Introduction
Having only made the Yeti as an SUV-like model, the Kodiaq is Skoda’s first true attempt at a proper SUV and as the market continues to grow, the Czech brand is looking for its own slice of the segment pie.
As Skoda tries to move upmarket with the quality of its products without inflating its prices by too much, the Kodiaq is the perfect opportunity to undercut rivals by offering up to seven seats on the inside and lots of the brand’s ‘Simply Clever’ solutions.
But having made its name in family hatchbacks and superminis, can Skoda now make the step into the SUV market and succeed here too? We take a look…
Performance
The Kodiaq we tested came with a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine that produced 148bhp and 240Nm of torque, helping the SUV reach 60mph in 9.7 seconds and go onto a top speed of 121mph.
This one is likely to be the best-seller thanks to its good real-world performance and efficient returns, and it is available with four-wheel drive and a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic transmissions – giving customers all the choice they need to make their Kodiaq suit them.
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Ride & Handling
Despite its size, the Kodiaq manages to feel much smaller to drive and handles well on twistier sections of road – even with its higher topline. The steering is light, which can make it feel a bit nervy at higher speeds, but you get used to this fairly quickly and makes the Kodiaq really easy to manoeuvre around urban environments – just remember than it is a large SUV before you do though.
With the well-performing engine and nicely-sized 18-inch alloy wheels fitted to our test car, the Kodiaq felt nice to drive, smooth on the motorways and was able to take on more rutted roads without much hassle at all.
Interior & Equipment
The Kodiaq is built to be as practical as possible, and for families this car is especially useful as it can range from 270 litres of cargo space with all seven seats up – if chosen with the two extra seats – or up to 2,065 litres with all the seats down – the largest load space in its class. The fold-flat seats are excellent, too, making sure you can utilise all the space on offer.
In terms of seating, the Kodiaq offers plenty of space in the five-seat layout, and if it’s specced with just five spaces, leg and head room for all is excellent. The third row of seats can feel a bit squashed, so consider how you will use your Kodiaq before choosing a specific layout.
In the SE specification we tested, the Kodiaq comes with more than enough equipment to suit most lifestyles without the need to add anything else. Although there are four more trims above it, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, fabric black upholstery, cruise control, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, privacy glass and dimming rear view mirror.
Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, black roof rails, a three-spoke leather multifunctional steering wheel, front assist, pedestrian monitoring, Smartlink+ connectivity, Bluetooth and Keyless start/stop. You can add extra equipment, such as a self-opening boot, tri-zone climate control, leather upholstery and a wireless phone charging pad – but they aren’t all the necessary.
Cost
Prices for the Kodiaq start from £22,630, which is very competitive in its segment when you consider all of the standard equipment fitted to it. The SE model has a starting price of £24,080.
In terms of running costs, the Kodiaq is excellent there, too, as the model we tested was quoted to return 51.4mpg and 144g/km CO2 – both of which are more than achievable for an extended period of time.
Verdict
There are few reasons why people looking for a reliable, functional and efficient family car should look at the Kodiaq – as it ticks all the important boxes. Lots of space, standard equipment in spades and plenty of efficient engine and transmission layouts for your consideration help to make this large SUV one of the best family cars around. Coming with off-road Scout and dynamic Sportline variants too, the Kodiaq range is plentiful and one that you can find your perfect family vehicle.
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