Nissan Tekton vs Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq (2026)
The classic midsize suv shortlist, settled with numbers (August 2026):
- Pick the Nissan Tekton if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the biggest boot (518 L).
- Pick the Renault Duster as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- Pick the Skoda Kushaq if you want the best claimed efficiency (up to 19.8 kmpl).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
| Spec | Nissan Tekton | Renault Duster | Skoda Kushaq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.59 Lakh | ₹10.49 Lakh – ₹18.69 Lakh | ₹10.50 Lakh – ₹18.50 Lakh |
| Engine / Motor | 1.0L turbo-petrol (T160) / 1.3L turbo-petrol (T280) | 1.0L turbo-petrol (TCe 100) / 1.3L turbo-petrol (TCe 160) | 1.0L & 1.5L TSI turbo-petrol |
| Max power | 160 bhp | 160 bhp | 148 bhp |
| Fuel options | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Transmissions | Manual, DCT | Manual, DCT | Manual, Torque Converter AT, DCT |
| Mileage (claimed) | 17.8-19.4 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) | 17.75-19.41 kmpl (ARAI, powertrain dependent) | 17.7-19.8 kmpl (ARAI) |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Safety rating | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Airbags (max) | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Boot space | 518 L | 518 L | 385 L |
Nissan Tekton in short
Launched on 9 July 2026 at introductory ex-showroom prices, the Tekton is Nissan India's long-awaited return to the midsize SUV segment, sharing its platform and turbo-petrol engines with the Renault Duster while squaring up to the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and Tata Curvv. It leads the class on outright practicality with a segment-best 518-litre boot and arrives with a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, six standard airbags and Level 2 ADAS on higher trims. The Patrol-inspired styling and a 12-variant lineup spanning Rs 10.49 lakh to Rs 18.59 lakh give it unusually broad coverage of the segment.
Full Tekton 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
Tekton vs Duster vs Kushaq — which should I buy?
Pick the Nissan Tekton if you want the lowest starting price (₹10.49 Lakh), the most power (160 bhp), the biggest boot (518 L). Pick the Renault Duster as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. 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 Tekton, Duster, Kushaq?
The Nissan Tekton starts lowest at ₹10.49 Lakh, against ₹10.49 Lakh for the Duster and ₹10.50 Lakh for the Kushaq (ex-showroom, August 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Nissan Tekton: 5 stars; Renault Duster: 5 stars; Skoda Kushaq: 5 stars.