Compared: Skoda Kushaq Pitted Against Its Rivals

The Skoda Kushaq has been revealed in India, ahead of its mid-2021 launch. It will square off against the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in the compact-SUV segment. So, we decided to pit Skoda’s latest offering against its rivals for a comprehensive on-paper comparison. The similarly priced Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster also come into the equation. Let’s see how the new Kushaq fares: 

Dimensions

*Including roof rails

In terms of exterior dimensions, the Skoda Kushaq is the smallest, but its wheelbase is longer than that of the Seltos and Creta by 41mm. Overall, the Kicks and Duster are the largest models compared to the others. The Duster also has the maximum boot space, while Kushaq has the smallest. The Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have a larger boot space (at 433 litres each) than the Kushaq and Kicks, but smaller than that of the Duster. 

Features

Common features include a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, and climate control. 

• The Renault Duster misses out on connected car tech, rear AC vents, and LED headlamps. All three features are present in its rivals. 

• While the Kushaq is fairly well-equipped, it still misses out on a head-up display, rear sunblinds, and electric seat adjustment (for the driver). 

• The Creta is the only model here with a panoramic sunroof. The Kushaq and Seltos come with a single-pane sunroof. 

• Overall, the Seltos is the better equipped of the pack with exclusive features like a head-up display.

• The Creta gets a 7-inch digital driver’s display, while the Seltos features a multi-info colour display of the same size. 

Safety Features

• All SUVs come with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors with a camera. 

• The Kushaq, Creta, and Seltos also come with side and curtain airbags. 

• Electronic stability control and traction control are offered as standard in the Skoda, Hyundai, and Kia offerings. However, the two Nissan and Renault models offer these features only in their respective Turbo variants. 

• The Seltos also comes with blind spot monitoring, which relays the feed from the ORVM camera to the multi-info display. 

Entry-level Engine

The Kushaq’s entry-level powertrain is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. While it is low on displacement, it develops 115 PS (like that of the naturally aspirated unit in the Hyundai Creta) and 175Nm of torque, which is the maximum here. The Duster and Kicks’s 1.5-litre units generate the least power and torque. 

All the three engines can be mated to standard manual transmissions. But, if you want an optional automatic, you’ve got to turn to the Skoda, Hyundai, and Kia models. The naturally aspirated Kicks and Duster don’t have an automatic transmission on offer. 

Top-spec Powertrain

*only in Kia Seltos

The Kushaq is also provided with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. While it isn’t the most powerful, it generates 150PS and 250Nm, only 6PS and 4Nm shy of the Kicks and Duster’s output figures. The Seltos and Creta’s turbo-petrol engines develop the least power and torque. 

Except for the Creta, all the turbo-petrol powered SUVs can be had with a manual gearbox. While the Skoda and Kia/Hyundai siblings come with an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, the Kicks and Duster rely on a CVT. 

Verdict

The Kushaq ain’t perfect. It’s the smallest SUV in its segment, and the lack of a diesel engine might put off potential buyers. But, it seems like it does have the chops to pull buyers into Skoda showrooms. If priced sensibly, the subcompact SUV could be the ace up the Czech carmaker’s sleeves.