Skoda Kushaq Vs Volkswagen Taigun Base Trims: What Should You Buy
Skoda launched the updated Kushaq SUV in the market recently, and soon after that, we also saw Volkswagen launching the updated Taigun in the market. When Skoda launched the Kushaq facelift, it was discussed a lot on the internet. Usually, we see videos and stories about the top-end variants of these SUVs and often skip the base variants. Here, we have a video where we get to see the base variant of the newly launched Taigun facelift and also the Skoda Kushaq. This would give you a fair idea about what the entry-level variants of both these SUVs offer and which one you should go for.
Volkswagen Taigun
We will start with the Taigun facelift. The video shows the base Comfortline variant of the Taigun facelift. This is launched at Rs 11 lakh, ex-showroom. The SUV comes with LED headlamps, dual-function LED DRLs, a revised front grille, and bumper. We see chrome inserts on the bumper; however, the connecting LED bar and the illuminated logo are missing in this variant.
It also misses out on front parking sensors. Coming to the side profile, the SUV stays the same. It gets a flip key with a remote central locking function. The SUV gets steel rims with silver wheel caps. The ORVMs are electrically adjustable and come with integrated LED turn indicators. There is black cladding around the wheel arches, and the lower window line doesn’t get chrome inserts. There are roof rails, and it gets a regular antenna instead of a shark fin unit.
As you move to the rear, the Taigun facelift’s base variant offers LED tail lamps with a connecting LED bar. Just like the front, the Volkswagen logo is not illuminated here either. The SUV gets rear parking sensors and misses out on a rear parking camera. However, it gets a rear windshield wiper and defogger.
Moving in, the cabin of the Taigun facelift gets a grey and black dual-tone theme. There are hard plastics in places, and it comes with power windows for all doors. There is a multifunction steering wheel with controls for the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and also the instrument cluster. It gets a twin-pod analog instrument cluster with a monochrome MID. The SUV also gets automatic climate control, a 4-speaker and 2-tweeter system, fabric seats, adjustable headrests for all passengers, rear AC vents, a layered dashboard, and so on.
In terms of safety features, the Taigun gets 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, a tyre deflation warning, rear fog lamps, and more.
The Comfortline variant of the Taigun is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that generates 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque. It is available with a 6-speed manual transmission only.
Skoda launched the Kushaq facelift recently, and the base variant of the SUV was actually discussed a lot in the news because of the way the brand packaged it. The price for the base starts at Rs 10.69 lakh, ex-showroom, which is actually cheaper than the Taigun. In fact, you are getting more features in the Kushaq’s base variant than the Taigun.
The base variant of the Kushaq comes with all the features that are mentioned for the Taigun base variant above. Apart from these, Skoda is also offering features like a single-pane sunroof, automatic LED headlights, front LED fog lamps with a cornering function, 16-inch alloy wheels, a roof-mounted spoiler, a boot lamp, front door scuff plates with ‘Kushaq’ inscription, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, brake disc wiping, and so on.
The Skoda Kushaq is also available with the same 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine as the Taigun, but the major difference here is that Skoda is offering customers an option of an automatic transmission, which is a brand-new 8-speed unit. The price for the automatic variant is Rs 12.69 lakh, ex-showroom. If you want to buy the Taigun with the same automatic transmission, you will have to go for the Highline variant and spend Rs 13.8 lakh, ex-showroom.
On paper, both these SUVs are based on the same platform and offer the same engine and transmission options. However, if you look at the pricing, the Skoda Kushaq’s base variant looks like a better value-for-money option. In fact, even if you go for the higher variants, Skoda is offering more features, including the rear seat massager function, and that too at a lower price than Volkswagen.