Skoda India has teased the upcoming Kushaq facelift with a nostalgic twist, using the iconic Bollywood film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” as its marketing theme. The tagline “Get ready to fall in love” hints at significant design and feature upgrades aimed at reviving the mid-size SUV’s market presence against fierce competition from the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and newly launched Tata Sierra.
What’s New: Design Updates
The latest teaser reveals a dramatic styling transformation with connected LED lighting at both front and rear. Unlike continuous light bars seen on competitors, the Kushaq features a multi-segment design creating a distinctive crystalline effect. The front grille now closely resembles the smaller Kylaq, featuring Skoda’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language with vertical chrome slats and sharper character lines.
Read this:Toyota Hiace 2026 Debuts as a Tougher, Smarter Global Work Van
The rear receives a complete makeover with a full-width LED tail lamp setup incorporating an illuminated Skoda logo a premium touch borrowed from parent company Volkswagen’s European lineup. This connected lighting theme positions the Kushaq as more upmarket compared to its current iteration.
Interior & Feature Upgrades
Addressing customer complaints about the current model, the facelift brings back physical button controls for climate and audio functions, replacing frustrating capacitive touch panels. The infotainment system gets upgraded from 10 inches to an expected 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Key additions include:
- Level 2 ADAS with adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking
- 360-degree camera system with 3D view for easier parking
- Ventilated front seats for Indian climate conditions
- Digital instrument cluster with enhanced graphics and customization
- Premium audio system and multi-color ambient lighting
Safety receives a major boost with six airbags standard across all variants, electronic stability control, and advanced driver assistance features that finally bring the Kushaq up to par with segment leaders.
Engine Options Remain Unchanged
Skoda will carry over the proven 1.0L TSI (115 PS, 178 Nm) and 1.5L TSI (150 PS, 250 Nm) turbo-petrol engines with manual and automatic transmission options. The larger 1.5L engine retains Active Cylinder Technology that deactivates two cylinders under light loads for improved fuel efficiency.
No diesel or hybrid variants are planned, as Skoda focuses on its electric vehicle strategy for future launches. The company discontinued diesel engines due to high BS6 compliance costs and declining market demand.
Expected Pricing & Launch Timeline
The Kushaq facelift is expected to launch in March-April 2026 with pricing ranging from ₹12 lakh to ₹23 lakh (ex-showroom). This represents a ₹50,000-1,00,000 increase over the current model, justified by added safety tech and premium features.
Pre-bookings will likely open in February 2026, with early customers receiving special DDLJ-themed merchandise and priority delivery.
Competition Challenge: The DDLJ Strategy
Skoda faces an uphill battle in India’s crowded mid-size SUV segment. The Hyundai Creta leads with 12,000-14,000 monthly sales, while the new Tata Sierra garnered 70,000 bookings on day one. Even Skoda’s own Kylaq has cannibalized Kushaq sales by offering similar engines at ₹3-4 lakh less.
The DDLJ marketing theme represents an emotional differentiation strategy. By leveraging nostalgia and romance associated with Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic film, Skoda aims to connect with millennial and Gen X buyers (35-50 years old) who form the primary SUV purchasing demographic. Instead of competing purely on specifications, the campaign creates an aspirational lifestyle positioning.
This cultural resonance could work in Skoda’s favor, especially in North and West India where DDLJ remains deeply embedded in popular culture. The challenge lies in translating this emotional appeal into actual showroom footfalls and sales conversions.
Expert Verdict
The Kushaq facelift addresses genuine customer pain points with physical controls, ADAS, safety upgrades, and modern design. However, success depends on competitive pricing (not more than ₹1 lakh premium over Creta), strong dealership experiences that bring the DDLJ theme to life, and overcoming the “expensive maintenance” perception surrounding European brands.
Realistic sales projections suggest 4,000-4,500 units monthly—a significant improvement over current 2,000-2,500 figures but still far from Creta’s dominance. The emotional DDLJ campaign differentiates Kushaq in a spec-sheet war, but ultimately, the product must deliver value to sustain long-term success.
For buyers seeking European build quality, engaging driving dynamics, and advanced safety features wrapped in nostalgic marketing, the Kushaq facelift presents a compelling alternative to mainstream Korean and Japanese rivals.
Quick Specs:
- Launch: March-April 2026
- Price: ₹12-23 lakh
- Engines: 1.0L & 1.5L TSI petrol
- Key Features: ADAS, 360-camera, connected LED lights, ventilated seats
- Rivals: Creta, Seltos, Sierra, Grand Vitara
