Skoda Kodiaq review | Auto Express (original) (raw)
The Skoda Kodiaq is a roomy SUV that offers plenty of practical touches and a good engine range
Is the Skoda Kodiaq a good car?
We’re fans of the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq because it builds on the proven formula of the original model. It’s spacious, efficient and features plenty of clever touches, while the cabin has taken a step upmarket when compared with the first Kodiaq. That combination of talents saw this latest edition of the car win our Best Large SUV award at the 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards.
Unlike rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, not every Kodiaq is a seven-seater. As a result, the car’s starting price is a little lower than those models, at around £37,000. There are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options available, while SE, SE L and SportLine trims are offered.
| Key specs | |
|---|---|
| Fuel type | Petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid |
| Body style | SUV |
| Powertrain | 1.5-litre, 4cyl, petrol, front-wheel drive2.0-litre, 4cyl, diesel, front-wheel drive2.0-litre, 4cyl, diesel, four-wheel drive2.0-litre, 4cyl, petrol, four-wheel drive1.5-litre, 4 cyl, petrol plus 1x e motor, front-wheel drive |
| Safety | Five-star Euro NCAP (2024) |
| Warranty | Three years/60,000 miles |
How much does the Skoda Kodiaq cost?
Where the Skoda Kodiaq has an advantage over many of its rivals is in terms of price, with the range starting at around £37,000. That might sound expensive for a Skoda, but when you compare it with rivals, the entry-level Kodiaq is on a par with smaller compact SUVs. Higher-spec versions are better value for money than most other seven-seat rivals, too.
For the money, you get a family SUV with plenty of space and practical touches. The engine range comprises conventional petrol and diesel choices, plus there’s a plug-in hybrid Kodiaq iV that offers a long range on electric power alone. Both front and four-wheel drive options are offered, while higher-spec versions come with seven seats (they’re an option for the rest of the range, too).
2019 Skoda
Kodiaq
17,692 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £20,387
2020 Skoda
Kodiaq
46,109 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L
Cash £18,700
2020 Skoda
Kodiaq
50,091 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £22,691
2021 Skoda
Kodiaq
69,910 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L
Cash £20,987
The Kodiaq line-up kicks off with entry-level five-seat SE, which can be had with a 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI 48V mild-hybrid petrol, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel with the same output, or the 210bhp plug-in hybrid, which is based around the 1.5 TSI petrol, but adds a 25.7kWh battery for up to 75 miles of electric range. All models come with Skoda’s DSG automatic transmission.
Step up to the SE L and you’ll get the seven-seat layout as standard (except on the PHEV), and this version starts at just over £40,000. The SE L also has the option of a more powerful 190bhp mild-hybrid 2.0-litre diesel engine with four-wheel drive that costs around £46,000. In the fullness of time, there will be a 201bhp 2.0-litre petrol, and a similarly powerful 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid model.
The Kodiaq SportLine costs £2,500 more than SE L and features a racier look inside and out, with a gloss-black grille surround and mirrors, body-coloured lower trim and sportier 20-inch alloy wheels. Skoda also adds semi-microsuede upholstery inside and DCC dynamic chassis control, while the 4x4 version includes an off-road mode. At the moment SportLine is the range topper, but a sportier Kodiaq vRS with more power is expected to join the line-up at a later date.
Beyond the three trim levels, Skoda also offers a range of four ‘Design Selections’. They’re taken from the Skoda Enyaq electric SUV and feature ‘coordinated colours and materials’, according to Skoda. ‘Loft’ gets grey recycled fabric seat upholstery, and ‘Lounge’ uses grey suede microfibre upholstery with a combination of wool, artificial leather, and x-shaped yellow stitching. ‘Suite black’ has perforated artificial leather with grey stitching, whereas ‘Suite Cognac’ uses leather upholstery in black with x-shaped needlework in a ‘Cognac’ brown colour.
Comfort is the Skoda Kodiaq’s forte, because it’s not very exciting to drive. That’s what you’d probably like more than anything else from a family car, though, so there are no complaints about that, although the ride does become a bit firm when the Kodiaq is fitted with larger wheels. The engine range is comprehensive, with diesels on offer for towing, an efficient mild-hybrid petrol and a plug-in hybrid that offers a decent all-electric range. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's engine, performance and drive…
If you can plug it in regularly, then the Kodiaq iV PHEV will offer low running costs, although this is offset by the price premium that it carries over the rest of the range. The SE model is the most affordable version of the Kodiaq and the one that offers the best fuel economy when you take electric assistance out of the equation. Even more appealing is the fact that this model dips under the £40,000 threshold for the luxury car road tax supplement. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's MPG, CO2 and running costs…
Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ philosophy is perfectly suited to a car such as the Kodiaq - family-friendly features make it a useful accessory to family life. One particular highlight is the ‘Smart Dial’ system, which features three rotary dials on the centre console that allow you to switch between various frequently used functions without having to go via the touchscreen, so they’re less distracting – we do wish they felt a bit less flimsy to use, though. We also highly rate the material quality of the Kodiaq, which puts you in mind of a premium SUV, rather than a good-value family car. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's interior, design and technology…
A boot capacity of 340 litres in seven-seat mode means the Kodiaq is almost as spacious as a compact hatchback, even with a full complement of passengers on board. The five-seat model has a bit more boot space than the seven seater in five-seat mode, but both are generous, and there’s more than 2,000 litres on offer with all rear seats folded flat. The cabin is spacious enough, although the rearmost row isn’t quite as generous as some seven-seat rivals. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's boot space, comfort and practicality…
The Skoda Kodiaq earned a five-star rating when it was tested by Euro NCAP, and it comes as standard with lots of the latest assistance technology, making it a safe place to put your family. We don’t have any Driver Power data yet, because this model is too new to have been included, but the previous model did well with owners, so we anticipate the latest model will continue this trend. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq’s reliability and safety…
Skoda Kodiaq alternatives
The Skoda Kodiaq has a lot of bases covered as a family SUV, but there are a whole host of rivals to choose from. The likes of the Peugeot 5008, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento all cover a similar brief, plus there’s the Kodiaq’s Volkswagen Tiguan sibling, too. Further competition from VW for the seven-seat Kodiaq comes from the VW Tayron, the replacement for the Tiguan Allspace. While the Kodiaq is one of the cheapest seven-seat SUVs around, if you’re looking for similar practicality on a smaller budget, then there are alternatives such as the Dacia Jogger and van-based MPVs such as the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Tourneo Connect, and Vauxhall Combo Life to consider, all of which offer petrol, hybrid and all-electric options.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are seven-seat versions of the Skoda Kodiaq, but not all cars come with seven seats as standard. It’s an optional extra that costs around £900 for cars in SE trim. The other exception is the Kodiaq iV PHEV - the large drive battery takes up room under the boot floor, so there’s no space for a second pair of passenger seats in the back, meaning this version is five-seat only in all trim levels. SE L and SportLine versions of the Kodiaq with petrol or diesel power are seven seaters as standard.
More reviews
Car group tests
In-depth reviews
Road tests
Used car tests
Which Is Best
Cheapest
- Name
1.5 TSI e-TEC SE 5dr DSG - Gearbox type
Auto - RRP
£37,870
Most Economical
- Name
1.5 TSI iV 204 SE 5dr DSG - Gearbox type
Auto - RRP
£41,935
Fastest
- Name
2.0 TSI vRS 4X4 5dr DSG [7 Seat] - Gearbox type
Auto - RRP
£53,195
In This Review
- VerdictThe Skoda Kodiaq is a roomy SUV that offers plenty of practical touches and a good engine range
- Engines, performance and driveThe Skoda Kodiaq isn’t the most dynamic SUV, but it is comfortable, and the engine lineup is strong
- MPG, emissions and running costsThe Skoda Kodiaq’s petrol and diesel engines are efficient, but some trims breach the £40,000 tax limit
- Interior, design and technologyPlenty of clever touches abound inside the Skoda Kodiaq, although seven-seat rivals offer better passenger space
- Practicality, comfort and boot spaceClever packaging creates plenty of space inside, although the seven seater isn’t as spacious for passengers as some rivals
- Reliability and safetyAn evolutionary approach should help the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq maintain the appeal of its predecessor, and help its reliability, too
Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.
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