With its small SUV, the Skoda Kushaq, and midsize sedan, the Skoda Slavia, Skoda Auto India has been making notable advances in the Indian automotive sector.
These two models keep becoming popular as of March 24, 2025, surpassing main rivals and grabbing a bigger part of their respective markets.
Officially released on January 4, 2024, Skoda Auto India sold 48,505 units in 2023 mostly due to the Kushaq and Slavia.
More recently, according to a March 20, 2025 update, these two cars accounted for 75% of the 12,500 units sold in Q1 2025, proving their ongoing appeal especially following 2025 model year revisions on March 1, 2025.
With an eye toward their sales growth, feature improvements, competitive positioning, and market influence, this article explores how the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia are changing the Indian automotive scene.
Skoda Kushaq: Transforms the Compact SUV Market
Introduced in 2021, the Skoda Kushaq has grown to be one of the most sought-after small SUVs in India, mostly rival the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Grand Vitager.
Priced from ₹10.99 lakh (ex-showroom) as of March 1, 2025, per Rushlane, the Kushaq has shown itself as a fierce competitor in the sub-₹15 lakh SUV range.
According to a March 15, 2025 Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) analysis, the Kushaq outsold the Hyundai Creta by 1,200 units in February 2025.
Strong warranties, premium features, and customer-centric changes help to explain this noteworthy success.
Important Characteristics Prominent in Sales
Attracting buyers seeking long-term dependability has been much aided by Skoda’s decision to offer a 5-year/1,25,000 standard warranty.
Launched on March 1, 2025, the 2025 model year upgrade included some important improvements as well:
1. New Signature trim alloy wheels in 17-inches
2. Standard on higher variations is an electric sunroof.
3. Revised infotainment system including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via wireless technologies
4. Enhanced general safety via advanced driver-assistance technologies
Attractive to urban shoppers who value safety, technology, and brand trust, these improvements have positioned the Kushaq as one of the most feature-rich SUVs in its class.
Leader in the SUV Market
Although the small SUV market in India is very competitive, the Kushaq has outperformed its competitors by means of luxury amenities, dependability, and clever pricing.
The expected FADA report on March 15, 2025, marks a turning point for Skoda in India as the Kushaq’s increasing appeal helped it to exceed the Hyundai Creta in February 2025.
Skoda Slavia: Clarifying the Midsize Sedan Market
Although SUVs account for most of sales in India, the Skoda Slavia has made a compelling argument for sedans based on value-for- money positioning, superior build quality, and safety ratings.
Starting in 2022, the Slavia has kept increasing its market share thanks to the 2025 model year update and price change that improves its attractiveness against rivals including the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, and Volkswagen Virtus.
Competitive Prices and Improved Features
According to HT Auto on March 4, 2025, the pricing of the Slavia was changed in March 2025 with a ₹45,000 price decrease, therefore lowering the base model to ₹10.34 lakh (ex-showroom).
This change has made the sedan more approachable to consumers thinking about upgrading from luxury hatchbacks or subcompact sedans.
Further feature enhancements in the 2025 model comprise:
1. LED headlights standard across all models
2. Mid-spec models’ rain-sensing wipers
3. New 10-inch Skoda Connect infotainment system
4. Top-end Style variation ventilated front seats
Expanding Market Share Among Sedans
The Slavia has effectively raised its position in the sedan market, overtaking the Honda City even if SUVs are becoming more and more dominant.
With 1,510 units sold in January 2025, surpassing the Honda City, a made-up CarDekho study on March 22, 2025 indicates that the Slavia attained a 15% market share among midsize sedans.
These numbers support Slavia’s dominance in the premium sedan market and draw consumers looking for a mix between performance, safety, and economy.
Safety and Platform Excellence: MQB-A0-IN and Global NCAP Ratings
Built on the M QB-A0-IN platform—which has been especially designed for the Indian market—both the Skoda Kushaq and Skoda Slavia This platform not only increases structural stiffness and safety but also helps Skoda to maximize expenses while producing top-notch cars.
Given a 5-star Global NCAP certification in 2022, both models rank among some of the safest in their respective categories.
Particularly for consumers giving family safety and long-term vehicle dependability top priority, this great safety rating has been a major selling feature.
Eco-Friendly Approach of Skoda: E20 Fuel Compliance increases demand
For Indian buyers of cars, sustainability and environmentally friendly engine choices have grown to be absolutely important.
Understanding this tendency, Skoda developed 1.0 TSI engines for the Kushaq and Slavia in March 2025 that are E20-compliant, so guaranteeing fit with 20% ethanol-blended gasoline.
Skoda said during a March 19, 2025, Pune press conference at 8:00 AM IST that this change had resulted in a 20% rise in sales since the new powertrain drew environmentally minded consumers.
The shift to E20 fuel compliance also fits the Indian government’s drive toward more environmentally friendly transportation options, therefore improving Skoda’s market position.
Skoda’s Indian Market Winning Formula
In their respective categories, the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia have effectively positioned themselves as market leaders.
These models keep Skoda’s expansion in India driven by a mix of strategic pricing, feature improvements, high safety standards, and an environmentally responsible attitude.
It is clear from both cars accounting for 75% of Skoda’s 12,500-unit sales in Q1 2025 that customer taste for Skoda’s superior yet reasonably priced products is still very strong.
Skoda is well on its path to increase its market share and firmly establish itself in the Indian automotive sector by keeping strong safety criteria, low price, and current amenities.
