The Hyundai Venue N Line, one of the most performance-oriented cars in the compact SUV space, comes with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. While the Skoda Kushaq is positioned a segment above, it is also offered with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mill at a slightly higher price. If you are looking for a fun-to-drive SUV, should you go for the Venue N Line or upgrade to the Kushaq? We compare the Venue N Line DCT with the Kushaq AT to find out.
Hyundai Venue N Line DCT vs Skoda Kushaq AT: Price, specs
The Kushaq is larger, heavier and more expensive than the Venue N Line
Both the Venue N Line and Skoda Kushaq get a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TGDi petrol engine with similar outputs. However, the SUVs use very different automatic gearboxes – the Venue N Line gets a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), whereas the Kushaq has an 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (AT). The midsize Kushaq is larger than the compact Venue N Line and is 42kg heavier. The additional 5hp and weight advantage mean the Venue N Line has a slightly better power-to-weight ratio, but the torque-to-weight ratio is similar for both SUVs.
The Kushaq’s AT variants are pricier than the Venue N Line’s DCT variants – Rs 1.33 lakh more for the base variant and Rs 2.4 lakh more in top-spec guise.
Hyundai Venue N Line DCT vs Skoda Kushaq AT: 0-100kph test
The Kushaq posts a slightly quicker 0-100kph time
Right off the line, the Kushaq gets a better launch, mainly because of its torque-converter automatic gearbox. The Venue N Line’s DCT has been deliberately dulled to improve clutch longevity. This initial advantage continues, with the Kushaq AT recording a 0.10-second quicker 0-100kph time than the Venue N Line DCT.
The automatic variants of both the Venue N Line and Kushaq are offered with paddle shifters, but the Venue N Line gets three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – along with traction modes that can tweak the throttle response as desired. For the real-world performance tests, we used the Venue N Line in the ‘Sport’ mode. Such modes are absent on the Kushaq.
Hyundai Venue N Line DCT vs Skoda Kushaq AT: Rolling acceleration test
Venue N Line DCT posts quicker rolling acceleration times than Kushaq AT
Once past the initial turbo lag, the Venue N Line offers strong performance as the computer does not slip the clutch to save it while downshifting aggressively. This is also visible in the rolling acceleration results. In kickdown mode, the Venue N Line turbo-DCT is 0.60 seconds quicker in the 20-80kph test and 0.54 seconds quicker in the 40-100kph test.
The Skoda Kushaq is quicker off the line, but the Venue N Line excels in rolling acceleration. So, if you have the budget and need a bigger car, you can go with the Kushaq, and if not, the Venue N Line is a good enough option if you want a fun-to-drive SUV.
Autocar India’s testing standards
Before we conduct our performance tests, we check and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure the car has a full tank of fuel. The car is then tested in a controlled environment with two people on board, and the data is collected via highly accurate GPS-based timing equipment.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
Viraaj Bhatnagar
