Skoda Kushaq vs. Hyundai Creta: Which Mid-Size SUV Wins for Saudi Buyers?

Saudi Arabia: The two mid-size SUVs, Skoda Kushaq and Hyundai Creta, offer very different approaches from two distinct brands, each promising real value for money. The Hyundai Creta has been around in Saudi Arabia long enough to be familiar. Most buyers know it, and it has been seen around cities and towns. The Skoda Kushaq, on the other hand, only entered the Saudi market in late 2025, and so it is a brand-new automaker in our market. That alone changes how you should think about this comparison.

But here is what you should know right away. The Creta is the safer, more established choice for most Saudi buyers, which is quite understandable for anyone in the market right now when buyers are choosing more and more SUVs over sedans. The Kushaq is more interesting for prospective buyers who actually care about how a car feels to drive, something European brands are always known for. Which one is right for you depends on what keeps you up at night: finding a service center or enjoying the morning commute. To help you discover that answer, we took a deep dive on these two SUVs to help you pick the right one. 

Mid-size SUVs promise 

These two cars approach the same goal, a practical family SUV for Saudi roads, from different directions.

The Creta is a volume product. Hyundai built it to sell in large numbers across the Middle East and Asia. It is comfortable, feature-packed, and familiar. Nothing about it will surprise you, and that is exactly why many buyers want and trust the Korean brand.

The Kushaq is built on Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0-IN platform, shared with models like the VW Taigun. It drives more like a European car than a Korean one. The steering has weight, and the body roll is well controlled in corners. If you have driven a Volkswagen or Skoda before, the Kushaq will feel immediately recognizable.

The Creta’s USP is comfort and convenience. The Kushaq’s USP is its driving feel and European character at a competitive price. Both are genuine products, but they are not the same SUV in personality.

The Kushaq Ambition at SAR 78,199 undercuts the Creta’s starting price by a meaningful margin. And it comes with a sunroof, wireless charging, ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking as standard. That is a strong value on paper.

Dimensions

Spec	Skoda Kushaq	Hyundai Creta
Length	4,221 mm	4,315 mm
Width	1,760 mm	1,790 mm
Height	1,612 mm	1,635 mm
Wheelbase	2,651 mm	2,610 mm
Ground Clearance	188 mm	190 mm
Boot Space	385 L	480 L
Seating	5	5

The Creta is longer and wider, which shows in rear-seat comfort. Three adults in the back of a Creta is manageable. Three passengers in the back of a Kushaq have less space. Although the Kushaq has a slightly longer wheelbase relative to its length, which helps rear legroom somewhat, the Creta still scores higher for overall cabin space.

Boot space is not close. The Creta’s 480 liters versus the Kushaq’s 385 liters is a real difference, especially if you are doing weekly grocery runs or heading out of town with luggage. Ground clearance is nearly identical, meaning both can handle Saudi speed bumps and occasional rough patches without drama.

Exterior Design

The Creta's current generation has a confident, modern look. The split headlight design divides opinion; some people love it, others think it's too busy. But on the road, it has presence and appears like an SUV that means business.

The Kushaq's design is cleaner and more restrained and rather true to its European origin. The straight lines, chrome grille, and simple proportions are very Skoda, if you know the brand, which means very European. It doesn't shout for attention, but it looks composed and well-built. In a market full of flashy designs, there's something genuinely refreshing about that.

Both cars come with LED DRLs and alloy wheels. The Monte Carlo adds a sportier appearance with specific trim details. The Creta offers more colour options, 12 versus the Kushaq's 4. That matters to buyers who want their SUV to stand out.

Powertrain

Spec	Skoda Kushaq	Hyundai Creta
Engine	1.0L TSI (turbo)	1.5L NA / 1.5L Turbo
Power	114 hp	113 hp (NA) / 157 hp (Turbo)
Torque	178 Nm	144 Nm (NA) / 253 Nm (Turbo)
Transmission	6-speed auto / DSG	CVT / 7-speed DCT
Top Speed	186 km/h	170 km/h
Drive	FWD	FWD

This is where it gets interesting. The Kushaq's 1.0L turbo produces only 114 hp but 178 Nm of torque and that torque arrives low in the rev range, which makes it feel responsive in city traffic. It doesn't feel like a small engine. And the mild hybrid system in certain variants adds a small but real efficiency benefit.

The Creta's base 1.5L naturally aspirated engine is slower and produces less torque. The 1.5L turbo on higher Creta trims is genuinely quicker and more capable, but it's only available on upper variants, pushing the price up.

Interior and Features

Feature	Skoda Kushaq	Hyundai Creta
Infotainment Screen	10-inch touchscreen	10.25-inch touchscreen
Digital Cluster	Yes	Yes (10.25-inch)
Sunroof	Yes (all variants)	Yes (higher variants)
Ventilated Seats	Yes	Yes (higher var iants)
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes
Rear AC Vents	Yes	Yes
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto	Yes (wireless)	Yes
BOSE Audio	No	Yes (Ultimate)
360 Camera	Yes (around-view)	Yes (higher variants)

Both interiors are well-equipped, but the Kushaq punches above its price on features. You get ventilated seats, wireless charging, and an around-view monitor even in lower variants. The Creta saves its better equipment for upper trims.

The Creta's interior has a more premium feel. The materials are slightly softer, and the fit and finish are more polished. The Kushaq feels solid and well put together but more functional than plush. Think of the difference between a Korean café and a German one; both are good, just different in character.

The Creta also offers a BOSE sound system on the top variant, which the Kushaq does not match. For buyers who care about in-car audio quality, that can be a deciding factor.

Safety Features

Feature	Skoda Kushaq	Hyundai Creta
Airbags	6 (front, side, curtain)	6 (front, side, curtain)
ABS + EBD	Yes	Yes
Automatic Emergency Braking	Yes	Yes
Lane Keep Assist	Yes	Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control	Yes	Yes
Blind Spot Detection	Yes	Yes
Around-View Monitor	Yes	Yes
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert	Yes	Yes
ISOFIX	Yes	Yes

The Kushaq's safety spec is impressive for its price. Most of these features come standard across variants. With the Creta, you have to spend more to get the full safety suite. That's a real difference when you're comparing base-to-base prices.

The Verdict

This comparison does not end in a perfect tie, simply because the two SUVs serve different buyers with clear strengths and key characteristics. The Hyundai Creta scores well on brand familiarity, boot space, rear seat comfort, cabin quality, and the BOSE audio on the top trim. It has more dealer locations across the Kingdom, and in Saudi Arabia, that still matters. You know what you're getting. And everyone else on the road knows it too.

The Skoda Kushaq gives you the superior driving feel, standard safety equipment, turbo torque, and honest value for money. The Ambition at SAR 78,199 with its full feature list is genuinely difficult to argue with on paper. But Skoda has only three showrooms in KSA right now since the Debute in Saudi Arabia In Partnership with SAMACO: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. That is because it has just arrived in KSA. If you are in Dammam or Medina or anywhere else, that's a real consideration.

So what you do is, if you drive a lot, care how the car responds, and live near a Skoda dealer, try the Kushaq before you dismiss it. It might surprise you. But if you want the comfortable, well-known, easy-to-own choice that you'll never lose sleep over, the Creta has been earning that trust for years.

Also Read: Skoda Octavia: The European Sedan Challenging the Camry in KSA