More reasons to buy the Skoda Kushaq now. Under the Global NCAP test protocol, Kushaq has scored a perfect 5-star safety rating. Noteworthy mention, Volswagen’s Taigun, too, received the 5-star safety rating. No surprises here, as both the SUVs use the same underpinning from ŠKODA Auto Volkswagen India Group. More interestingly, both these midsize SUVs are the first vehicles to achieve a 5-star rating for both adult and child occupants. With this, we can conclude that the Indianised German SUVs under the ‘India 2.0’ platform did live up to the standards.
Kushaq scored 29.64 points in the adult occupant protection test out of a maximum of 34 points. Secondly, the SUV scored high in the child occupant protection test, scoring 42 points out of a possible 49. GNCAP rated that the protection of the Kushaq for the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck was adequate. In fact, the driver’s chest showed good protection and the same for the passenger’s chest as well. Testers mentioned that Kushaq offered ISOFIX mounting points on the outer rear seats, which adds to the safety of the child. With this result, Skoda reiterated its stand on safety, which has always been central to the brand’s ethos. And we see the same to continue with the MQB-A0-IN platform as well.
Based on the new testing procedure, during the side impact tests with a deformable barrier, GNCAP used a two-airbag version of the Kushaq. Meanwhile, a six-airbag made up for the side pole impact test. For your reference, both Kushaq scored 14.5 points out of a possible 17 on this test.
GNCAP has overhauled the whole process of crash testing. A star rating under the older protocol was reflective of performance only in case of a front crash. But under the updated protocols, the star rating pretty much reflects much more rounded protection that takes into account the side impact of the vehicle as well. In fact, it also tests the vehicle’s ESC system, which helps prevent an accident in the first place.
Also Read: Made-in-India Skoda Kushaq & Slavia to be exported to Vietnamese market.