SKODA KODIAQ
Skoda’s Kodiaq is its firm’s first SUV and puts family life first.
Skoda’s first SUV has been a long time coming. It fills a gap in the range of the Skoda line-up and offers families a spacious, well-equipped and comfortable 5 or 7-seater that can perform on and off-road.
The name Kodiaq refers to the famous large bear of the North Americas and the car first rolled off production lines back in 2016. From an engineering perspective, the Kodiaq shares many parts and a platform with many other Volkswagen Group models, including even the Audi TT sports car and the more closely related Volkswagen Tiguan SUV.
Since launch, the Kodiaq has won a lot of admirers thanks to its affordable price and impressive capability and has even produced a performance version – the vRS. This comes with the 2.0-litre ‘TDI’ turbo diesel that’s common in the Skoda range, but this time tuned to 236bhp, and with all-wheel drive and 500Nm of torque, performance is impressive for a car of this size.
For most though, the standard Kodiaq is the one they want, and if a 2.0-litre turbo diesel in a less powerful state of tune isn’t for you, then Skoda also offers 1.5 or 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol units with either 148 or 187bhp. 6-speed manual gearboxes or 7-speed DSG double-clutch automatics are present throughout the Skoda Kodiaq engine range, and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is available too, the latter providing the Kodiaq with some off-road capability.
The Kodiaq comes with a few different trim levels, but all models are well-equipped, as befitting a car of this size. Entry level ‘SE’ cars get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, DAB digital radio and smartphone integration, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and all models get a range of Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ solutions, involving innovative little touches around the car to help make life easier. Torches, umbrellas, little hooks and storage spaces can be found incorporated into many parts of the design. In higher specifications, expect to find more luxuries such as heated seating, navigation, leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.
For a family car, the Skoda Kodiaq offers a lot for a little. Its size and equipment as well as the way it drives make it exceptional value for money and if you’re the Synergy customer looking for a new family SUV, then the Kodiaq makes as good a case for itself as just about anything else on the road.