Prices and specifications have been announced for UK versions of the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq. The hugely popular family-friendly SUV is available with three engines and a choice of two trim levels at launch, with more to follow – including a plug-in hybrid.
The new Kodiaq is a more muscular-looking car than its predecessor, seeming lower and broader. That’s a neat visual trick because it’s actually a little narrower than before – it’s a few centimetres lower, as well, and about 6cm longer. The front end is marked out by the hexagonal grille and the rear features a C-shaped lightning signature.
More space in redesigned interior
Inside, you’ll find a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit driver’s display and a 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system on a clean, uncluttered dashboard. But, joy of joys, it’s not completely button-free. There’s a row of three rotary dials to control the temperature and stereo volume, plus some buttons for climate control functions.
More importantly, though, Skoda has liberated even more space from the Kodiaq’s interior. It has always had one of the biggest boots in the business, not just the midsize SUV class, and there’s now a truly cavernous 910 litres of capacity on offer with two rows of seats in place. Fold row two down and there’s a van-like 2,105 litres.
As before, the new Kodiaq is available in five or seven-seat guise. We’ll have to wait until we’ve tested it to pass judgement on how much space there is in the third row, but Skoda claims there’s 340 litres of boot behind it.
Petrol and diesel engines at launch
At launch, there’s a choice of petrol mild-hybrid 1.5 TSI e-TEC with 150hp, or 2.0 TDI diesels with 150hp or 193hp – the latter has four-wheel-drive. In due course, a 204hp 2.0 TSI petrol will join the range alongside the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Kodiaq iV.
Exact specs for the PHEV haven’t been released yet, but Skoda claims a WLTP range of up to 62 miles from the 25.7kWh battery. It can charge at 50kW on a DC electricity supply and 11kW on AC. It’s only available with five seats and boot space is reduced to 745 litres.
All engines come with a DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. WLTP fuel economy and performance figures will be announced later.
Two trim levels, more to follow
There are two trims available to start with – SE and SE L. Though it’s the entry-point to the range, SE is stuffed with standard equipment. That includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front and rear lights, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, Virtual Cockpit and a 13-inch infotainment display with built-in satnav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Safety hasn’t been neglected, either. Among a very long list of driver assistance features are Front Assist (autonomous emergency braking), Blind Spot Detection that warns if you’re about to open a door in a cyclist’s path, and Front Cross Traffic Assist.
SE L adds 19-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory and electric boot opening. The sporty-looking SportLine model will be added to the range later in 2024.
Prices start at £36,645 for the 1.5 TSI e-TEC SE and top out at £46,225 for the 2.0 TDI 193hp SE L. So value for money remains a Kodiaq strong suit for the second generation. Order books open on 10 April 2024.
What it means for you
The first-generation Kodiaq was a huge success for Skoda since its launch in 2016. 850,000 were built, 55,000 of which found homes in the UK, which made it the car’s second-biggest market. We’ve always rated the Kodiaq very highly at Parkers and, even as it entered its twilight years, it remained very competitive against newer rivals such as the latest Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sorento and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
On paper, at least, there’s every reason suppose the second-generation Kodiaq will pick up exactly where its progenitor left off, offering class-leading space, practicality and value in an understated package. We’ll let you know if it delivers in practice when we have the opportunity to test it.
