
Along with a list of features, the Kushaq comes with two engine options: a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. Enthusiasts wanting more performance can go with the 1.5-litre turbo mill, while the 1.0-litre engine is retained to keep starting prices accessible. The 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine is paired with an 8-speed TC and a 6-speed manual gearbox option, while the 1.5-litre turbo petrol is mated to a sole 7-speed DCT.
On the feature front, the Skoda Kushaq offers a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, dual-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, front parking sensors, automatic AC, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, and wireless charging.
The Skoda Kushaq is priced between Rs 12.80 lakh and Rs 22.67 lakh (on-road, Mumbai).