Skoda Kodiaq first look

The Skoda Kodiaq, revealed in Berlin, is the new flagship model of the Czech brand that's aimed at a set of buyers looking for a premium SUV. “The Kodiaq gives us a new customer base we never had before,” said Bernhard Maier, CEO of Skoda Auto, who expects the Kodiaq to even outsell the Superb.

The Kodiaq’s styling is heavily influenced  by the VisionS concept car shown earlier this year, with the interior in particular featuring several striking new design touches.

The new Skoda SUV is based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform and is 4,697mm long, 1,882mm wide and 1,676mm tall when fitted with roof rails. Although that is par for the class – and just 40mm longer than an Octavia – Skoda says the Kodiaq will outdo its rivals because it has better interior space, more technology and offers more value for money.

Though it may look massive, at 4,697mm, it's only 40mm longer than an Octavia, but of course it's much more spacious.

A matter of space

The Kodiaq will have the option of seven seats – making it Skoda’s first seven-seater – and a massive seats-down boot capacity of up to 2,065 litres (630 litres with the middle row up, 270 litres with the third row up as well), which, according to its maker, is the largest available on the market. The Hyundai Santa Fe’s boot capacity in comparison is 585 litres with the third row in place. Skoda highlights the second-row seating system as an example of the detail it has gone to in order to make the Kodiaq as practical as possible. The seats split 60/40, they move lengthways by 18cm, and the backrests are individually adjustable as standard. Buyers can also spec an electrically operated tailgate that can be opened by waving a foot under the rear of the car.

The middle row doesn't tumble forward, so access to the rear can be tricky. It does slide back and forth for better flexibility though.

Those familiar with the Superb will find a similar amount of legroom in the middle row. The Kodiaq feels supremely comfortable and the high seating position gives a good view out. However, the third row is not so practical. Firstly, access is tricky as the middle seat doesn’t tumble; you have to slide the seat forward to clamber into the back. And unless the middle-row seats are slid fully forward, there is simply no legroom in the last row which is best left for small children. However, what Skoda may have stinted on for the last two passengers, it has made up for with luggage space. With its flexible seating and load-carrying capacity, the Kodiaq promises to be just the perfect family car, especially on holidays.

Kitted out

The Kodiaq is likely to set a new standard as a far as features and equipment goes, making even a Hyundai Santa Fe seem bare, and that’s saying something.

The Kodiaq gets a 6.5-inch touchscreen as standard, with Bluetooth and SmartLink, which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, available as options. Optionally, buyers can opt for an 8.0-inch touchscreen, which includes a function that records the driver’s voice and plays it back to the rear seats. A sat-nav function plus off-road and parking camera aids are also a part of the kit.

Dashboard has some familiar Skoda bits, but the vertical air-con vents and thick slabs of trim are new and look rugged.

There’s no stinting on connectivity in the Kodiaq and this SUV offers a 64GB flash memory and DVD drive, a WLAN Wi-Fi hotspot, integrated tablet holders behind the front seats and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Additionally, Skoda is offering buyers two apps: Skoda Connect that allows them to monitor the Kodiaq’s movements while away from the car, including setting up alerts for speeding or the car being driven when it should be parked; and SmartLink which combines sat-nav data, music and news information, as well as details of the car’s data.

It’s unclear how many of these features will make it to the India car, but Skoda India managing director, Sudhir Rao hinted, “the equipment levels on the Kodiaq will set new standards in the Indian market” 

In terms of safety tech, although exact specifications are yet to be set, standard safety kit levels are expected to be very high.
 

Power talk

The Kodiaq will be launched with a five-strong engine range internationally, but the Indian market will get only two engine options. The mainstay will be the all-new EA288 2.0-litre diesel which powers a host of other VW Group cars and is in the process of being localised for the Indian market. The Kodiaq’s 2.0-litre motor is likely to come with the higher 190hp power output mated to an all-new 7-speed DSG gearbox designed to take on the extra power and torque. At a later stage, Skoda will introduce a 2.0-litre TSI petrol developing 180hp, with a DSG auto transmission as well. There are no plans to bring in a manual version of the Kodiaq, as the experience with the Yeti has proven that there are very few takers for this option at this price point.

The Kodiaq will come to India with a 190hp 2.0-litre diesel engine, as well as a 180hp 2.0-litre petrol engine

DSG-equipped cars will have the option of Driving Mode Select, which allows the driver to toggle between Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow and Individual, all of which alter the DSG, engine, power steering and air-con settings. Additionally, Adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control can be integrated with the system, which alter the shock absorber settings to be in line with the selection of Comfort, Normal or Sport mode.

The Kodiaq also has an Off-Road mode, which modifies the chassis, engine and brake settings to cope with rough terrain, and also engages Hill Descent Assist on steep downward slopes.

Again, it is not clear how many of these features will be offered on the Indian version of the Kodiaq.

Skoda promises class-leading equipment, which could include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless phone charging

The Indian angle

Skoda India says that the Kodiaq is likely to be introduced in September or October 2017, just around the festive season. In terms of pricing, it will be a bit higher than the Superb and is expected to launch at Rs 25 lakh for the base version going up to Rs 30 lakh for the top-spec models. It will take on the Santa Fe head on, and to some extent the Fortuner, which currently is the top dog in the Rs 25-30 lakh SUV class.

Given its price point, the Kodiaq may not sell in huge numbers in India, but with its blend of design, space, functionality and features, it looks promising enough to set a new benchmark in the SUV segment.