Skoda Kodiaq: buying guide, petrol or diesel?

The Skoda Kodiaq, one of the best SUVs in its class for value for money, is available with petrol and diesel engines in 150 CV and 190 CV versions. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

The Skoda Kodiaq arrived on the market in 2017, as the first SUV from the brand, with the Yeti’s blessing. Now, the Skoda SUV range is extremely complete, with the Skoda Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq. And since its launch we have clocked up many kilometres in different units of the Skoda Kodiaq, with petrol and diesel engines, in 4×2 and 4×4 versions, with manual or DSG dual-clutch gearbox…

A thoroughly complete family SUV

The range was updated at the beginning of 2018, with some new equipment features. We tested the new Sportsline and Scout versions when they were presented on the Spanish market. We also checked out, in the road test of the Kodiaq 1.5 TSI 150 CV, the advantages of this engine, which took over from the 1.4 TSI with the same power output.

Recently we had the opportunity to thoroughly test the Skoda Kodiaq Scout with the 2.0 TDI 150 CV engine. And we have just spent a few days with the 2.0 TSI 190 CV version in Scout trim, which left us with a very good impression.

To summarise the Kodiaq’s main characteristics, we can note its smooth handling and high level of ride comfort. It has a very spacious cabin (bear in mind this is a large car, measuring 4.7 metres in length) and one of the largest boots in its size class among SUVs (650 litres in the five-seat 4×2 versions, over 2,000 litres with the seats folded down). Furthermore, it is available in a three-row, seven-seat version.

These characteristics make the Skoda Kodiaq a superb family SUV for covering many kilometres. And this is where doubts can creep in. Are 150 CV enough for such a large car, especially if I’m going to travel loaded? Petrol or diesel? The answers to these questions are not easy, as they depend greatly on your budget and what you need.

If you know what you want, this short buying guide can be a great help. But I’ll tell you right away that, today, in SUVs of this size, however good petrol engines are, in terms of the balance between performance and consumption, diesel remains unbeatable. Other factors, such as price or combinations of equipment, engine or transmission, may nudge you towards petrol.

Skoda Kodiaq 150 CV: 1.5 TSI vs 2.0 TDI

At one time the Kodiaq could be chosen with a 125 CV petrol engine. Now, the entry-level versions of the range have 150 CV: the 1.5 TSI petrol and the 2.0 TDI, both four-cylinder. Both engines move the Kodiaq with ease. Enough that you won’t need to consider the 190 CV versions.

If you have a limited budget, the choice is clear: the 1.5 TSI petrol. It is the only engine you can choose with the Active trim, the entry-level one in the range. Its starting price is 23,850 euros, including promotional and financing discounts.

But it turns out that, at least at the official configurator prices (dealers may offer bigger discounts), the Active trim isn’t worth it. For just 250 euros more you get the same engine in Ambition trim, which adds dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and a multimedia system with a 20.3-inch screen, compared with the 16.5-inch one in the Active.

And now comes the first important factor that can really decide the purchase among the 150 CV versions: the transmission. The TSI petrol is available with a six-speed manual gearbox or the 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic, whereas the TDI is only paired with the automatic gearbox.

Our recommendation, for the 1,250 euros it costs (remember, prices according to the configurator of Skoda and with all offers available), is to forget about the manual gearbox. You get a Kodiaq 1.5 TSI 150 CV DSG Ambition for 25,250 euros, which is a “killer” price.

With the same Ambition trim and both with DSG, the TDI costs 27,150 euros, that is, 1,900 euros more. If we move to the Style trim, the price difference drops to 1,400 euros. And in the Sportsline versions it rises to 3,000 euros.

Which one would I go for? Well, taking it for granted that if you’re looking at a car like the Kodiaq it’s because you won’t be moving only around the city, in which case we already know the problems diesels have with the particulate filter, the better buy is still the TDI. The TSI is more pleasant and refined, but not so much as to offset the difference in consumption.

While with the TDI you’ll average between 6.5 and 7.5 l/100 km, with the TSI you’ll average between 8 and 10. And the difference can exceed 3 l/100 km on average if you make short journeys, since the petrol engine starts out using a lot and consumption only stabilises once you’re out on the open road, the engine reaches operating temperature and you maintain a steady pace with cruise control.

Skoda Kodiaq 190 CV: 2.0 TSI vs 2.0 TDI

In the case of the 190 CV versions, we could say the consumption equation repeats. If anything, with an even bigger advantage for the turbodiesel. Because here we are talking about engines that are always paired with all-wheel drive, which increases consumption and penalises the petrol more than the diesel.

Price is not a decisive factor in this case: both engines are offered with the appealing Scout trim, with a difference of just 200 euros in favour of the diesel: 35,650 for the Kodiaq Scout 2.0 TSI 190 CV DSG 4×4, and 35,450 for the TDI.

And while we’re at it, if you’re torn between a Kodiaq with 150 or 190 CV, you’ll again have to do the sums carefully. The 190 CV TDI is not offered with the two lower trims, and the cheapest starts from the Style trim.

But in this case, both with 4×4 drive and DSG gearbox, the difference is 800 euros. And for that price, having 190 CV under the bonnet will always be the better option.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadSkoda Kodiaq16 versions · from 46,800 €