The Hyundai Venue N Line is one of the most performance-oriented cars in the compact SUV space, and it 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 engine at a slightly higher price. If you are looking for a performance-oriented, 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 and heavier, and is more expensive than the Venue N Line
Both the Venue N Line and Skoda Kushaq get a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TGDi turbo-petrol engine with similar outputs. However, the SUVs use very different automatic gearboxes – the Venue N Line gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) while the Kushaq is offered with an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox (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, with the entry-spec variant asking Rs 1.33 lakh more and the top-spec variant asking Rs 2.4 lakh more.
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. This is mainly because of its torque converter automatic gearbox, which allows it to launch more aggressively than the Venue N Line’s DCT, which has been deliberately dulled to improve clutch longevity. This advantage from initial acceleration continues even when the SUVs reach 100kph, when the Kushaq AT records a slightly quicker time by 0.10 seconds than the Venue N Line DCT.
Both the automatic variants of the Venue N Line and Kushaq are offered with paddle shifters, but the Venue N Line is offered with three drive modes: Eco, Normal and Sport, and traction modes which 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, where the Venue N Line turbo-DCT powertrain posts quicker 20-80kph and 40-100kph acceleration times in kickdown mode by 0.60 seconds and 0.54 seconds, respectively.
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
Glenn Noronha
