Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq Facelift: Features, Specs, Dimensions Comparison

Renault India recently unveiled the new 2026 Renault Duster SUV in the Indian market. The SUV is making a comeback after being discontinued in 2022, and was originally introduced in 2012. Duster was a pioneer that reshaped India’s compact SUV segment and laid the foundation for it to become one of the fastest growing categories. It continues to compete in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment with the likes of Tata Sierra, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Maruti Victoris, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hayrider, Honda Elevate, Skoda Kushaq and others. In this article, let’s compare the 2026 Duster with the Skoda Kushaq facelift.

2026 Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq Facelift: Engine Options First comparing the engine options, the new Renault Duster will be offered with three engine options – a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 100 PS of power and 160 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The second engine is a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol with 163 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed DCT or a 6-speed manual. It also has a larger 1.8-litre strong hybrid petrol engine with 109 hp, a 49 hp electric motor and a 20 hp hybrid starter generator (HSG), paired with a 1.4 kWh (280 V) battery. Together, this configuration delivers a combined system output of 160hp and 172Nm.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift is offered with two engine options – a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine that produces 115 hp power and 175 Nm torque. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual or a new 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The second engine is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo diesel with 150 hp and 250 Nm. Gearbox options for the 1.5 include only a 7-speed DSG.

2026 Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq New Look: Features The new Renault Duster features a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, 6-way powered and ventilated front seats, 48-color ambient lighting, keyless entry with push button start/stop, There’s multi-drive mode and more. Safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, 360-degree camera, electric parking brake, disc brakes on all four wheels and Level 2 ADAS features.

Talking about the features of Kushaq facelift, it gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected-car technology along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. This infotainment system gets an AI companion app built on technologies powered by Google, which introduces advanced digital capabilities to the vehicle, including intuitive voice-based control of key functions enabled by Gemini AI. Other features include a fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster, six-speaker Skoda sound system with subwoofer and amplifier, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, leatherette seats, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, a segment-first rear massager and more.

2026 Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq facelift: DimensionsComparing the dimensions further, the Skoda Kushaq facelift measures 4225 mm in length, 1760 mm in width, 1612 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2651 mm. Ground clearance is rated at 188 mm and there is a boot space of 491 litres. The new Duster has a length of 4343 mm, width of 1813 mm, height of 1659 mm and wheelbase of 2657 mm. Its ground clearance is 212 mm and boot space is 594 litres. In comparison, the new Duster is larger than the Skoda Kushaq facelift in every key dimension, being 118 mm longer, 53 mm wider and 47 mm taller, with the wheelbase slightly longer by 6 mm. It offers more ground clearance of 212 mm compared to the Kushaq’s 188 mm, as well as a significantly larger boot capacity of 594 liters compared to 491 litres.