It's known that Skoda is readying a compact SUV for India, and we can now confirm that the SUV will debut by January 2025 and go on sale by March 2025. The yet-unnamed Skoda compact SUV will be based on a shortened iteration of the MQB A0 IN platform that underpins the Kushaq, Slavia, Virtus and the Taigun. We tell you what bits the compact SUV will share with its siblings and what will be unique.
- Skoda compact SUV to borrow design from newer models like the Epiq
- Interior to feature recycled materials, cooled seats, large touchscreen
- 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine expected under the bonnet
Skoda compact SUV: what’s new?
The compact SUV's styling will have elements from newer Skoda models like the Epiq concept, among others. Spy shots have given us a hint of the overall silhouette of the compact SUV, which will have a lot in common with the Kushaq and the Slavia, especially on the inside. Parts like the steering wheel, gear knob, instrument cluster and HVAC controls will be shared.
The compact SUV will also most likely have the same front doors as the Kushaq, but the rear doors will be much shorter as it will be around 230mm shorter than the Kushaq. The rear overhang will also be much tighter than on the Kushaq to ensure that the compact SUV ducks under the crucial four-metre length barrier.
Skoda compact SUV features
We are told that Skoda will start using recycled material for some parts of the interior, which will be a first in India by a mainstream carmaker. The compact SUV from Skoda will also be feature laden and get goodies like alloy wheels, LED lighting, auto climate control, multiple touchscreen infotainment options and even cooled seats on higher variants. Under the hood, the 1.0-litre TSI petrol will be the sole engine on offer, and it'll come mated to either a manual or a torque converter automatic gearbox.
The compact SUV, once launched, will compete with the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Brezza, Renault Kiger and the Nissan Magnite. Skoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer has said that the “price position versus competition is very ambitious” fopr the compact SUV and that the brand has targets to achieve 75 percent localisation.
Also see:
Skoda Elroq electric SUV under consideration for India
Next-gen Skoda Kodiaq launch by mid-2025
Skoda looking at mild hybrids for India