Doesn’t take a genius to predict the question that will soon be flashing on everybody’s radar. Kushaq or Taigun? We now know how the two are styled and while the Skoda looks young, funky and very cool, the VW too is handsome with their traditional maturity overlaid with considerable flair. On the inside, the two are identical save for proper needles on the Kushaq compared to a Virtual Cockpit on the Taigun. The only place I see VW having an edge is that the 1.5 TSI will be badged GT and sport subtle styling tweaks over the 1.0 whereas, from the outside, nobody will know if you’ve splurged on the 1.5 Kushaq. And VW have bona fide motorsport credentials that can be milked to draw in us enthusiasts.
Read our detailed preview of the upcoming Skoda Kushaq in the April issue of evo India magazine
Pricing? At the Auto Expo, clear hints were dropped of straddling the space between the Venue and Creta, and I do hope all our gushing reports haven’t given Skoda-VW’s accountants the ammo to inch closer to the Creta. As for the two cousins, there’s unlikely to be any real price gap between the two, spec-to-spec, but one thing is clear that Skoda will be first off the block in June with VW to follow in a month or two. If the early bird catches the worm, Skoda are in pole position.
VW Taigun and all four SUVs of Volkswagen's SUVW strategy detailed in April issue of evo India magazine
Now the big question. Should you buy either of the two? I’ve driven the pre-production Kushaq and I can confirm that it is the most fun to drive car in this segment. The ride is excellent, the handling is enthusiastic and Skoda- VW Group boss Gurpratap Boparai went on record saying the torsional stiffness of the platform is 30 per cent more than the already very-stiff PQ25 of the Polo, Vento and Rapid. That means softer dampers can be used without compromising on body control. And that also means the crash test ratings shouldn’t be off the 5 stars other MQB-A0 vehicles have scored. Being mechanically identical, all this will hold true for the Taigun as well.
Watch the Skoda Kushaq walk around video here
Drawbacks? Width — three abreast at the back is a squeeze. No diesels. Their network, even the two combined, won’t match that of the segment leaders. And well, that’s it. Both the brands have worked enormously hard on bringing down the total cost of ownership to make sure past complaints about expensive service and parts costs remain exactly that — past complaints.
Watch the VW Taigun walk around video here
Ultimately everybody will — and should! — have a personal opinion on styling. And my only advice will be to buy the one that’s easiest on your eyes. Either way, you will have bought one of the most exciting cars of 2021.
The blog originally appeared in the editorial of the April issue issue of evo India magazine. Click here to buy or subscribe to evo India