The upcoming Skoda compact SUV has been spotted testing yet again. The mini Kushaq will enter the highly competitive compact SUV segment in our market. This has to be the most crowded category. The rivals include Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra XUV3XO, Tata Nexon, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. To compete against these products, the Czech carmaker needs to put its best foot forward. Let us take a look at the details of what to expect from the compact SUV.
Upcoming Skoda Compact SUV
These spy images have been shared by piloton_wheels on Instagram. They reveal some pretty cool details about the compact SUV. For instance, even though the body is under heavy camouflage, the familiar front fascia with the butterfly grille is evident. Additionally, we see the split-LED headlamp cluster with LED DRLs and a sporty bumper. In all fairness, it will bear a lot of design elements from its elder sibling, the Kushaq. Even the rear profile reminds us of the Kushaq with LED taillamps on the sides. Hence, I am intrigued to see how Skoda ends up giving it individuality.
On the inside, we are not sure about the details as the interior images are not available. Still, we can expect it to carry certain elements from the Kushaq. For instance, we could see a large touchscreen infotainment display, an informative driver’s instrument cluster, steering-mounted controls, automatic air conditioning, smartphone connectivity, sunroof and more. Other amenities could include ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and probably ADAS functions for active safety. The compact SUV segment has also started getting products with Level 2 ADAS now.
Specs
I have no reason to believe that the Skoda compact SUV would have any other powertrain than the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol mill which also powers the Kushaq and Slavia. This engine develops a cool 115 hp and 178 Nm of peak power and torque. There are options of choosing from either a manual or an automatic transmission with this mill. I am interested in seeing whether we get to see the larger 1.5-litre turbo petrol mill or not. That makes 150 hp and 250 Nm of peak power and torque in Kushaq and Slavia. This engine pairs with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic. More details will emerge closer to the launch.
| Specs (exp.) | Skoda Compact SUV |
| Engine | 1.0-litre TSI Petrol |
| Power | 115 hp |
| Torque | 178 Nm |
| Transmission | 6MT / AT |
Our View
Skoda is trying to expand its footprint in the Indian automobile market. India is already its biggest market outside Europe. With an even more affordable model in the lineup, I feel it is giving itself the best chance to grab more market share. However, it must understand the mindset and requirements of the customers in this space. I feel price tag and features list will be the two most critical reasons based on which the customers will make their decision. Let us see how well the Czech car marque equips it.
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