2026 Skoda Kushaq Facelift: Monte Carlo vs Prestige Compared — New 8-Speed AT & Rear Massager

It’s Thursday, January 22, 2026, and if you’ve been holding off on a mid-size SUV, Skoda just made your decision a whole lot harder. Two days ago, they finally pulled the silk off the 2026 Kushaq Facelift.

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The thing is, the “Monte Carlo” isn’t just a trim anymore; it’s practically a different personality. While the Prestige variant is all about that “quiet luxury” and chrome, the Monte Carlo is the one screaming for attention with those red-painted grille slats and blacked-out everything. Or nothing.

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Prestige vs. Monte Carlo: The Field Notes

It’s an ongoing situation where Skoda is trying to satisfy the family buyer and the “boy racer” at the same time. Here’s the ground reality of what actually sets them apart:

• The Face-Off: Both get the new Kodiaq-inspired connected DRL strip (which looks incredible at night, let’s be real). But the Prestige keeps the classic chrome ribs, while the Monte Carlo goes full “Modern Solid” with a gloss-black grille and two distinct red slats.¹ Those too.

• The “Panoramic” Shift: Finally. Both top trims now feature a panoramic sunroof, fixing the biggest complaint of the old model.² But inside, the Prestige is all airy black-and-beige, whereas the Monte Carlo is a “crimson cave”—black leatherette with red stitching and a red-accented dashboard.³

• Segment Firsts: Here’s the kicker—both variants now come with rear-seat massaging functions. In a Kushaq? Yes. It’s an ongoing situation where Skoda is punching way above its weight class to fight off the Hyundai Creta and the new Tata Sierra.

• The Gearbox Swap: The 1.0L TSI has ditched the old 6-speed for a new 8-speed torque converter.⁴ It’s smoother, more efficient, and honestly, long overdue. The 1.5L TSI stays with the lightning-fast 7-speed DSG, but now it finally gets rear disc brakes as standard.⁵ Or nothing.

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The “Kushaq Facelift” spec Matrix

And Here’s the Kicker…

The thing is, despite all the tech, Skoda still missed out on ADAS and a 360-degree camera.⁶ Let’s be real—when the Maruti Victoris and Kia Seltos are offering Level 2 autonomy, skipping it in 2026 feels like a weird move. Or nothing.

One side comment—the new colors are a vibe. Shimla Green and Steel Grey are going to be the ones you see all over Instagram. They’ve even made the ‘SKODA’ lettering on the back glow. Those too.

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End…

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