The compact SUV segment in India is experiencing an all-time high in demand, and Skoda is gearing up to make a strong comeback. With a sharp focus on affordability without compromising on essential features, the brand is reportedly working on launching a new, cost-effective variant of its popular Kushaq SUV. This strategic move is expected to intensify the competition against segment leaders like Tata Nexon and Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
A New Trim to Fill the Pricing Gap
The new Kushaq variant will be slotted between the existing Classic and Signature trims, which currently have a price gap of approximately ₹1.60 lakh (ex-showroom). This creates an ideal window for a new mid-level variant that offers essential features without stepping into premium territory.
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While Skoda hasn’t officially announced the exact launch date, industry insiders suggest the new variant could hit the Indian market by the end of 2025. The addition of this variant is part of Skoda’s broader plan to attract budget-conscious buyers who desire a balance of performance, safety, and pricing.
Current Kushaq Variant Line-Up and Pricing
Skoda’s current Kushaq line-up includes several trims such as:
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Classic
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Classic Gold Olive
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Signature
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Signature Dual Tone
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Signature Plus
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Signature Plus Lava Blue
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Prestige
The price range starts at ₹8.25 lakh and goes up to ₹13.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The upcoming variant is expected to be priced competitively in the ₹9.5 to ₹10 lakh range, making it a solid value offering in the compact SUV space.
What Features Can Buyers Expect?
Despite its affordability, the upcoming Kushaq variant is not expected to skimp on core features. Likely inclusions are:
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Six airbags
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ABS with EBD
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Traction control system
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LED headlamps with DRLs
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ISOFIX child seat mounts
These features will make the car not just city-friendly but also safe for family road trips.
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Premium Touches at an Accessible Price
To boost its value proposition further, the new variant may inherit select features from higher trims, including:
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Cruise control for relaxed highway drives
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Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
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7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
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Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
These touches can help attract tech-savvy urban buyers without inflating the cost significantly.
Why This Move Matters
The compact SUV segment is one of the most fiercely contested in India. With the Tata Nexon and Maruti Brezza dominating sales, Skoda’s move appears to be a calculated strategy to chip away at their market share by offering an attractive middle-ground alternative.
If priced and packaged right, the new Kushaq variant can make Skoda a more serious contender in the Indian SUV space. By combining premium safety and infotainment features with an affordable price tag, Skoda is aligning itself perfectly with the evolving preferences of Indian consumers in 2025.
