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2026 Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq Facelift Spec Comparison: What’s Different?

The 2026 Renault Duster and Skoda Kushaq Facelift cater to the mid-size SUV market but differ significantly in design, interior, and features. The Duster showcases India-specific updates, including new LED lighting and a driver-centric cabin with advanced tech options. In contrast, the Kushaq facelift features subtle exterior revisions and a refined interior with a matte finish. Powertrain options vary, with Duster offering a strong hybrid and multiple turbo-petrol engines, while Kushaq focuses on two turbo-petrol engines. Both prioritize safety with advanced features.

Keshav Rajput

Updated Jan 30, 2026, 08:18 AM IST

2026 Renault Duster vs Skoda Kushaq Facelift Spec Comparison: What’s Different?

The 2026 Renault Duster and the Skoda Kushaq Facelift are positioned in the mid-size SUV segment but take different approaches in terms of design, interior layout, powertrain options, features and safety equipment. Below is a specification-based comparison highlighting the key differences.

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How does the powertrain of the 2026 Renault Duster compare to that of the Kia Seltos Facelift?

The 2026 Renault Duster offers three powertrain options: a 1.0L turbo-petrol engine (99bhp), a 1.3L turbo-petrol engine (160bhp), and a strong hybrid E-Tech 160 setup with a 1.8L petrol engine (160bhp). In contrast, the Kia Seltos Facelift retains its engine lineup, including a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine (113.4bhp), a 1.5L turbo-petrol engine (157.8bhp), and a 1.5L diesel engine (114.4bhp). The Duster focuses more on hybrid technology, while the Seltos offers a wider range of engine options.

What are the key safety features in the Skoda Kushaq Facelift compared to the Renault Duster?

The Skoda Kushaq Facelift includes multiple airbags, electronic stability control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system, with availability varying by variant. It is expected to introduce Level 2 ADAS features, enhancing safety. In comparison, the Renault Duster comes standard with six airbags, a 360-degree camera, and Level 2 ADAS with 17 functions, aiming for a 5-star crash safety rating. The Duster thus offers a more comprehensive safety suite as standard.

What interior technology advancements can we expect in the Skoda Kushaq Facelift?

The Skoda Kushaq Facelift is expected to introduce a new 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and features like a panoramic sunroof and rear seat massage functionality. Additionally, the facelift will offer enhanced connectivity options, including Google Gemini integration within the infotainment system, providing a more modern and user-friendly experience compared to the older model.

How does the design of the 2026 Renault Duster differ from its predecessor?

The 2026 Renault Duster adopts a more assertive design compared to its predecessor. It features a wider grille, sharper headlamps with Y-shaped LED DRLs, and a sculpted bumper. Additionally, the new model includes larger 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and a more contemporary rear design with inverted Y-shaped LED tail lamps, marking a significant evolution in styling from the earlier, more utilitarian design.

What are the expected pricing ranges for the Skoda Kushaq Facelift and how does it compare with competitors?

The Skoda Kushaq Facelift is expected to be priced between Rs 10.49 lakh and Rs 18.99 lakh. This positions it competitively against rivals like the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. The pricing strategy will be crucial as the compact SUV segment becomes increasingly competitive with the introduction of new models, making value-for-money a significant consideration for buyers.

Exterior Design

The 2026 Renault Duster retains its familiar silhouette while introducing India-specific updates. It features redesigned LED headlamps with eyebrow-style DRLs that also function as turn indicators, a revised grille with Duster branding and a silver-finished bumper surround. The side profile includes black body cladding, C-pillar-mounted rear door handles, functional roof rails rated at 50kg and alloy wheels up to 18 inches. India-exclusive elements include Himalayan motifs on the front fenders and a yellow insert on the body cladding. At the rear, the SUV gets connected triangular LED tail-lamps, a roof-mounted spoiler and a silver-accented bumper.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift focuses on detail changes. It receives a revised grille with more upright proportions and chrome-finished vertical slats. The LED headlamps remain but now feature redesigned DRLs connected by a light strip. The front bumper has new side vents for fog lamps and revised lower cladding with a silver skid plate element. The side profile remains largely unchanged apart from new alloy wheel designs. At the rear, updated tail-lamps are connected by a light element with an illuminated Skoda wordmark, along with a redesigned bumper.

Interior Layout and Cabin Updates

Inside the Renault Duster, the cabin follows a driver-focused layout with a raised centre console and an electronic gear selector. The dashboard and door panels use leatherette upholstery with carbon-style accents. Higher variants offer a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an air quality display with PM2.5 filtration, an electric parking brake with auto-hold and a powered tailgate.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift retains its existing dashboard layout but replaces gloss black panels with matte-finish surfaces across the dashboard and centre console. The cabin colour scheme shifts to a black and beige combination. The two-spoke steering wheel and overall layout are carried over from the previous model.

Powertrain and Transmission Options

The 2026 Renault Duster is offered with three powertrain options:

A 1.0L, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 99bhp and 160Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox.
A 1.3L, four-cylinder turbo-petrol direct-injection engine delivering 160bhp and 280Nm of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.
An E-Tech 160 strong hybrid setup using a 1.8L petrol engine with two electric motors, producing a combined 160bhp and 172Nm of torque.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift continues with two turbo-petrol engines:

A 1.0L TSI engine producing 114bhp and 178Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a new eight-speed torque converter automatic.
A 1.5L TSI engine producing 147.5bhp and 250Nm of torque, available with either an eight-speed torque converter automatic or a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Features and Technology

The Renault Duster is equipped with a 10.1-inch OpenR Link touchscreen infotainment system with Google built-in, including Google Maps, Google Assistant and Play Store access. It also offers a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with map replication, over 60 connected car features, multi-sense drive modes, wireless smartphone charging, an Arkamys audio system, ambient lighting, electric and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers and hands-free access with push-button start.

In the Skoda Kushaq facelift, standard equipment now includes LED headlamps and tail-lamps, automatic headlamps and wipers, a sunroof, rear wiper and defogger, auto-dimming inside rear-view mirror, automatic climate control and alloy wheels. Mid-spec variants add an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, tyre pressure monitoring system, keyless entry with push-button start, cruise control, wireless phone charging and a cooled glovebox.

Top variants offer a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, rear seat massage function, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated and powered front seats, front parking sensors and an AI-based voice assistant.

Safety Features

Safety features on the 2026 Renault Duster include six airbags as standard, disc brakes on all four wheels, a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system and Level 2 ADAS with 17 functions. This makes it the first Renault model in India to offer ADAS, with a targeted 5-star crash safety rating.

The Skoda Kushaq facelift offers safety features such as multiple airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors and electronic stability control, with feature availability varying by variant.

Also Read

2026 Renault Duster India Debut: 5 Things You Must Know

2026 Renault Duster vs Old: Here’s Everything That’s Changed

2026 Renault Duster vs Kia Seltos Facelift Spec Comparison: What’s Different?

2026 Renault Duster vs Hyundai Creta Spec Comparison: What’s Different?

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