Renault Duster Authentic Vs Skoda Kushaq Facelift Classic+: Which One Should You Pick?
The mid-size SUV segment has seen two new launches in the last week. One of them was the much-awaited Renault Duster, while the other was the Skoda Kushaq facelift. While both these SUVs were unveiled a couple of months ago, the official prices were only announced recently.
The Skoda Kushaq prices start at Rs 10.69 lakh, ex-showroom, and the Renault Duster prices start at Rs 10.49 lakh, ex-showroom. These are the prices for the base variants. What do the base variants of both these SUVs offer? Let’s find out.
The Renault Duster is available in Authentic, Evolution, Techno, Techno+, Iconic, and Iconic Launch Edition variants. We will be discussing the base Authentic variant in this story. Here is what the base Authentic variant of the Duster has to offer.
The base Authentic variant of the Duster comes with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine. As this is the base variant, it is only available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Despite being a base variant, Renault is offering a fair number of features with the Duster.
It comes with LED headlamps, LED DRLs, LED tail lamps, and turn indicators. The base variant also gets 17-inch steel rims, a roof spoiler, faux skid plates, and more. On the inside, Renault is offering all-black interiors with fabric upholstery, a sliding armrest, 60:40 split rear seats, and more.
The SUV also gets a 7-inch TFT colour instrument cluster, manual AC, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and remote keyless entry. However, it does not offer any infotainment system. On the safety front, Renault is offering six airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, TPMS, hill start assist, and rear parking sensors as standard.
The Skoda Kushaq facelift is available in Classic+, Signature, Sportline, Prestige, and Monte Carlo editions. Here, we will only discuss the entry-level Classic+ variant.
Just like the Renault Duster, the Skoda Kushaq Classic+ variant is also available with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine. However, compared to the Duster, Skoda is offering an automatic option along with the manual even in the base variant. The manual version is powered by a 6-speed gearbox and costs Rs 10.69 lakh, ex-showroom, while the automatic version, which uses a new 8-speed transmission, is priced at Rs 12.69 lakh, ex-showroom.
Coming to the features, the Classic+ variant offers a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 6 speakers, an analogue instrument cluster with a monochrome MID, a single-pane sunroof, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, and an integrated air purifier.
The automatic variants get paddle shifters and cruise control. Both versions come with automatic LED headlamps, LED DRLs, fog lamps with a cornering function, LED tail lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a 12V charging socket for front passengers.
Other features include black and greige fabric seat upholstery, front door scuff plates with ‘Kushaq’ inscription, a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever (AT only), tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, all four power windows, a sliding front centre armrest with storage space, and more.
On the safety front, it gets 6 airbags, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a rear wiper and defogger, an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror (IRVM), anti-glare outside rear view mirrors (ORVMs), hill hold assist (AT only), ESC, ABS, EBD, TCS, brake disc wiping, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers with reminders, and ISOFIX child seat anchors for the rear seats.
Both the Renault Duster and the Skoda Kushaq facelift base variants are priced under Rs 11 lakh, which is quite an interesting price point. If you are in the market for a mid-size SUV, both these options are good.
However, if you want more features for the money you are spending, the Skoda Kushaq facelift feels like the better option. It won't be wrong to say that with Skoda Kushaq, you are getting more car for your money.