On the outside
This SUV, which will become Skoda’s new flagship, will be positioned just above the Superb sedan in the carmaker’s India line-up. This car is not small, but looks more compact than it is in the flesh, despite this, it has got loads of SUV street presence. A lot of the design elements are striking - there’s the sharp ‘Czech crystal’ headlamps and tail-lamps, with the fog lamps getting their own angular pods below. The Kodiaq comes fitted with 18-inch wheels that look just about the right size for this SUV. The car’s narrow width and low height, relative to the immense length, have helped it look more SUV-like than MPV-like. On the front, the company’s ‘butterfly’ grille looks bolder than ever. Surely, this car may not be as big as a Fortuner or an Endeavour, but it makes up for with contemporary styling.
On the inside
The interior is familiar – you will know instantly that this car is a Skoda. You get the standard Skoda dials, steering wheel, stalks, window switches and air con controls, and the same beige and dark grey colour scheme is used around the cabin, just like on other Skodas. The middle row offers separate climate zone, and these 40:20:40 split seats fold down and can be slid back and forth by as much as 180mm. They don’t tumble forward, and you cannot remove them like you could in the Yeti. At the rear, it’s a bit cramped, but by pushing the middle row halfway forward, this car could carry seven medium-sized adults over a short drive.
The seats themselves are a touch firm, though they’re far from uncomfortable. The front seats, with their wide range of adjustments, will hold you well. You get a good view out front thanks to the low dashboard, even when you’re seated at the lowest setting. The thick D-pillars means that the view out the back isn’t as great. At 270 litres with all rows up, 630 litres with the last row folded, and a massive 2,005 litres with the second row down, the boot is quite impressive. There’s a super-narrow space saver that’s neatly positioned lower in the floor of the boot area.
As far as equipment is concerned, this car comes loaded with tech. The 8.0-inch touchscreen, which also does duty in the New Octavia, comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even an impressive proprietary navigation system. The 10-colour ambient lighting system is a neat touch, then there’s the nice-sounding 12-speaker Canton stereo, and there are a number of graphics that show you how economically you’ve been driving as well. What’s also sure to impress is the massive panoramic sunroof. Both front seats are powered with a memory function and this car also comes with hands-free parking assist and a drowsiness sensor. There are some clever little additions to the car as well - like a little dustbin in the door pocket, plastic ‘bumpers’ that pop out and protect the door edges when you open them, and a magnetised flashlight you can stick on the car while you change a tyre.
Under the hood
Under the hood sits Skoda’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI motor in India. This engine makes 143hp in the Octavia and 177hp in the Superb, and now in the Kodiaq it makes 150hp and 340Nm. This motor is decently refined and the car feels very responsive at low to medium speeds. There is a good amount of visibility, and coupled with this car’s light, responsive steering, and AWD, makes this car feel exactly like the Superb from behind the wheel. The car feels a bit strained at high speeds, but stability you get on the highway is just exquisite. This car handles bumps really well and only the really rough ones make it through. This car feels almost sedan-like to drive.
Should I buy one?
The Kodiaq doesn’t feel like an SUV, in fact, it feels like a big premium car that you can take your whole family along in. If Skoda manages to price it competitively, it will then be the complete Skoda package – space, luxury, equipment, versatility and good value.
