With electric SUVs outselling the Skoda Kushaq by a wide margin in 2025, the newly launched 2026 facelift arrives at a critical juncture — raising questions about whether a future Skoda EV is now essential for survival in this price band.
Skoda Auto India’s newly launched Kushaq facelift in 2026 could prove to be a decisive moment for the brand, as fresh sales data from 2025 highlights how far the compact SUV has fallen behind electric vehicle rivals in the same price bracket. While the Kushaq remains an important model for Skoda, its 12,600 units sold in 2025 pale in comparison to the volumes achieved by similarly priced EVs, signalling a clear shift in buyer preference.
Electric SUVs such as the MG Windsor (42,157 units) and Tata Nexon EV (24,557 units) significantly outperformed the Kushaq last year, underlining the growing appeal of EVs among Indian buyers who are willing to spend ₹12–18 lakh.
Despite offering multiple engine and transmission combinations, the Kushaq’s sales performance remained modest. The 1.0-litre petrol engine dominated demand, accounting for 9,414 units, while the more powerful 1.5-litre variant remained a niche choice. Automatic transmissions collectively outsold manuals, reflecting broader market trends, but even this shift was not enough to lift overall volumes.
In contrast, EV rivals benefited from:
The result was a stark volume gap — in some cases, EVs selling more than three times as many units as the Kushaq.
The Kushaq facelift brings refreshed styling, feature updates and incremental improvements, but the challenge Skoda faces is structural rather than cosmetic. The compact SUV segment is no longer just about petrol efficiency and ride quality — it is increasingly shaped by electrification, total cost of ownership, and future readiness.
While the facelift may help stabilise interest among loyalists, it is unlikely to close the widening gap with EV competitors on its own.
The 2025 data strengthens the case for a Skoda electric SUV positioned alongside the Kushaq, rather than above it. With EVs already outperforming ICE models in this price band, a locally assembled or competitively priced Skoda EV could:
Protect Skoda’s relevance in the compact SUV segment
Attract first-time EV buyers seeking European build and dynamics
Counter Tata and MG’s growing dominance
Without an EV alternative, Skoda risks being sidelined as buyer preferences continue to evolve.
The Kushaq facelift of 2026 is a necessary step — but not a sufficient one. The sales performance of 2025 makes it clear that EVs are no longer fringe players in this segment. For Skoda, the facelift may buy time, but a well-priced Skoda EV could ultimately decide whether the brand grows or merely survives in India’s rapidly electrifying market.
Suhail Gulati
Suhail Gulati is the founder of ElecTree and an economist by training. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics and has worked in credit, retail banking, and financial stress testing at Barclays and American Express. He founded ElecTree in 2023 — building it into India's dedicated platform for 4-wheeler EV data, sales analysis, and original reporting. His work sits at the intersection of economic analysis and electric mobility — bringing a banker's rigour to a sector that deserves it.