MG Astor vs Hyundai Creta vs Skoda Kushaq: Turbo Petrol Automatics Compared

Sure, the Hyundai Creta has been the top dog in the compact SUV segment for a while, and even in its latest iteration, but the competition is hotting up. It now has the likes of the Skoda Kushaq and MG’s newest kid on the block, the Astor, nipping at its heels. 

What’s common between the three SUVs is that they can be specced with a turbo-petrol engine and an automatic gearbox. So, which one of them takes top honors when it comes to performance and efficiency? We brought out our trusty VBOX and decided to have some fun with all three SUVs. 

Spec Check

 

On paper at least, there’s not much to separate the three SUVs, with the Astor and Creta putting out identical power at 140PS. That being said, the Kushaq has 10PS more, at 150PS. It is also the torquiest of the lot with 250Nm, with the Astor offering the least amount of torque. While the Creta and Kushaq get a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Astor has a 6-speed torque converter to play with. Do these minute differences on paper translate to the real world? Let's find out.

Performance Runs

Despite the Skoda Kushaq being tested in sub-optimal conditions, it still manages to come out as the quickest accelerating SUV of the three from standstill to 100kmph and in the kickdown test. But it only slightly edges out the Hyundai Creta. The Astor’s lower torque and the torque converter gearbox does show its weakness in the performance runs, being the slowest of the three by a margin.

Fuel Economy

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It's a tale of two halves between the Skoda Kushaq and Hyundai Creta. While the former gains the edge in the city, returning 12.72kmpl, the latter comes out on top in the highway, returning 17.12kmpl. The Astor continues to be at the bottom of the rankings in fuel efficiency as well.

Price

Taking everything into consideration, the MG Astor is the most affordable offering, but it comes at a cost of performance as well as fuel efficiency. The Kushaq is the ideal pick for performance and frugality in the city, but you’ll have to shell out the most of the three SUVs.  The Creta is a decent middleground, and can offer decent frugality on the highway.