Skoda Kodiaq

A Class Apart

If you go by price lists and spec sheets, the Skoda Kodiaq has a handful of rivals. But in reality it is a very unique offering, and doesn’t really have a comparable model in the market. It isn’t a huge rugged go-anywhere SUV like the Toyota Fortuner, but instead it is a more road friendly premium SUV that is aimed at pulling buyers from other segments, like the full size sedan segment, and the premium compact SUV segment. And the Skoda Kodiaq packs in almost everything that buyers from either segment would need, and then adds a healthy dose of volume to it. Does that make the Kodiaq a straightforward choice? Read on to find out.

Skoda Kodiaq Pros and Cons 

Skoda Kodiaq Exterior Design 

The Skoda Kodiaq doesn’t compromise on looks. The sheer volume of the SUV is evident, but the size is managed beautifully and it doesn’t look bulky from any angle. The front of the car looks imposing, thanks to the large chrome-cladded grille and the flanking LED headlamps, which get ‘eyelash’ patterned DRL inserts. The fog lights also sit right below the headlights, and the air-dam placed lower in the bumper extends throughout the width of the car. The sides continue to deliver on the large premium SUV look with big 18 inch alloy wheels and a chrome strip that goes around the window frame. The intricately designed full-LED tail lights, the plethora of sharp creases, and chrome inserts complete the sophisticated and elegant look of the Kodiaq.

Skoda Kodiaq Interiors

The elegance continues on the inside with an intricately designed interior. The sleek two-spoke steering wheel is the same as other Skoda cars on sale in India, but it sits on a dashboard that’s unique to the model. The dash is finished in a beautiful combination of piano black and beige, and a large portion is covered with soft touch materials. The trapezoidal air-vents, the gear lever, and controls for the infotainment screen and air-conditioning all get chrome inserts. The overall look is very upmarket and classy, but it isn’t groundbreaking.

The two-tone interiors add to the sense of space. The large glass area — thanks to the panoramic sunroof — also adds to this cause. The front and middle row get a generous amount of space, but the third row is cramped and suited for kids. Fold the third row down though, and you will be treated with a generous 630 litres of boot space. Fold the middle row down as well, and the 2,005 litres of storage should be enough to move houses if need be. In fact, boot space even with all rows up is a respectable 270 litres, which should be enough to fit a couple of soft bags.

Skoda Kodiaq Comfort

The Skoda Kodiaq’s seats get ample cushioning and support, making it a wonderful car for long road trips. Both front seats are heated as well as ventilated, and the electrical adjustability is coupled with a memory function for both seats. Middle row seats can also be reclined and slid back, so finding a comfortable position is easy. There’s sufficient knee room, legroom, as well as headroom in the middle row. Under thigh support is also good, and the wide cabin allows for a third passenger in the middle row to be relatively comfortable. The individual climate control and retractable sunshades for both rear windows are a blessing on sunny afternoon drives. Another nifty addition is retractable extensions to the headrests. The extensions can be folded down and will hold your head in place while on the move if you want to take a nap.

The Skoda Kodiaq has a trick up its sleeve with its suspension. The 4x4 SUV gets adaptive dampers — dubbed as DCC or Dynamic Chassis Control — so when you choose to drive in comfort, you can dial all the settings to their softest. The ride quality of the Kodiaq is great, and it glides over most undulations on our roads with ease. The Kodiaq deals with broken roads well, and thanks to its 4x4 capabilities and high ground clearance, it can also handle some light off-road trails.

Skoda Kodiaq Performance and handling

The Skoda Kodiaq is powered by a familiar 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine that has powered other VW group cars in the past, like the Superb and Audi Q2. It scores great on refinement, as you’d expect from a premium SUV. But it is when you put your foot down that the engine really shows what it is capable of. It puts out 188 bhp and 320 Nm, and the power delivery is linear and strong. The engine is also rev-happy, and greets you with an ear-pleasing engine note at high RPMs. However, as is the case with most turbocharged engines, you will have to drive with a light foot to get decent fuel economy. The engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission, which shifts quickly, and also has a coast function. This engages neutral whenever you are off-throttle, and aids fuel efficiency. The DSG gearbox though, isn’t as smooth as a torque converter automatic would’ve been, but the lightning fast shifts make up for it.

Thanks to the Dynamic Chassis Control — or adjustable dampers — the Skoda Kodiaq can be tuned to have better dynamics on cue. Once you engage sports mode, the suspension stiffens up nicely, and gives the Kodiaq that extra sprinkle of agility around corners, keeping body roll in check. This is no corner rocket though, thanks to its dimensions, but it does a good enough job. It also has respectable ground clearance of 192 mm and a 4x4 drivetrain, and can handle mild off-road trails pretty well.

Skoda Kodiaq Key specifications 

Skoda Kodiaq Safety Features

Skoda has loaded the Kodiaq with all the safety features that you’d come to expect from a car of its class. Yes, ADAS is missing, but you do get all other bits like nine airbags, traction control system, ABS, multi-collision brake, roll-over protection, motor slip regulation, and an electronic differential locking system. Apart from that, the Kodiaq is also equipped with connected car tech, which enables safety features like vehicle tracking, geofencing, tow alert, device tampering alert, and more.

Skoda Kodiaq Technology and Infotainment

The Kodiaq is loaded to the gills when it comes to tech. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment is on the smaller side, especially considering that its smaller sibling — the Kushaq — gets a 10 inch unit. But the system gets built in satellite navigation, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The infotainment is paired with a 625W 12-speaker and subwoofer Canton sound system. Behind the steering wheel is a large 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster, which looks great and offers a ton of information. The Kodiaq is also equipped with features like a wireless phone charger, voice commands, USB-C ports, headlight washers, an electrical boot lid, and more. Connected car tech is also standard across variants. 

Is the Skoda Kodiaq for you?

The Skoda Kodiaq isn’t designed to be a rugged SUV like other vehicles in its class, but rather it's a sophisticated and elegant offering, which doesn’t correlate size with off-road abilities. What it offers is the practicality of a large 3-row SUV, as well as the luxury of a premium compact SUV or even a full size sedan. And when you take that into consideration, its pricing suddenly doesn’t sound excessive. For someone looking to add a premium 7-seater SUV to their garage, which can be a luxurious vehicle to drive to business meetings, to taking a party of seven on a road trip, the Skoda Kodiaq is a great choice.