The Skoda Kodiaq is a large SUV that offers a lot of value for money. The new Skoda Kodiaq can seat up to seven people comfortably and has a spacious and versatile boot. It also comes with a range of efficient and powerful engines, including a plug-in hybrid option that can run on electric power for up to 34 miles. The Skoda Kodiaq is well-equipped with modern technology and safety features and has a solid and refined driving experience. It competes with other SUVs, such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Peugeot 5008, and the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, but it undercuts them on price and matches them on quality.
The 2024 Skoda Kodiaq model year marks the first major update for the Kodiaq since its launch in 2016. Skoda has made subtle changes to the exterior and interior design, improved the infotainment and driver assistance systems, and added new engine options. The Kodiaq is still one of the best family cars on the market and has won several awards from various publications, such as Top Gear, What Car?, Auto Express, and Honest John.
Engine Options
The Skoda Kodiaq offers four different engine options: two petrol, one diesel, and one plug-in hybrid. All engines are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The petrol engines are a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 148 horsepower and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower. The 1.5-liter engine features cylinder deactivation technology that can shut off two cylinders when cruising to save fuel. The 2.0-liter engine is exclusive to the sporty vRS model, which also has a lowered suspension, larger brakes, and more aggressive exterior styling.
The diesel engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 197 horsepower. It has an AdBlue system that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions and meets the latest Euro 6d emission standards. It also has a mild-hybrid system that uses a 48-volt battery to provide extra torque and improve fuel economy.
The plug-in hybrid engine is based on the 1.4-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 148 horsepower, but it also has an electric motor that adds another 85 horsepower. The combined output is 204 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid engine uses a 13-kWh battery that can be charged in about three hours using a wall box or public charger. It can also recuperate energy from braking and coasting. The plug-in hybrid engine can travel up to 34 miles on electric power alone, according to the WLTP cycle.
Interior Features
The interior of the Skoda Kodiaq is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room for passengers and luggage. The Kodiaq can seat up to seven people in a 2+3+2 configuration or five people in a 2+3 configuration if you opt for the plug-in hybrid model or the vRS model. The third row of seats can be folded flat into the floor when not in use, creating a large boot space of up to 835 liters (29.5 cubic feet). The second row of seats can also slide forward and backward to adjust legroom or cargo space, and they can be split in a 60/40 ratio or folded flat as well.
The cabin is well-built and stylish, with high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces. The dashboard is dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless charging and online services. The instrument cluster is digital and customizable, showing various information such as speed, fuel level, navigation directions, driver assistance alerts, and hybrid system status. The steering wheel has audio, cruise control, phone, voice recognition, and lane-keeping assist buttons.
The Skoda Kodiaq comes with several features that make life easier for the occupants, such as dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, rear-view camera, parking sensors, and a power tailgate. Some of these features are standard, while others are optional or available in higher trim levels.
The Kodiaq also has some clever and practical touches that are typical of Skoda, such as umbrellas stored in the front doors, an ice scraper hidden in the fuel cap, a removable LED torch in the boot, and door-edge protectors that pop out when opening the doors to prevent scratches.