Skoda Kushaq vs Honda Elevate: Comparing Their Variants Priced Rs 16-17 Lakh for Safety-conscious Car Buyers

For a safety-conscious buyer, it is important to consider the safest cars, or top safety-rated cars in India, when purchasing a vehicle. Today, we look at the Skoda Kushaq and Honda Elevate in terms of their safety aspects.

In this article, we will share

• What a safety-conscious buyer looks for in a car
• Skoda Kushaq vs Honda Elevate – an in-depth look at their safety features, ratings, and driver assistance features
• How to pick the right car for you

Can these models be considered the best cars with safety features in India? How have they fared in crash tests, and how is their structural integrity? What features do they have to ensure driver, passenger and child safety? Read on.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

What a Safety-Conscious Buyer Looks for in a Car

Here’s what a safety-conscious buyer should look for in a car:

• Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
• Driver assistance – Does the car have features like parking camera, rear parking sensors, follow-me-home headlights, etc.
• Space – Does the car have enough interior space?

A safety conscious buyer prioritizes safety features while purchasing a car. They look for cars with high safety ratings, multiple airbags, ABS, ESC, traction control, and other advanced driver assistance systems. Good structural rigidity, high ground clearance, and responsive handling are also important.

Why Honda Elevate and Skoda Kushaq are popular

The Honda Elevate and Skoda Kushaq both offer a good set of safety features that appeal to safety conscious buyers.

Both cars have scored a 5-star safety rating in crash tests indicating high structural safety. They come equipped with 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, traction control, rear parking sensors and auto dimming IRVMs. 

The high ground clearance of 188mm in Kushaq and 220mm in Elevate gives good visibility and ability to handle bad roads. The responsive steering and handling boost driver confidence. 

Features like lane keep assist, auto headlamps, follow me home headlights aid driving at night. The Honda Elevate additionally offers a multi-angle rear camera for better visibility while parking.

Honda Elevate and Skoda Kushaq variants shortlist in Rs 16-17 lakh range

For Skoda Kushaq, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 13 November 2023
1.0 TSI Style	₹16,11,000
1.0 TSI Matte Edition	₹16,19,000

For Honda Elevate, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 13 November 2023
ZX CVT	₹16,00,000

Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style

The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style offers a good balance of safety, performance and value. It has 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, auto headlamps, rear parking sensors and an auto dimming IRVM. The turbocharged petrol engine offers peppy performance while maintaining stability at high speeds. Ventilated front seats enhance comfort on long drives. 

At ₹16.11 lakhs, this variant gives a comprehensive safety package at a competitive price point. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the Kushaq with Skoda Slavia.

Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Matte Edition

The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Matte Edition is similar to the Style variant but adds a modern matte finish and ambient lighting elevating the style quotient. It retains the same safety features but costs slightly more at ₹16.19 lakhs. The matt paint finish can be polarizing for buyers. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the Kushaq with Hyundai Creta.

Honda Elevate ZX CVT

The Honda Elevate ZX CVT priced at ₹16 lakhs offers comparative safety features like 6 airbags, ABS, ESC etc. The addition of a multi-angle rear camera gives better visibility while parking. The petrol CVT combination focuses more on drivability than performance. Overall, a well-balanced package for safety conscious buyers. We have also compared the Elevate with Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder for tech-savvy gadget lovers.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Honda Elevate and Skoda Kushaq for Safety conscious buyers

For a safety conscious buyer, the Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style variant is the best option from the given choices.

Though both the Kushaq and Elevate have scored a 5-star GNCAP rating, the Skoda edges ahead when we analyze the safety features in detail. The Kushaq offers better high speed stability thanks to its lower center of gravity. The turbocharged engine offers stronger acceleration to get out of tricky situations. Traction control gives better grip and control on slippery surfaces.

The Kushaq has daytime running LEDs compared to halogen headlamps in the Elevate, improving visibility. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel in the Kushaq along with height adjustable seat allows drivers of varying heights to find a comfortable driving position easily. This reduces fatigue and improves control.

In terms of airbags, both cars offer 6 airbags but the Kushaq also adds knee and curtain airbags for rear passengers. The Elevate however scores in parking safety with its multi-angle rear camera. But at a lower price point, the Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style offers more safety tech making it the ideal choice for a safety conscious car buyer.

The 3 Variants Ranked in Order of Preference

1. Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style
2. Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Matte Edition
3. Honda Elevate ZX CVT

Attributes	Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style	Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Matte Edition	Honda Elevate ZX CVT
5 Star Safety Rating	Yes	Yes	Yes
6 Airbags	Yes	Yes	Yes
ABS	Yes	Yes	Yes
ESC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes	Yes
High Ground Clearance	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lane Keeping Assist	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Headlamps	Yes	Yes	Yes
Rear Camera	Yes	Yes	Yes
Knee & Curtain Airbags	Yes	Yes	No

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Style is the top choice for a safety conscious buyer due to its comprehensive safety features, high stability and lower price point.
• The Skoda Kushaq 1.0 TSI Matte Edition ranks second, offering the same safety tech as the Style variant albeit at a slightly higher price. Its unique matt paint finish enhances visual appeal.
• The Honda Elevate ZX CVT takes the third spot with its comparable safety package, rear camera and car-like drivability. However, it misses out on some features like knee & curtain airbags for rear passengers.

Overall, the Kushaq and Elevate both deliver a strong safety proposition but the Kushaq takes the lead with better structural safety, driving dynamics and greater value.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered