Volkswagen Taigun vs Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta vs Kia Seltos: Specifications Comparison

Volkswagen India recently launched the all-new Taigun compact SUV in India, priced at Rs. 10.50 lakh to Rs. 17.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). With the launch of the Taigun, Volkswagen has finally entered the very lucrative and highly competitive compact SUV space. This means, it has to compete with segment leaders like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, in addition to its Czech cousin, the Skoda Kushaq, which itself is fairly new to the market. While we'll soon put them to test in real-world conditions, for now, let's look at all the facts and figures to see where does the new Taigun stand against its rivals on paper.

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The all-new Volkswagen Taigun compact SUV is priced in India at Rs. 10.50 lakh to Rs. 17.50 lakh

Design and Dimensions

The Volkswagen Taigun is certainly a looker and there's no denying that. However, looks are subjective, and all SUVs that are part of this comparison come with the conventional SUV design with bold lines and an aggressive stance. So, we'll let you decide as to which one is the better-looking SUV. On the other hand, the dimensions chart will give us a better measure of comparison. Now considering both the Taigun and Kushaq are the same SUVs under the skin, their dimensions are identical, and both are the smallest in this class, in terms of proportions.

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The dimensions of both the Taigun and Kushaq are identical, and they are smallest in terms of overall proportions

The Kia Seltos is the longest, widest and tallest among these four SUVs, while the Creta is just marginally smaller than its cousin

However, both offer the longest wheelbase. The Seltos is the longest, widest and tallest among these four SUVs, and the Creta is just marginally smaller than its cousin. Both the Korean SUVs also get marginally higher ground clearance at 190 mm compared to their German/Czech rival duos.

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Engine Specifications

Considering the Volkswagen Taigun, and the Skoda Kushaq are both petrol only SUVs, for this comparison, we'll only consider the petrol engines of the Creta and Seltos. It's interesting because like the Taigun and Kushaq that get the same set of 1.0-litre TSI and 1.5-litre TSI engines, the Creta and Seltos, which also share their platform and engines, and both come with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated motor and a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. The Taigun and Kushaq also get the same transmission choices - a 6-speed manual for both, along with an optional 6-speed AT for the 1.0-litre version and an optional 7-speed DSG automatic for the more powerful 1.5-litre model.

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Both the Creta and the Seltos come with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated motor and a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine

The Creta's 1.5-litre petrol is offered with either a 6-speed manual or an Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT), while the 1.4 turbo petrol gets a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) as standard. However, Kia offers the Seltos 1.5 with a 6-speed manual, 6-speed Intelligent manual transmission (iMT), and the iVT unit. Whereas the Seltos 1.4 turbo petrol comes with the option of both, a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DCT. Now, purely in terms of performance, it's the Taigun and Kushaq's 1.5 TSI motor that takes the lead churning out 148 bhp, and couple that with the optional DSG automatic and we can assure you there will be no shortage of fun. And if driving performance is your most important criteria, that's the combination you need to go for.

The Taigun is the only SUV among these four that comes with a fully digital instrument cluster.

Features

With regards to features, all four SUVs are pretty well equipped, and we can't really pinpoint and say this one is bad. However, we can definitely say that some are better than others. Now, even the base variants of these SUVs get some pretty decent features, but for this comparison, we are considering the top-end trims. So, all four SUVs get features like - full LED lightings (headlights, DRLs, taillights), electric operable ORVMs, and sporty 17-inch alloy wheels, in fact, the new Seltos X Line trim gets 18-inch wheels.

The Kia Seltos' cabin feels more premium and inviting. The layout is neater and it gets that classic European feel inside

As for the cabin, the SUVs come with touchscreen infotainment systems, with connected technology, wireless charging, ventilated seats, and electric sunroofs. However, both the Creta and Seltos get panoramic sunroofs, along with fully connected car technologies with AI-based voice command functions. Also, both Korean SUVs come with air purifiers and a power-adjustable driver seat as well giving them an upper hand over the Taigun. All that said, the Taigun is the only SUV among these four that comes with a fully digital instrument cluster.

Both the Creta and Seltos get panoramic sunroofs, along with fully connected car technologies with AI-based voice command functions

In terms of safety, the top-spec variants of all four SUVs come with at least 6 airbags, ABS with ABD, electronic stability control, rear parking sensors with rear parking camera and more. However, so far none of them have received a crash test rating from Global NCAP so, on paper, we have to say that all four SUVs are pretty much at par with each other with regards to safety.

In terms of safety, all four SUVs come with at least 6 airbags, ABS with ABD, ESC, rear parking sensors with rear parking camera and more

Price and Conclusion

With regards to pricing as well, we are only considering the price of the petrol variants of all four SUVs. The Taigun and Kushaq are similarly priced, however, some variants of the former even undercut the Kushaq by a small margin. But, when we look at the pricing of the Creta or the Seltos, the entry-level trims of both Korean SUVs are noticeably cheaper, but as you go up the variant list, the higher variants become considerably more expensive than the Taigun. However, because both the Seltos and the Creta have better features on offer, the premium is justified.

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Having said that, the features that the Taigun misses out on aren't really deal-breakers in our books. So, if you want a well-built, relatively feature-rich SUV with great driving dynamics, the Taigun certainty makes a strong case for itself, even better than the Kushaq. But if you can compromise a tad bit on performance, for better creature comforts, then the Seltos or the Creta might suit your needs better. However, we would urge you to wait for our real-world comparison review before you make that purchase decision. So, keep watching this space.