Skoda Auto India has pulled the covers off the refreshed Skoda Kushaq facelift 2026, giving its mid-size SUV a sharper look, a richer equipment list, and stronger value appeal. The updated model arrives as competition in the compact SUV segment tightens, with rivals such as the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara and others raising the stakes with feature packed launches.
We know the headlines: a new 8-speed automatic for the 1.0 TSI, segment-first rear massage seats, and a sharper design. These are genuine upgrades that improve the ownership experience. It has also retained strong safety credentials with a 5-star Global NCAP rating and standard six airbags across variants.
Despite the new additions, a number of features that are increasingly common in this price segment remain absent.
We analyzed the spec sheet against the segment leaders – Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and the new Tata Sierra – and found eight critical omissions that could force potential buyers to think twice.
Missing of Level 2 ADAS
The most controversial omission in Skoda Kushaq is Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). In 2024, many rivals now include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and auto emergency braking as part of ADAS packages.
Competitors like the Honda Elevate and MG Astor democratized safety tech years ago. Today, even the Tata Sierra and Curvv offer comprehensive ADAS suites including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and autonomous emergency braking.
For a brand that prides itself on 5 – star safety, Skoda’s decision to skip active safety tech is baffling. Highway driving in India is chaotic, and features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are genuine lifesavers, not just gimmicks. By omitting this, Skoda effectively hands a major advantage to Honda and MG.
360-Degree Camera
Indian cities are getting more crowded, and parking spaces are shrinking. A 360-degree surround-view camera is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity for preserving your bumper paint.
You can find 360-degree cameras on hatchbacks costing half as much as the Kushaq. Yet, even the top-spec Monte Carlo variant of the 2026 Kushaq relies on a simple reverse camera and sensors. Rivals like the Maruti Grand Vitara and the new Tata Sierra offer high-resolution surround feeds that make parking foolproof.
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Dual Zone Climate
Step inside the Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos, and you find dual-zone automatic climate control. This allows the driver and passenger to set different temperatures a blessing when one person runs hot and the other cold.
The 2026 Kushaq sticks with a single zone system. While the AC unit itself is powerful (Skoda upgraded the compressor in 2022), the lack of individual zoning feels dated in a premium cabin.
It is a small detail, but premium cars are defined by this.
Tailgate Functionality
Convenience is king in the SUV segment. The Tata Sierra and Curvv have introduced powered tailgates with gesture control to the mass market. If your hands are full of grocery bags, you simply wave a foot under the bumper, and the boot opens.
The Kushaq requires you to unlock and lift the tailgate manually. When you pay over Rs 20 lakh on road, the physical act of heaving a tailgate shut feels incongruous with the price tag.
Electronic parking brake
Electronic Parking Brakes (EPB) with Auto-Hold are fantastic for city driving. When you stop at a red light, the car holds itself you don’t need to keep your foot on the brake or yank a lever. The traffic turns green, you press the accelerator, and the brakes release. Seamless.
The 2026 Kushaq retains the mechanical handbrake lever. The MG Astor and Maruti Grand Vitara (hybrid variants) have offered this for years. The mechanical lever also eats up valuable space in the center console that could have been used for extra storage or cup holders.
Premium audio system
Skoda’s unbranded 6 speaker sound system with a subwoofer is good. It offers punchy bass and clear vocals. But good is the enemy of great.
Audiophiles looking at the Kia Seltos get a Bose system. Those eyeing the Tata Sierra get a 12-speaker JBL setup with a soundbar and Dolby Atmos.
These branded systems offer a depth of sound and a perceived value that a generic setup cannot match. For the younger demographic that prioritizes in car entertainment, the lack of a badge on the speaker grille matters.
Rear Window Sunshades
India is a hot country. Rear window sunshades are one of the most practical features you can have. They cut down glare, reduce cabin temperature, and offer privacy.
The Hyundai Creta and Grand Vitara offer factory – fitted sunblinds. The Kushaq does not. You will have to resort to aftermarket magnetic shades or stick on meshes, which never look as neat and often impede window operation.
Rear Seat Ventilation
This is a nuanced point. No car in this segment currently offers ventilated rear seats. However, Skoda introduced rear massage seats-a segment first.
If they were re-engineering the rear bench anyway, adding ventilation would have been the ultimate power move. India’s heat makes ventilation far more useful than massage. While the front passengers enjoy cooled seats, the rear occupants often the family elders or children-have to rely on the AC vents alone.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Skoda Kushaq Facelift remains a brilliant machine to drive. The new 8-speed gearbox is a gem, and the build quality feels great. But cars are bought in a marketplace teeming with feature rich alternatives.
These eight omissions ranging from critical safety tech like ADAS to daily conveniences like the 360-camera and electronic parking brake – paint a picture of a brand that is hesitant to fully embrace the tech first demands of the modern Indian buyer. For the driving enthusiast, the Kushaq is still the one to buy. But for the pragmatic buyer weighing feature value against performance, the proposition is no longer straightforward.
