Skoda was on to a winner with the unique Kodiaq seven-seater SUV.
It hit the Australian market when patrons have been in search of a European three-row mannequin that didn’t break the financial institution. Volkswagen didn’t have a seven-seater on the time, and an Audi Q7 was about double the worth.
Now the Kodiaq has entered its second era, scoring new underpinnings from the Volkswagen Group MQB Evo toolkit, a brand new exterior look that makes it arguably extra palatable than the earlier one, and a few huge inside enhancements, to not point out a expertise overhaul.
CarExpert had an opportunity to pattern the brand new Kodiaq in Germany, and whereas the mannequin pushed wasn’t utterly consultant of what Australia will see, this family-friendly high-rider is a giant enchancment over its glorious predecessor.
How does the Skoda Kodiaq examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Skoda Kodiaq towards equally sized automobiles.
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Kodiaq
How a lot does the Skoda Kodiaq value?
Australian pricing and specs for the new-generation Kodiaq are nonetheless to be confirmed – it arrives domestically round February 2025, so pricing must be launched within the first few weeks of the brand new yr.
Within the meantime Skoda Australia has confirmed it can proceed to supply three grades of the Kodiaq.
The entry-level mannequin will probably be known as the Choose, and we’ve been informed it gained’t stray removed from the prevailing Fashion’s value and positioning regardless of a big bump in normal tools. For reference, the outgoing Kodiaq Fashion is presently $56,490 drive-away.
The Sportline will kind the center floor within the Kodiaq vary, with a sportier look inside and outside, and little doubt a couple of further options. The Sportline mannequin within the outgoing vary just lately had a $5000 value minimize to match the Fashion at $56,490 drive-away.
The range-topping RS mannequin is priced at $76,890 drive-away in outgoing mannequin kind. The most recent tackle the theme hasn’t but been revealed, however a second-generation RS value within the $70,000 vary appears doubtless.
As with the prevailing vary, all fashions offered in Australia will probably be petrol-powered, and can come as normal with seven seats.
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
What’s the Skoda Kodiaq like on the within?
The earlier Kodiaq was nonetheless certainly one of our favourites within the phase, as a result of it really lived as much as what we’ve come to anticipate from Skoda’s ‘Merely Intelligent’ mantra.
The brand new one appears to be like extra particular because of its revised design, larger touchscreen, and new supplies and trims. Fortunately nonetheless the model hasn’t strayed from what labored so properly first time round.
That new 15-inch touchscreen media system is a giant differentiator, at nearly twice the diameter of the final show.
Whereas merchandise from the Volkswagen Group have copped some criticism over software program quirks, the display screen right here is straightforward sufficient to become familiar with – I managed to study a lot of the menus that I wanted inside just some minutes of driving.
A number of that’s right down to Skoda’s new Sensible Dials, which make interacting with a number of the principal controls far easier than having to study your approach by the menus on the show.
The Sensible Dials are configurable, tactile controls with small shows inside that permit you alter sure parts of the automobile. The center dial may be customised to regulate fan pace, airflow, quantity, drive modes, or map zoom. Two different dials sit both aspect of it for local weather management, and also you push the dial in to regulate seat heating and cooling, if geared up.
They’re certainly smarter than utilizing the touchscreen for all that stuff, however you are able to do that if you want. There’s additionally a terrific display screen wipe for the touchscreen that eliminates fingerprints in only a second or two.
Anticipate normal built-in sat navigation, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a gorgeous digital instrument cluster.
For probably the most half the expertise within the new Kodiaq is straightforward, and the controls are manageable. These embrace the shortcuts to disable the protection techniques which will annoy you. It takes simply a few steering wheel button presses to show off the lane-keeping help and speed-sign bing-bong noises.
Up entrance there’s a sizeable centre console bin, cupholders between the seats, and a coverable storage zone the place the gear selector would historically be positioned (it’s a column-mounted shift-by-wire one as an alternative). The latter additionally homes two USB-C ports and a pair of wi-fi cellphone chargers.
Materials high quality has clearly been a spotlight, with beautiful touches to the cabin trim on the dashboard, doorways and between the seats. Our German check automobile had a convincing part-leather, part-vinyl end, with seat heating and cooling for the entrance occupants.
Second-row area is nice sufficient for a six-footer behind somebody equally sized, with manageable leg-, foot- and headspace, and ample shoulder room. Three adults throughout the again is doable and three little one seats must be too.
The second-row seats have a sliding perform that lets you permit for more room within the again.
As a household hauler, there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three top-tethers within the second row, however no positions for kiddos within the very again row. This may make one thing like a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento attraction extra to you, as they’ll accommodate little one seats within the very again.
Facilities for second-row riders embrace multi-pocket seat backs, huge bottle holders within the doorways, built-in window shades, a storage zone on the transmission tunnel, a flip-down armrest with cupholders, and dual-zone local weather management with outboard seat heating.
Entry to the third-row is completed by a lever that flips the seat again ahead and slides the bottom simply. I managed to step in with out an excessive amount of trouble.
Third-row area might be higher thought-about a short-term rental slightly than a ceaselessly residence, as a result of there are not any air vents, no fan controller, and no child-seat factors.
There’s sufficient area for a smaller occupant to perk up, with a grown-up nonetheless able to being snug within the center row.
There are armrests over the wheel-arches within the third row, in addition to a good quantity of headroom because of the boxy-backed design.
With all of the seats up there’s a claimed 340 litres of boot area. This expands as much as 910 litres with the third row of seats folded which is superb for the category.
The cargo space features a space-saver spare wheel underneath the boot ground, purchasing bag hooks on the perimeters, and a pair of crevasses on both aspect of the ground space for free gadgets.
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Australia gained’t get the diesel engine I drove in Europe. There isn’t any marketplace for diesels in Australia, in accordance with Skoda, with the New Car Effectivity Normal (NVES) mandates killing that phase for newcomers.
Which means, just like the outgoing mannequin, the brand new Kodiaq will probably be a petrol-only line-up in Australia.
Ultimate specs are nonetheless to be decided, however we’ve been informed the bottom mannequin Choose and mid-spec Sportline variants could have a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 140kW, with a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission and all-wheel drive as normal.
The engine for the range-topping RS variant hasn’t been confirmed but. It’ll doubtless rating the identical engine because the Excellent Sportline and the up to date Golf GTI, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 195kW/400Nm.
Skoda hasn’t printed particulars on the towing capability of its higher-capacity petrol engines but, however you may anticipate an unbraked capability of 750kg. Braked towing is anticipated to be between 2000kg and 2500kg for the fashions offered Down Below.
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
How does the Skoda Kodiaq drive?
The model of the Kodiaq on check in Germany for this assessment didn’t function a related powertrain for our market. It’s a disgrace as a result of the two.0-litre turbo-diesel is a terrific unit, providing nice low- to mid-range oomph and surprisingly good refinement.
As an alternative, Aussies will get petrol fashions solely, they usually’ll little doubt be pleasant if the earlier model of the Kodiaq is something to go by.
What was additionally pleasant on this occasion was the drivability of the brand new Kodiaq.
Throughout a mixture of totally different eventualities together with visitors round Munich airport and the encompassing arterial roads, some stretches of unrestricted Autobahn driving, to twisting mountain roads and tight streets in high-altitude villages, this family-focused SUV is an absolute attraction to drive.
The steering is exact and properly weighted, making it straightforward sufficient to dart again to the sting of the street when oncoming visitors strays too near the median, but additionally permitting for easy parking strikes.
That’s as soon as I obtained my head round that gear selector – you twist as much as go forwards, right down to go backwards.
The visibility from the driving force’s seat impresses, with an excellent ahead view, good side-mirror imaginative and prescient, although with folks within the second- and third rows I couldn’t see out the again. A digital rear-view mirror would alleviate this.
On the parking entrance our tester got here geared up with a surround-view system, in addition to entrance and rear parking sensors with auto-braking that helped when a foolish pedestrian determined to stroll precisely the place I used to be reversing.
The trip consolation could be very properly suited to this kind of automobile, with a easy and cozy standing on most surfaces I drove on, although sharp edges did catch the entrance suspension out a bit at occasions.
Maybe most spectacular was the sensation of solidity within the new Kodiaq.
It has a extremely well-built really feel to it, by no means feeling clumsy or unmanageable in any of the conditions I drove.
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
What do you get?
The usual tools for the new-generation Skoda Kodiaq hasn’t but been confirmed.
Skoda Australia has outlined what you may anticipate to be provided as normal within the Sportline trim.
Skoda Kodiaq Sportline highlights:
- Gloss black exterior highlights
- Matrix LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights
- LED tail-lights with sequential indicators
- Energy tailgate
- 19-inch alloys (20-inch models could also be provided in Australia)
- Proximity entry and push-button begin
- Sportline Design Choice inside trim
- Electrical seat adjustment
- Driver’s seat reminiscence
- Ambient inside lighting
- Darkish headliner
- Suedia trim finishes
- Distinction gray stitching
- Three-spoke sports activities steering wheel
- 10-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
- 13-inch touchscreen infotainment show
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Energy-folding door mirrors
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Sensible Dials
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
Is the Skoda Kodiaq secure?
Euro NCAP put the new-generation Skoda Kodiaq by its testing in 2024, and the outcome was the utmost five-star score. It has carried over to ANCAP simply but.
It achieved 89 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 83 per cent for little one occupant safety, 82 per cent for weak street person safety and 78 per cent for its security help techniques.
Normal security expertise contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian, bike owner, head-on and junction detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keep help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
- Journey Help (lane centring)
- Parking help
- Reversing digital camera
- Entrance and rear parking sensors with auto braking
The brand new Kodiaq is anticipated to be provided with as much as 9 airbags – twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance aspect, rear aspect and full-length curtain protection.
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
How a lot does the Skoda Kodiaq value to run?
Title one other European model that gives a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia…. That’s proper, there isn’t one other one.
Skoda gives pay as you go service plans for as much as seven years too.
Servicing for the brand new Kodiaq is anticipated to be due each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever happens first. In case you prepay your servicing, it’d add to the resale worth as a result of you may cross it on to the subsequent proprietor with upkeep already lined.
Skoda additionally gives the choice of a assured future worth for the automobile for those who finance by its in-house loans operation, which could be attractive for these involved about resale values.
To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparability software.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Skoda Kodiaq
There isn’t any doubt in my thoughts the brand new Skoda Kodiaq will probably be probably the greatest medium SUVs with seven seats when it reaches our shores in 2025.
Whether or not or not it is going to be a celebrity on value stays to be seen, however there’s probably loads of worth right here, and it’s one of many extra sensible three-row choices amongst its present friends.
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