You check the brochure. You read the reviews. That official mileage figure looks great, right? But then you drive your own car… and the fuel gauge drops faster than you expected. Sound familiar? We decided to cut through the hype and put the popular Skoda Kushaq through a real-world mileage test. Buckle up, the results are eye-opening!
Forget Lab Tests, This is Real Life!
Official mileage figures (like ARAI in India) are done in perfect lab conditions. Gentle acceleration, ideal temperatures, no traffic jams! Real life? It’s messy. We took a mid-range Kushaq 1.0 TSI (Automatic) – a very popular choice – for a proper spin over a week in July 2025.
Our test mimicked how most people drive:
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City Chaos: Heavy traffic, stop-start driving, AC blasting (it’s July!).
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Highway Cruising: Steady speeds between 80-100 km/h.
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Mixed Bag: Our usual daily commutes – a bit of city, some open roads.
We filled the tank to the brim, reset the trip meter, drove normally, and then refilled to calculate the exact kilometers per liter (km/l). No fancy tricks!
The Shocking Real-World Numbers
Okay, drumroll please… Here’s what our Kushaq actually delivered:
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Pure City Driving (Heavy Traffic): 10.2 – 11.5 km/l
Ouch. Stop-and-go traffic and constant AC use really hit hard. Lower than we hoped. -
Highway Driving (Steady 90 km/h): 17.8 – 18.9 km/l
Much better! The engine relaxed, and the mileage jumped significantly. Smooth driving pays off. -
Mixed Everyday Driving (Our Typical Week): 13.5 – 14.8 km/l
This is the realistic number. A blend of traffic, open roads, and errands. The official figure is higher, but this feels honest.
Why Such a Big Gap?
It’s simple. Real life isn’t a lab! Here’s what tanks your mileage:
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Traffic Jams: Idling burns fuel for zero kilometers.
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Air Conditioning: Especially in peak summer, it’s a big drain.
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Driving Style: Aggressive acceleration and braking? Big fuel waster.
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Short Trips: The engine barely warms up, running inefficiently.
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Road Conditions: Hills, rough patches, and even strong headwinds matter.
Should You Buy the Skoda Kushaq for Mileage?
Honest Verdict: The Kushaq is a fantastic car – solid build, great features, comfortable ride. But if fuel efficiency is your absolute top priority, especially for city driving, you might feel a little disappointed compared to the official numbers.
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Buy it if: You love its driving feel, safety, and features, and your driving involves a good mix of highway and city. The highway mileage is genuinely good.
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Think twice if: Your driving is almost entirely in bumper-to-bumper city traffic and squeezing every km/l is critical. You might find rivals (especially some diesel or strong hybrid options) do better in that specific scenario.
The Real Takeaway
Don’t rely solely on the brochure figure! It’s a best-case scenario. Our test shows the Skoda Kushaq delivers decent, but not class-leading, real-world mileage, especially in the city. The 1.0 TSI engine is peppy but works harder in traffic, sipping more fuel.
Here’s My Friendly Tip: If you own a Kushaq (or any car!), try these to improve your mileage:
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Go easy on the pedals: Smooth acceleration and braking help massively.
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Use AC wisely: Not too cold, and use the recirculation mode once the car cools.
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Check tyre pressure: Under-inflated tyres create more drag.
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Avoid unnecessary weight: Clear out junk from your boot!
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Plan trips: Combine errands to avoid too many cold starts.
The Kushaq is a great all-rounder. Just go in with realistic expectations about fuel, especially in city summers. Happy (and efficient) driving!
Also Read: You Won’t Believe What the Alto K10 Offers Under ₹5 Lakh!
Hi, I’m Ricky, the founder of OKSociety.in. I’m a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for smartphones, mobile technology, and everything that makes our digital lives smarter. I started OKSociety to share honest reviews, the latest phone updates, and practical buying guides to help people make better choices in this fast-paced tech world.