The Renault Duster is one of the newer midsize SUVs in India, available with two turbo-petrol engine options. Among these, the 1.3-litre unit, offered with the higher-spec variants, is the most powerful turbo-petrol mill in the segment. With this engine, the Duster offers an alternative to the Skoda Kushaq, whose 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine has been revered by enthusiasts since the SUV debuted in 2021. But which powertrain between the Renault Duster’s 1.3-litre turbo-petrol DCT and the Skoda Kushaq’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT offers better performance? Let us find out.
Explore full specs, features and a price breakdown in our Duster vs Kushaq comparison.
Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq DCT: Specifications and price
The Kushaq has a larger engine, but the Duster offers more power and torque
Although the Duster has a smaller-capacity engine than the Kushaq, it produces 13hp and 30Nm more. On the other hand, the Kushaq is 41kg lighter than the Duster, but the Duster has better power-to-weight and torque-to-weight ratios. Another point of distinction is that the Duster is offered with a 6-speed DCT, while the Kushaq is offered with an additional gear.
Interestingly, the Duster’s top-spec 1.3-litre turbo-petrol DCT is priced up to Rs 18.49 lakh, which is Rs 30,000 less than the most affordable Kushaq 1.5-litre turbo-petrol DCT variant.
Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq DCT: 0-100kph acceleration test
Duster is faster at launch but loses steam compared to Kushaq once speeds increase
In our 0-100kph tests, the Renault Duster has better acceleration from the get-go. But the Kushaq catches up soon and then does not let the Duster surpass it. In fact, the Kushaq reaches 100kph 1.71 seconds faster than the Duster, and by 120kph, it leads the Duster by 2.21 seconds. During our time with both SUVs, we found there’s noticeable turbo lag below 2,000-2,500rpm on the Duster, and as speeds increase, a jerk can be felt as the gearbox works around it.
Unlike the Kushaq, the Duster gets a wet-clutch arrangement, which offers smoothness similar to a torque converter. However, the Duster’s DCT does not shift gears as quickly as the Kushaq’s dry-clutch unit, which is one of the best in the segment.
Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq DCT: Rolling acceleration tests
The Kushaq posts much quicker rolling acceleration times
The in-gear acceleration in the Duster is also slower than that of the Kushaq. In third gear, the Kushaq takes 0.89 seconds less to reach 80kph and 1.23 seconds less to reach 100kph in fourth gear.
Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq DCT: Braking test
The Kushaq stops faster and covers less distance under hard braking
Under hard braking from 80kph, the Kushaq again performs better than the Duster, as it takes 0.24 seconds and 3.01 metres less to come to a standstill.
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.
Uday Singh
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Rivan RS 
