Honda Elevate vs Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Honda Elevate as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- Pick the Renault Duster if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (518 L).
- Pick the Skoda Kushaq if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 19.8 kmpl).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Honda Elevate | Renault Duster | Skoda Kushaq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹11.99 Lakh – ₹16.86 Lakh | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.69 Lakh | ₹10.50 Lakh – ₹18.50 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.5L i-VTEC petrol | 1.0L turbo-petrol (TCe 100) / 1.3L turbo-petrol (TCe 160) | 1.0L & 1.5L TSI turbo-petrol |
| Max power | 119 bhp | 160 bhp | 148 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, CVT | Manual, DCT | Manual, Torque Converter AT, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 15–17 kmpl | 17.75-19.41 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) | 17.7-19.8 kmpl (ARAI) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | Not tested | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 458 L | 518 L | 385 L |
Honda Elevate in short
The Elevate is Honda's midsize SUV built on the City's platform, squaring up to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. It counters their variant blitz with a simple honest formula: the proven 1.5 i-VTEC, a smooth CVT, 220 mm ground clearance and Honda Sensing ADAS. It trades flash for driving polish and long-term dependability.
Full Elevate prices & variants →Renault Duster in short
The Duster is back — the nameplate that created India's midsize SUV segment returned in 2026 on the Renault-Nissan CMF-B platform it shares with the Nissan Tekton, with butch third-generation styling, a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating and six standard airbags. There is no diesel or AWD this time, but the 160bhp 1.3L turbo-petrol is among the punchiest engines in the class and a 518-litre boot leads it, while a strong-hybrid version is expected around Diwali 2026. It takes on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara and its own alliance twin, the Tekton.
Full Duster prices & variants →Skoda Kushaq in short
The Kushaq was the first product of Skoda's India 2.0 programme and remains the keen driver's alternative to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara. Its European-tuned chassis and strong TSI engines set the segment's dynamic benchmark, and a five-star Global NCAP score underlines its solid build. It counters feature-heavy rivals with substance over gadget count.
Full Kushaq prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Elevate vs Duster vs Kushaq — which should I buy?
Pick the Honda Elevate as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Pick the Renault Duster if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the best crash-test score (5 stars), the biggest boot (518 L). Pick the Skoda Kushaq if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 19.8 kmpl). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Elevate, Duster, Kushaq?
The Renault Duster starts lowest at ₹10.49 Lakh, against ₹10.50 Lakh for the Kushaq and ₹11.99 Lakh for the Elevate (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Honda Elevate: not yet NCAP-tested; Renault Duster: 5 stars; Skoda Kushaq: 5 stars.