Skoda compact SUV vs rivals: size, specs, expected price

Skoda’s upcoming compact SUV will be entering a rather crowded segment with as many as six direct rivals from five different manufacturers. It will surely have its work cut out as the margins in this segment are low and competition is stiff. However, it will share the localised MQB A0-IN platform with the Kushaq, which means that it can not only be priced competitively leveraging economies of scale but it will also carry over some of its inherent strengths such as safety, high-quality chassis construction and greater mechanical sophistication.

The launch is still about a year away, but we take a close look at how it could stack up against its rivals in terms of size, powertrain specifications and expected price.

Skoda compact SUV dimensions vs rivals

Skoda has, of course, not yet revealed dimensions of the upcoming compact SUV, but what we do know is that its overall length will have to slip under 4 metres to qualify for the sub-4-metre tax benefit. We also know that its wheelbase will measure 2,566mm – 85mm shorter than the Kushaq’s 2,651mm.

This is slightly larger than most other compact SUVs and only lesser than the XUV300, which too happens to be a chopped version of what was a 4-metre-plus SUV. This could likely translate into slightly better legroom on the inside than the competition.

In terms of width, the Kushaq measures 1760mm, so the compact SUV will also likely not exceed that width. That also means it will be the narrowest car in its class, and seating three abreast could still be a squeeze just as it is in the Kushaq. The compact SUV will also have smaller wheels than the Kushaq, which currently gets 16-inch and 17-inch alloys.

Computer generated rendering of what the Skoda compact SUV could look like.

Skoda compact SUV powertrain, specs vs rivals

Skoda has confirmed that the compact SUV will be powered by the brand’s award-winning 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 110hp and 178Nm of torque. The engine is responsive, relatively refined and delivers strong acceleration and good fuel economy, which is only likely to improve when powering a lighter SUV. The 6-speed manual and the 6-speed torque converter automatic gearboxes will also be carried over.

This will be the only engine option on Skoda’s compact SUV while most of its competition gets at least two. However, it finds itself right in the middle of the pack in terms of power and torque figures – it’s more powerful than all entry-level, naturally aspirated engines of its rivals, but slightly less powerful than the turbo-petrol units. The XUV300 Turbosport with the 131hp, TGDi engine remains the most powerful in its class. Meanwhile, the Brezza gets the largest engine, but it’s the only one to miss out on a turbo-petrol unit.

It’s worth mentioning that the likes of the Nexon, XUV300, Venue and Sonet are also available with a diesel engine. The percentage of diesel buyers in this class is less than majority and shrinking, but the said models at least offer that option. The Brezza is the only model in this class to get a factory-fitted CNG kit; the Nexon will soon get one too.

Skoda compact SUV expected price

Skoda’s compact SUV is also slated to be a global model, one that will be exported to markets like South America, South-East Asia and Africa, among others. This will help deliver the scale needed to get the most out of the India 2.5 plan. Skoda is aware that the compact SUV has to be competitively priced to attain its full potential, especially against the likes of Maruti, Hyundai and Tata. We expect it to be priced between Rs 9 lakh-14 lakh (ex-showroom), which is at par with the competition, and only slightly above the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger that are positioned at the budget end of the segment.

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