Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq turbo-petrol DCT: Real-world mileage compared

The new Renault Duster and updated Skoda Kushaq went on sale within days of each other in March 2026. Higher variants of these midsize SUVs come equipped with powerful direct-injection turbo-petrol engines and quick-shifting DCTs, making them strong contenders for enthusiast buyers. However, fuel efficiency remains a major criterion for many, which is why we put the Duster and Kushaq through our fastidious real-world mileage tests.

Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq turbo-petrol DCT: Specifications and price

Duster has a smaller engine, but Kushaq is lighter and has cylinder deactivation tech

Despite the Duster's engine being on the back foot in terms of displacement, it makes 13hp and 30Nm more than the Kushaq 1.5 TSI does. However, the Kushaq's dual-clutch automatic gets an additional gear and is a dry-clutch unit, which doesn't have the drag losses (and thereby marginally lower overall mechanical efficiency) that the Duster's wet-clutch DCT does.

Another point worth noting about the Kushaq is that its 1.5 TSI engine uniquely features active cylinder deactivation, which shuts off two cylinders at cruising speeds to save fuel – this can give the Kushaq a major advantage in highway fuel efficiency. The Kushaq is also lighter by 41kg, and bears a slightly higher ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency.

Kushaq 1.5 TSI DCT is significantly more expensive

Since Skoda offers the 1.5 TSI as the Kushaq's range-topping engine option, it ends up being much pricier than the turbo-petrol Duster, which can be had in lower variants. At the base level, the Kushaq 1.5 TSI is Rs 4.3 lakh more expensive, and comparing their fully-loaded versions, the Duster still works out Rs 50,000 cheaper.

Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq turbo-petrol DCT: Real-world mileage test results

Kushaq was more fuel-efficient across the board

The Kushaq was the indubitable winner in our the real-world mileage testing. In the city, the Kushaq travelled 2.08km farther for every litre of petrol than the Duster did. Interestingly, despite its cylinder deactivation tech, the Kushaq couldn't widen its fuel efficiency lead over the Duster on the highway, but the Skoda SUV was still a considerable 1.82kpl ahead.

Comparing their real-world average fuel efficiency figures, the Kushaq outperforms the Duster by a substantial 1.95kpl margin. This computes to a 97.5km bump in the Kushaq's real-world driving range, which stands at 621km. The Duster, meanwhile, managed a real-world range of 523.5km. It also goes without saying that the Kushaq adhered much better to its ARAI fuel efficiency than the Renault SUV did.

Autocar India's fuel-efficiency testing

Before our real-world fuel-efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car, operating the air conditioner and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.

All prices are ex-showroom, India.