It is one of the best family SUVs and now also comes in plug-in hybrid form: we drive the new Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda is flying. And with products as “well-rounded” as the ones it has been putting on the market lately, it is no surprise. The brand not only keeps growing and is already in the Top 4 of the European registrations ranking year-to-date through August, but it also is advancing in Spain, where from January to September 2024 it has already sold 25,655 cars, 10% more than in the same period of 2023. And with a very relevant fact: it remains, by a wide margin, the most profitable mass-market brand in the Volkswagen Group.

And although the electric push continues with the updated Enyaq, the start of sales of the Elroq and the new Epiq also just around the corner, the brand does not neglect its most important combustion-engined models, such as the Skoda Kodiaq, a model that accounts for practically a third of the three million SUVs that Skoda has sold since the launch of the Yeti back in 2009. Let us remember that, currently, the Skoda SUV range, in addition to the fully electric Elroq and Enyaq, includes the Kamiq, the Karoq and the Kodiaq we are looking at today.

We got behind the wheel of the new Skoda Kodiaq range to confirm that this new generation of the brand’s flagship strengthens even further the qualities that made it one of the most recommendable family SUVs in its category. And now, in addition, it adds an interesting plug-in hybrid version to the range. So interesting that if you have a car to scrap, with the Plan MOVES incentives the Skoda Kodiaq iV becomes… the most affordable version in the range!

Let us look in more detail at what changes in this second generation of the Skoda Kodiaq, and what its strong points are. Because I will tell you upfront that, whichever way you look at it, it is hard to find fault with it.

More modern, more technological, more efficient and more comfortable

The new Kodiaq is now a little bigger, but not much. It grows 6 cm in length to reach 4.76 metres, keeping the height at 1.66 metres and a generous wheelbase of 2.79 m, while the width increases by 4 centimetres. But the new design that all Skoda models now sport disguises its dimensions very well. The Skoda stopped being “dull” and boring a while ago, and now they even turn heads.

In the case of the new Kodiaq, it does so through many details, such as the large octagonal grille, which can now incorporate a light bar with LEDs between the vertical bars that visually join the front headlights, which optionally – and at a very good price, around 800 euros with the illuminated grille – can be second-generation Matrix LED, up to 15% more powerful. There is also a decorative strip joining the rear light units, but in this case, so as not to “conflict” with the visual identity of other models in the group, it is not illuminated. Another completely new element is the rear pillar trim, which can be finished in different colours, contrasting with the bodywork.

A very important aspect is the reduction achieved in the aerodynamic coefficient, which now stands at 0.28 in the most favourable case. This has been achieved, among other things, by improving airflow through the engine and brake cooling intakes and by using flatter roof bars and more aerodynamic mirrors and wheels. The wheels can be from 17 to 20 inches, and there are nine colours available for the bodywork, two solid and seven metallic, standing out the new and elegant bronze gold. Personally I think it suits the Kodiaq very well, although I also like how the race blue and graphite grey look on it.

A very spacious interior, a large boot and almost premium finishes

Starting at the end, believe me, I am not exaggerating. I drove a version in Design trim equipped with perforated leather upholstery and the feeling the interior conveys is magnificent, almost premium… and, in any case, far superior to what you would expect from a car at this price. We will come back to this later, but I will tell you in advance that the Kodiaq is one of the most affordable SUVs in its class, where it competes with models such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Kia Sorento, the Mazda CX-60 or the Renault Espace.

The dashboard design is completely new, with the standout feature being the large multimedia screen, which can now be 13 inches for an extra 500 euros (the standard one is 10 inches), including navigation and three years of connected services. It looks great and is very easy to use, and it also features two rows of always-visible icons that give access to the main functions without having to navigate through menus.

The instrumentation is always digital, 10 inches. As there are no manual gearbox versions, the designers took the opportunity to place the transmission lever on the steering column, which leaves a clear centre console between the seats to house cup holders and other practical storage spaces, including a double wireless phone charger with 15 watts of power and cooling.

An interesting novelty are the so-called Smart Dials, three rotary controls on the centre console that have their own digital display and could be mistaken for climate controls, but in fact serve much more. With a single press, the two outer ones allow you to switch between temperature control of the air conditioning or activating the seat heating. The central control is configurable from the multimedia screen, and can be programmed to select from there, also by alternating on press, functions such as fan speed, air outlet direction, audio volume, the driving mode selector or zooming the navigation map.

Other details that give an idea of the level of the new Kodiaq are the option of fitting ergonomic seats with AGR certification and massage function, the variety of upholstery to choose from with different contrasting stitching, the voice assistant with AI support and ChatGPT integration, equipment such as remote parking from a smartphone (not yet available, it will be offered later) or compatibility with the renewed MySkoda app, which now offers many more functions.

But the real strong point of the Kodiaq’s cabin remains its generous interior space, with magnificent rear seats and an enormous boot. Skoda quotes 910 litres of capacity in the 5-seat versions, 845 litres when chosen with the third row of seats (which carries an extra cost of 1,100 euros) and 745 litres for the new plug-in hybrid version, which cannot be seven-seater. That said, these figures have a “trick”: they are with the second-row bench in its most forward position, almost touching the front seats, leaving hardly any room for passengers. In any case, the boot is very large, and the ability to slide the bench is always a “plus” when configuring and distributing space for luggage or passengers according to your needs. With all seats folded down, capacity exceeds 2,100 litres.

Petrol, diesel and a plug-in hybrid you need to know about

The Kodiaq features already familiar petrol and diesel engines, but I was surprised by the fuel consumption reductions they achieve over the previous generation. There are two TDI versions, one with 150 CV and 4×2 traction, and another with 193 CV and 4×4 traction, which have no hybridisation of any kind (DGT C label), but still show, with an unbeatable balance of performance and consumption, that those in charge are killing off diesels too soon. It seems like magic, but it is not, as I was able to verify during the first drive: Skoda has managed to make the Kodiaq TDI, driven in a relaxed manner, settle for averages of 6 l/100 km. By the way, since we are talking about driving, I would highlight the great ride comfort, with suspensions that filter and absorb potholes very well… even on unpaved tracks and roads.

Also with 150 CV, the 1.5 TSI petrol with mild hybridisation can boast very low consumption, although it is more sensitive to driving pace than the TDIs. Both 150 CV engines, the TDI and the TSI, move the Kodiaq with ease; and even more so with the seven-speed DSG gearbox fitted as standard, so they are good entry options into the range. But if I had to choose, I would go for the petrol. It costs 3,000 euros less than the TDI, and the ECO label is a plus that will be valued more and more each day, the way things are going.

Above them sits a 2.0 TSI petrol version with 204 CV and 4×4 traction, although it will not be the most powerful, an honour reserved for the Kodiaq RS, which arrives at the end of the year. But my recommendation is that you do not lose sight of the new Skoda Kodiaq iV with plug-in hybrid technology, for many reasons. First, because with 204 CV it has more than enough performance and also drives very smoothly, with a notable driving pleasure. Second, because with a 25.7 kWh battery it allows an electric range of over 100 km to be claimed, or driving several hundred kilometres in hybrid mode until the battery runs down, with very low consumption of around 3 l/100 km; furthermore, it supports fast charging at 50 kW, which allows recovering up to 80% of capacity in about 25 minutes. And third, because it is one of the few plug-in hybrids where you will not have to give anything up when it comes to carrying luggage, thanks to its large boot.

But there is one more very weighty reason, which I mentioned at the beginning: with the maximum Plan MOVES purchase incentives, which for the Kodiaq iV can be as much as 7,500 euros, the final price makes the plug-in hybrid version the most affordable in the range, coming in at 32,950 euros including all discounts, cheaper even than the 1.5 TSI MHEV 150 CV, which starts from 33,550 euros.

Skoda Kodiaq – Photo Gallery

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadSkoda Kodiaq16 versions · from 46,800 €