Skoda Kodiaq (2024 - )

Skoda has unleashed it’s all-new, second generation Kodiaq which boasts a bold new look and extra space for occupants and storage. It is available with a choice of petrol, diesel and, for the first time, plug-in hybrid engines with a pure electric range of up to 75 miles.  

Customers can choose from two generously-equipped trim levels called SE and SE-L with prices starting from £36,645 (£41,935 for the plug-in hybrid version). There will be a SportLine variant joining the line-up later in the year and some versions also boast 4x4 ability.

As well as extra cabin and storage space, the new Kodiaq boasts a whole array of new technology including a fresh infotainment set-up with Virtual Cockpit.

The Kodiaq (named after the Kodiaq bear) was originally launched in 2016 and the family SUV that offers five or seven-seat practicality has sold 850,000 units globally to date with the UK proving to be the brand’s second largest European market behind Germany with 55,000 Kodiaq sales.

We opted for the range-topping 2.0 TDI 193PS DSG version with 4x4 for our test drive.

The new Skoda Kodiaq has been redesigned from the ground up to reflect the company’s new Modern Solid design language. That basically means it gets a fresh new-look. 

There is a revised logo, sculpted bonnet, Matrix headlights, squared off wheel arches, a hexagonal grille which can be specified with an LED strip made up from 14 lighting elements between the headlamps, plus a wide air intake stretching the width of the car and this is flanked by two air curtains. 

Moving to the back of the Kodiaq, there are three-part light clusters with a C-shaped signature, a large and wide tailgate featuring chrome silver letters that spell out the SKODA name, a large bumper, an extended roof spoiler, with the car’s new look completed with striking aerodynamic wheels.

Moving inside, you will discover a modern, clutter-free and elegant interior with a wealth of technology at your disposal. Taking its inspiration from the Skoda Enyaq, the Kodiaq is available with four interior design styles called Loft, Lounge, Suite Black and Suite Cognac.

There is a new 13-inch infotainment screen which acts as the car’s nerve centre and offers access to the likes of the sat nav, DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a nine-speaker sound system that can be upgraded to a 13-speaker Canton set-up, amongst other features.

A voice assistant can be activated by saying ‘Okay Laura’ and this can help with all manner of tasks such as adjusting the temperature, checking the time, turning on the seat heaters and plenty more besides.

Also new, are three Smart Dials which are easy to operate on the fly and offer quick access to the air conditioning, temperature, seat heaters, audio volume, map zoom, fan speed and other settings.

For the first time, the gear selector is now positioned on the steering column which frees up extra space on the centre console. A head-up display is optional and all the vital driving data is clearly viewed in the 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit display screen which can be personalised to taste. In addition, the Kodiaq offers wireless fast charging for two smartphones complete with a ventilation function to prevent the devices from overheating.

With powered seats, that can be heated, along with a manually-adjustable steering wheel (also heated), finding the perfect driving position is a doddle and the all-round visibility is excellent, which is essential on any family vehicle.

Powering our all-wheel drive Skoda Kodiaq SE-L test car was the 2.0-litre diesel engine with 193PS and 400Nm of torque. This translates into some interesting performance figures with a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.0 seconds and top speed of 134mph – that’s not too shabby for a seven-seater SUV weighing in at almost 1.85 tonnes.

On dual carriageways, the Kodiaq quickly reaches the national speed limit and can sit comfortably cruising at 70mph eating away at the miles. Then when faced with more challenging B roads with lots of twists and turns, it proved to be confidently grounded with excellent grip levels and little sign of body sway in or out of tighter bends.

It's a fact there are more engaging SUVs out there, but the Kodiaq seems to do everything well with a minimum amount of fuss and few owners really need their family seven-seater to leave occupants pinned against the seat backs due to the sheer pace and acceleration. Instead, they want a comfortable, refined and safe performance and the Kodiaq excels in all those areas.

The acceleration through the seven-speed automatic transmission is smooth with ample pace to overtake slower moving traffic. The steering is perfectly weighted and there are paddles to take control of the gear switches manually. In addition, drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Snow and Individual alter the dynamics to suit your needs.

The cabin is well protected from road surface, engine and tyre rumble noise and the highly-effective suspension set-up smooths out most bumps and dips along the way.

In busier town centres, the Kodiaq is deceptively agile for its size and the superb all-round driver visibility is a plus point too.

We also had a drive in the lower-powered 150PS diesel model with 2WD and this was slightly more rewarding in its dynamics and handling. So, it is worth weighing up just how vital the all-wheel drive capability is.

The Skoda Kodiaq prides itself on being a full-sized practical family SUV and the latest model sees an increase in storage space with the five-seater boasting a boot capacity that ranges from 910 to 2,105 litres with the split-folding rear seats folded flat. The seven-seater can swallow from 340 to 2,035 litres dependant on the seating configuration. The Kodiaq PHEV is only available with five seats and has a boot capacity ranging from 745 to 1,945 litres.

Boasting a strong road presence, the Kodiaq stretches 4,758mm in length which is 61mm longer than the outgoing model. It is 2,133mm wide and 1,676 to 1,679mm tall (dependant on variant) and has a wheelbase of 2,791mm. 

Cabin space is exceptionally generous with ample room for five adults to travel in comfort even with the front seats pushed well back, and with that larger-than-life boot, there will be no restrictions on what luggage passengers can bring along on a road trip.

In addition to the boot, there are numerous storage compartments scattered throughout the vehicle and these include a double glovebox, deep central cubby, door bins, seat back pockets, wireless charging pad, front and rear cup holders, plus an umbrella in the driver’s door so you are prepared for any unexpected shower.

You need to be quite agile to access the two rear seats in the seven-seater but, in reality, they have been designed with children in mind and they will be more than happy to clamber in and out. Then when not in use, these seats fold completely flat to the boot floor.

The 4x4 model also comes with the added reassurance that it can cope with more challenging terrain with additional Off-Road and Snow settings, plus it has superior towing ability with a braked limit of 2.4 tonnes.

The Skoda Kodiaq line-up is priced from £36,645 for the entry-level 1.5-litre e-TEC petrol model with 150PS and a seven-speed DSG transmission. At the other end of the scale is the 2.0-litre 193PS diesel model with seven seats, the same DSG auto gearbox and 4x4. This will set you back £46,225.

The plug-in hybrid Kodiaq costs from £41,935 for the SE and £44,635 for the SE-L version and they both feature a six-speed DSG gearbox and deliver 204PS. This car is only available with five seats.

Our test car, the most expensive available, cost £46,225 although a number of optional extras, including a Performance Package, space-saving spare wheel, electric tow bar, Winter Package (adding heated front and rear seats and heated steering wheel), a Simply Clever Family Package, a Light and View Plus Package that introduces a horizontal light strip across the front grille as well as enhanced LED Matrix headlights, plus upgraded 19-inch alloys, saw the final cost climb to £50,530.

When it comes to the everyday running costs, the higher-powered 193PS diesel-driven Kodiaq with 4x4 can deliver a WLTP-tested combined 42.2-42.8mpg with carbon emissions of 168-174g/km. This CO2 output would result in a first-year VED (road tax) charge of £680 dropping to the standard fee of £190 after 12 months.

As the Kodiaq we tested costs in excess of £40,000 it is subject to a government premium car tax levy that will add a further £410 annually from years two to six. And this vehicle has a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 37 per cent.

Insurance group ratings are yet to be confirmed.

Ever since its introduction back in 2016, the Skoda Kodiaq has been scooping multiple awards and that looks likely to continue with the arrival of the all-new second-generation model.

With a wide choice of powertrains to suit all needs, along with an uncomplicated trim line-up, it’s simple to find the perfect Kodiaq. And the option of seven seats makes it the perfect all-round vehicle for larger families.

It boasts a bold new look, is packed with high-end and innovative technology and it’s also very, very practical.

Factor in the wealth of safety features and driver assistance aids, along with its excellent handling and the Kodiaq is definitely worth exploring for anyone in the market for a premium-styled family SUV without the premium price-tag.