New Skoda Kodiaq In-Depth Review 2022 - Best Value Seven-Seater?

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Skoda has established itself in the mid-sized SUV segment with this Kodiaq, a model now usefully upgraded with a smarter look, both inside and out, and some more efficient engines. You can still have seven seats and four wheel drive. And, whatever spec is chosen, you still get class-leading passenger space. It can still tow up to 2.5-tonnes too - and has one of the largest boots in the class. In other words, you'd have to take this contender seriously.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:46 Background
02:28 Driving Experience
12:10 Design & Build
31:15 Market & Model Range
47:37 Cost of Ownership
56:11 Summary

Background

The Kodiaq was the car that launched Skoda as an SUV brand, launched back in 2016, with 600,000 worldwide sales achieved since. It paved the way for the two subsequemt smaller Skoda crossover models, the mid-sized Karoq and the smaller Kamiq. And has now been usefully updated.

The Czech brand hasn't set out to alter a winning formula here, but the cabin now feels a bit more up-market, there are some more luxurious options offered and the engines are the latest, more efficient VW Group units. Plus the vRS sporting range topper switches from diesel to TSI petrol power. As before, you can have front or four wheel drive; and/or 5 or seven seats. Lots to talk about then.

Driving Experience

Even in the modern era, big spacious seven-seat SUVs have a reputation for handling with all the dynamic finesse of a Channel ferry. As do big Skodas. It's pleasantly surprising then, to find that the Kodiaq is actually quite an agile thing by class standards, its relatively light weight and rigid chassis delivering decent body control through the turns, though you'd better appreciate that if the steering felt more responsive.

There have been a few changes on the engine front with this revised Kodiaq, with nearly all powerplants mated to 7-speed DSG auto transmission. The two TDI diesel units look much the same but are actually completely new, from the VW Group's latest EVO range, developing either 150PS or 200PS and featuring 'twin dosing' technology for cleaner emissions. As before, the entry-level powerplant is Skoda's familiar 1.5-litre TSI EVO petrol unit with 150PS. There's also a 2.0 TSI variant with 190PS. TSI petrol power also now features in the top vRS sporting model, which previously used a twin turbo diesel. Now, the Kodiaq vRS features a 245PS version of the 2.0 TSI petrol powerplant, which is 60kgs lighter than the outgoing TDI and offers 5PS more.

As before, across the range, there's an optional 'Driving Mode Select' system enables the driver to tweak throttle response, steering feel and auto gearshift timings, plus on 4x4 versions there's a 'Snow' setting that optimises things for off road use. Front wheel drive is mandatory on base petrol and diesel Kodiaqs and optional on the 1.5 TSI 150PS or 2.0 TDI 150PS derivatives. Most will want 4WD though and you have to have it on top petrol and diesel units.

Design and Build

Visual changes to this updated model are subtle. You get a redesigned, more upright Skoda grille, now flanked by headlamps that feature full-LED beans across the range. There are also restyled bumpers, smarter alloy wheel designs and a new gloss black rear spoiler above LED rear tail lamps. As before, this Czech SUV has a clear, precise and clean-cut shape marked out by a distinctive, highly recessed shoulder line. The Kodiaq was one of the biggest VW Group models to be spun off the conglomerate's MQB platform. It's around 4.7m in length and the long wheelbase and short overhangs point to a large interior.

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