Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (September 2026):
- Pick the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 27.97 kmpl).
- 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 as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara in short
The Grand Vitara is Maruti's Nexa flagship midsize SUV, co-developed with Toyota (which sells it as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder). Its headline act is the 1.5L strong-hybrid powertrain claiming 27.97 kmpl, unique in the segment alongside its Toyota twin, and it also offers mild-hybrid petrol, CNG and an AllGrip AWD manual. It takes on the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Honda Elevate and VW Taigun.
Full Grand Vitara 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
Grand Vitara vs Duster vs Kushaq — which should I buy?
Pick the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 27.97 kmpl). 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 as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Grand Vitara, Duster, Kushaq?
The Renault Duster starts lowest at ₹10.49 Lakh, against ₹10.50 Lakh for the Kushaq and ₹10.77 Lakh for the Grand Vitara (ex-showroom, September 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara: not yet NCAP-tested; Renault Duster: 5 stars; Skoda Kushaq: 5 stars.