Spec comparison: Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos vs Tata Harrier vs MG Hector

Skoda India has finally launched the long-awaited Kushaq in the Indian market. This compact SUV is a very important product for the Czech carmaker as it's establishing the foundation of the India 2.0 project that will see more launches in future from both Skoda and Volkswagen. The compact-SUV segment has never been so competitive and the Kushaq has tough competition to defeat and become the true emperor. We have pitted the Kushaq with its rivals to see how does it stack up!

Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos vs Tata Harrier vs MG Hector - Dimensions and Design

Skoda Kushaq sits on the MQB-AO IN platform that has been engineered keeping the Indian market in focus. While the wheelbase of the Kushaq is longer than both the Creta and Seltos, it's the smallest SUV in this comparison. All three SUVs are considerably longer, taller and wider than the Kushaq. MG Hector is the longest and tallest SUV here with dimensions of 4,655mm and 1760mm respectively. The Harrier is the widest SUV with a width of 1894mm and the Harrier is just a few mm shorter than the Hector in terms of wheelbase.

Skoda Kushaq is the newest entrant in the Compact SUV space and it looks fresher too. Read our review of the Skoda Kushaq here. It's not very radical like the Hyundai Creta and sports very proportionate dimensions. Tata Harrier and MG Hector sit a notch above the Kushaq, Creta and the Seltos but as the pricing of all these SUVs clashes with each other and buyers do consider looking over bigger options as well.

Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos vs Tata Harrier vs MG Hector - Features

Skoda Kushaq packs in a lot of goodies that put it in line with the competition. While the Korean rivals top the features list, the Kushaq isn't far behind whereas the Harrier is the least equipped SUV here. However, by no means Harrier is under-equipped as it offers all the necessary daily use and safety features. The Kushaq boasts features like ventilated seats with leatherette seat covers, a 10-inch infotainment system, 6-airbags, ESP, electric sunroof to name a few.

All the SUVs listed here offers six airbags, electric sunroof, height-adjustable driver's seat, ESP, reverse parking camera, rear armrest, rear AC vents, touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and go and more. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos trump the competition in this segment thanks to an air purifier, ventilated seats, wireless charging, connected car tech and more.

Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos vs Tata Harrier vs MG Hector - Engines and Prices

Skoda Kushaq is offered with two TSI petrol engines with no diesel engine for the time being. The 1.0-litre TSI motor puts out 115PS and 175 Nm of torque, mated with a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The 1.5-litre TSI motor puts out 150PS and 250 Nm of torque, mated with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos are offered with the same 1.5-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 1.4-litre turbo petrol engines. However, the Seltos is further offered with 1.4-litre MT and 1.5-litre iMT gearbox options as well that the Creta misses. Read our Hyundai Creta versus Kia Seltos comparison story here.

Tata Harrier is only offered with a 2.0-litre FCA-sourced diesel engine that produces 170PS and 350 Nm of torque. The diesel motor comes mated with a 6-speed manual and Hyundai-sourced 6-speed automatic gearbox. MG Hector also uses the 2.0-litre diesel engine, found in the Harrier, with a similar state of tune. However, MG doesn't offer any diesel automatic option. To compensate for that, MG Hector 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol motor is offered with 6-speed MT, 6-speed MT with hybrid, 6-speed DCT and 8-speed CVT gearbox options.

Talking of prices, Skoda has launched the Kushaq at a starting price of Rs 10.5 lakh and the range tops at Rs 17.60 lakh. The Hyundai Creta range starts from Rs 9.99 lakh and goes to Rs 17.70 lakh. Kia Seltos undercuts the Creta as the range starts from Rs 9.95 lakh and tops at Rs 17.65 lakh. Tata Harrier is positioned above and its range starts from Rs 14.29 lakh and goes to Rs 20.81 lakh. Lastly, MG Hector is priced from Rs 13.17 lakh and goes to Rs 18.85 lakh. All prices mentioned are ex-showroom, New Delhi.

Also Read,

2021 Skoda Kushaq road test review – 1.0 AT, 1.5 DCT driven

Skoda Kushaq price comparison vs segment-leading rivals Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos

Comparison test: 2020 Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos

2019 MG Hector petrol automatic road test review

2020 Tata Harrier Automatic BSVI first drive review

Text by Amit Saraswat