Skoda Kushaq vs Rivals: Specifications Comparison

The Skoda Kushaq has been doing quite well in the compact SUV segment for a while now. Rewinding to 2021, the Skoda Kushaq was one of the most anticipated Skoda cars. Under the VW Group’s India 2.0 project, the Skoda Kushaq was the first offering based on the MQB-A0-IN platform. Skoda’s Kushaq and Slavia, Volkswagen’s Taigun, and Virtus are the current Indian-spec vehicles that share that platform.

In the compact SUV segment, the Kushaq rivals the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, the upcoming Toyota Hyryder and the Volkswagen Taigun, to name a few. So, let’s see how Kushaq fights with its competitors on specifications and other factors.

Skoda Kushaq vs Rivals: Specifications

Let’s make the Skoda Kushaq compete with its German cousin and the Koreans’ bestsellers: the Volkswagen Taigun, the Hyundai Creta, and the Kia Seltos. Let’s begin with the Skoda Kushaq. It gets the same turbo-petrol engine (TSI) as the Volkswagen Taigun. There is no diesel option on offer since the VW Group discontinued making turbo-diesel (TDI) engines. However, the current offerings in India under the MQB-A0-IN platform all share the same engine units. Speaking of engine units, the Skoda Kushaq gets 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI engines. The former produces 115bhp and 178Nm of torque, while the latter produces 150bhp and 250Nm of torque. The Skoda Kushaq has three transmission options: a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter, and a 7-speed DSG. However, if you want to know the drivability of the German compact SUV, check out the Skoda Kushaq review.

As for the fuel economy, the Skoda Kushaq’s mileage (ARAI-claimed) ranges between 15.78kmpl and 17.88kmpl, depending upon the engine and transmission.

The Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos have the same engine options. They also have petrol-powered and diesel engines, but let’s keep the diesel engine aside for now. However, it gets a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine. The former produces 115bhp and 144Nm of torque, whereas the latter produces 140bhp and 242Nm of torque. The transmission options are a 6-speed manual, a 7-speed DSG, and a CVT.

With the above figures, Skoda Kushaq’s specifications are far better than Korean carmakers’. However, at the same time, the German compact SUV has the smallest engine displacement in its segment. Now let’s jump to the features comparison.

Skoda Kushaq vs Rivals: Dimensions and Capacity

Let’s start with the Koreans. Here’s the Kia Seltos that measures 4315mm in length, 1800mm in width, and 1645mm in height, and it sits on a wheelbase of 2610mm. Unlike the Hyundai Creta’s exterior dimensions, the Seltos is 15mm longer than the Creta’s 4300mm, 10mm wider than the Creta’s 1790mm, and 10mm taller than the Creta’s 1635mm. However, both have an identical measurement for the wheelbase and a ground clearance of 190mm. The boot space of the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos is the same, at 433 litres.

On the flip side, the Skoda Kushaq dimensions measure 4225mm in length, 1760mm in width, and 1612mm in height, and it sits on a wheelbase of 2651mm. The Skoda Kushaq’s ground clearance is 188mm. The difference between the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun’s dimensions is the length, while the rest are identical. The former is 4mm longer than the latter. It is also worth mentioning that a long-wheelbase indicates more leg space. So, except for the wheelbase, the Kia Seltos tops the chart in terms of dimensions. The boot space of the Kia Seltos is 433 litres, which is identical to that of the Hyundai Creta. While, the Skoda Kushaq’s boot space is 385 litres, which is the same as the Taigun’s.

As per the above figures, the Creta and Seltos offer greater boot capacity than the German compact SUV. However, the Skoda Kushaq seems more practical, especially for parking on narrow streets. The Seltos and the Creta, on the other hand, are longer (in length), broader, and taller, which can translate to more cabin space such as shoulder room and headroom. But in a real-life test, the inside cabin experience may differ from what is on paper. So, if you want to know the rear seat experience of the Kushaq from an expert, you can check out the Kushaq review on autoX.

Skoda Kushaq vs Rivals: Prices

The Skoda Kushaq’s on-road Delhi price starts at Rs 13.22 lakh for the base model, the Active 1.0L TSI MT, and goes up to Rs 23.03 lakh for the top model, the Monte Carlo 1.5L TSI DSG. The prices are as of July 2022. The base model of the Volkswagen Taigun is slightly more expensive than the Kushaq’s. However, the Kushaq’s top-most variant, the Monte Carlo, is a lakh more expensive than the Volkswagen Taigun GT Plus 1.5 TSI DSG.

Apart from that, the Hyundai Creta on-road Delhi price begins at Rs 12.44 lakh for the base model, E 1.5 Petrol, and goes up to Rs 22.09 lakh for the top model, SX (O) 1.5 Diesel Automatic Knight. On the other hand, the Kia Seltos price starts at Rs 12.04 lakh for the base model, HTE 1.5, and goes up to Rs 22.46 lakh for the top-most model, X Line 1.5 Diesel Automatic. All are on-road prices.

So, these were a few tit-bits about the Skoda Kushaq and a few of its rivals. The Skoda Kushaq and its Korean competitors are well-equipped with features. However, the Kushaq is slightly behind the Koreans in fancy features. But in terms of performance, TSI engines are well-known to leave a smile on the driver’s face.

So, for extra comfort and features, buyers can opt for cars like the Creta or the Seltos. And buyers who want performance, comfort, and basic new-age features can choose the Skoda Kushaq or the Volkswagen Taigun. These views are as per observation; however, they can vary from person to person in real-life tests.

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