Mid-Size SUV Comparison: Creta, Seltos, Kushaq, & Taigun Compared

Sports Utility Vehicles, or SUVs as we know them, have become all the craze now. In the past, vehicles like Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Bolero, and Tata Sumo, had their own charm and road presence. But the game has all changed today and gone are the days when SUVs were meant only for rural or security personnel use, SUVs today come in various shapes and sizes suited to everyone’s liking. Modern SUVs offer style, substance, performance and varied features all in one package. They’re fun to drive, offer loads of comfort and have an imposing presence which makes them more attractive to potential car buyers.

So, which one to buy? In this article we compare four modern mid-size SUVs – Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun and make it easier for you to decide. Make no mistake all these SUVs have their own USPs and features to offer and are a complete package in their own capacity.Whether it is the glamour quotient of the Seltos, the reliability of the Creta, the presence of newly launched Kushaq or the sturdiness of the Taigun, all have their own unique personalities to offer. So, without much ado let the comparison begin.

Dimensions, Boot and Seating

The mid-size SUV segment is the natural upgrade path for those coming from sedans and compact SUVs. Mid-size SUVs offer more space and even more road presence with their larger size. So, which of these SUVs would be perfect if you’re looking for space for your family?

The above comparison table makes it clear that the Kia Seltos takes the first place when it comes to length, width and height, however, marginally behind is the Hyundai Creta which more or less has almost the same dimensions as the Kia Seltos. Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun on the other hand have a tie in the third with both having the same dimensions.

Looking for a big, handsome SUV? Go for either the Seltos or the Creta and you won’t be disappointed.

Engine and performance

An engine is the heart of any vehicle and that is where the performance comes from. When it comes to SUVs, a powerful engine with an equally smooth delivery is a must. Powering an SUV is a different ball game altogether as the vehicle should perform even when road conditions are unfavourable. The other most important aspect that comes into play is mileage, no matter how you play it, the Indian market’s obsession with fuel consumption is not going anywhere, and mind you this is also the game where most cars fail to deliver.

In this section we would be comparing both the petrol and diesel engines and performances of Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun.

Petrol Engine

The newly launched Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are cousins and share their engines. Mileage numbers for the two of them are yet to come in, but their power figures are impressive which means that these two will be dominating roads and eating miles quickly. With both a traditional automatic and DSG transmissions both the Kushaq and the Taigun aim to please the buyers with refined and smooth drives.

On the other hand, Korean carmakers Kia and Hyundai also share their platforms which is why the Seltos and Creta have similar numbers when it comes to power, torque and mileage. However, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta are two different vehicles and personalities. The turbo versions of both vehicles give you power at command and should be your choice if you are frequent on the highways. Hyundai Creta has an edge when it comes to mileage, with a consumption of 16.8 kmpl for both turbo and NA engines it surely becomes the go to SUV.

If you have daily city commutes or weekend long drives both the Seltos and the Creta should be on your list, but if you look forward to a little bit of adventure then the Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun are your machines.

Diesel Engine

Diesel engines give their worth in the long run, so if you frequent 100+ kms in a day or long drives everyday is your thing then diesel engines are what you should explore. As mentioned earlier, both the Seltos and Creta share the same underpinnings that includes the engine as well, there is no difference between the two. Both the Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun don’t have diesel engines.

Interior Features & Comfort

Interiors is where it all changes for the four SUVs and they are siblings no more, just opponents trying to be the car in your garage. Interior features are the deciding factor when it comes to us choosing a car. Comfortable seats, ample legroom, sophisticated designs, eye catching colors, technology that is near you all the time and a lot other features are what make the interiors have the main say in car selection. So, let’s compare what the four SUVs have to offer.

The Skoda Kushaq and the VW Taigun stand out due to wireless connectivity of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto making it easier for you to connect your phone and use the infotainment display. However, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta also do not lag far behind, the Hyundai Creta with its panoramic sunroof is a class apart.

Safety Features

Safety is the most important aspect of driving and although it came late, making airbags mandatory in cars is a move that has been welcomed by many. However, those are not the only safety features, minor devices like sensors, seat belt reminders are also safety features that help avoid major disasters. So what safety features do the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun have? Let’s have a look.

Competitiveness at its best. The Kia Seltos scores an average three-star safety rating, which pushes it a bit back in the safety race. The Hyundai Creta however, takes the lead in this comparison test with a 4 star safety rating under its hood. The ASEAN NCAP safety rating of Kushaq and Taigun are awaited, but with a wealth of safety features they would get a good rating.

Pricing

The last but the most important characteristic which leads the potential buyer to actually buy a car is its price. Priced competitively the 4 SUVs are feature rich contenders. A comparison of their prices.

The prices of Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun are yet to come in, the differences in prices and range is due to the diesel variant available with the Seltos and the Creta. TheTaigun and Kushaq won’t be having the diesel variant hence the prices are thought to be a bit on the lower side.

We would suggest you go for the mid level Hyundai Creta that falls in the price range of ₹12.05 – ₹14.79 lakhs. With many features, a good safety rating and the reliability of Hyundai Creta scores the most in our comparison test. Alternatively you can weigh your options on the top-level Kia Seltos as well.

FAQs about Mid-Size SUV

Which mid-size SUV is the best?

To single out one SUV from the above four would do injustice to all. However, through our comparisons the Hyundai Creta has been the SUV that has scored consistently on every parameter.

When will the prices for Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun come?

The Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun have been both recently launched. However, pricing for both these premium SUVs is yet to be announced.

Which is the best mid-size SUV with a sunroof?

All the SUVs featured in the article come with a sunroof. However, the Hyundai Creta with a panoramic sunroof is the SUV which stands out in this comparison.

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