Skoda Kushaq review, road test

Does this Creta-rival have what it takes to grab a sizeable share of the midsize SUV pie? We find out.

Published on Oct 03, 2021 09:00:00 AM

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The 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI manual version has tall gear ratios to aid fuel efficiency. Its broad spread of torque makes it easy-going while pottering around town, but you will need to work the gears and spin this engine to keep up with faster moving traffic. Hence, despite having six gears at its disposal, highway fuel efficiency is merely 14.3kpl, 2.5kpl better than its 11.8kpl city figure. The torque converter automatic is programmed to upshift early in the city, and you’ll often find yourself prodding the accelerator to get a move on. The constant on and off boost driving, along with heavy throttle inputs, result in a city fuel efficiency of 8.5kpl, and 12.4kpl on the highway.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI engine is equipped with active cylinder deactivation technology, which works extremely well in the background. It switches off two out of the four cylinders when the engine is under light load, in order to reduce fuel consumption. So seamless it is in its operation that unless you look at the ‘2-cylinder mode’ notification on the MID, you won’t even be aware of its existence. What’s impressive is that the moment you prod the throttle a bit harder, it’ll fire up all the four cylinders to provide the requisite energy to get moving. But does this technology really reduce fuel consumption?

The 1.5 TSI with this clever active cylinder deactivation technology is actually more fuel efficient than its three-cylinder counterpart. At most times, this engine is running on just two out of its four cylinders when driven sedately, and with crisp responses on offer, you’ll seldom need to accelerate aggressively to get going. Fuel efficiency figures for the manual, as a result, are impressive, which stand at 11.5kpl and 16.5kpl in the city and highway, respectively. Unlike the torque converter, the dual-clutch automatic doesn’t shift to higher ratios as quickly. However, you’ll often catch the automatic slipping the clutch when you get off and on the throttle in the city, so fuel efficiency takes a beating and it manages only 8.9kpl. Having seven ratios to play with, the DSG is an easy sipper on the highway and it returns a rather promising 15.4kpl.