The Skoda Kodiaq RS lands in Spain with a starting price of 43,500 euros and puts the Cupra Ateca in its sights

SUVs and sportiness are two concepts that have already come together, allowing their users to enjoy a perfect balance between comfort and fun. It is true that many consider this pairing heresy, an affront to traditional sports cars, but brands such as Skoda have wanted to change that notion with the new Kodiaq RS. This first sporty SUV from the Czech brand is set to revolutionise the segment it belongs to, positioning itself as one of the most practical and fastest, a combination that may also prove very appealing thanks to its price.

The engineers at Skoda have drawn on their expertise to develop more radical models and have applied it to the brand’s largest SUV, with the aim of giving room to the RS badge on its rear. With this premise, the Kodiaq has become the first SUV from Skoda to receive that designation, creating a very direct rival for models such as the Cupra Ateca or a possible Cupra Tarraco.

This new approach is also reflected in the styling of the Skoda Kodiaq RS, a vehicle that gains a series of details designed to highlight its latent sporting spirit. A more prominent and sporty front bumper gives it a new character that fits perfectly with the RS name. The same effect is seen at the rear, where a new diffuser and two aggressive exhaust outlets establish a much more radical exterior design.

20-inch wheels and sports-style bucket seats also help shape this new personality of the Kodiaq RS, but it is under the skin where we find the most notable change. It is true that a petrol engine is usually found in this type of vehicle, especially given the times we live in, but the Czech brand has managed to keep emissions levels in check and has chosen a diesel powertrain to energise the most sporty Skoda Kodiaq to date.

To be more specific, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI engine is housed within the Czech SUV, giving it a power output of 240 CV and 500 Nm of torque. These figures catapult the Skoda Kodiaq RS to 100 km/h in just 7 seconds, a time complemented by a top speed of 220 km/h. This performance, managed by a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, has allowed the SUV from Skoda to take the title of fastest seven-seat production vehicle at the Nürburgring, giving the Kodiaq a long pedigree on the Green Hell’s asphalt.

Skoda has pushed hard into the sporty SUV segment, a segment where it looks set to reign for a long time, a reign that could only be threatened by its cousin, the Cupra Ateca. To round things off, the Czech brand has set a starting price of 50,750 euros for the Kodiaq RS, a figure that drops sharply to 43,500 euros thanks to promotional campaigns and financing options.

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadSkoda Kodiaq16 versions · from 46,800 €