2017 Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 150 4x4 Edition review

From £20,7208
Skoda’s new Kodiaq large SUV isn't revolutionary, but its blend of seven-seat useability and value-for-money desirability is almost enough to take Skoda higher

Our Verdict

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda jumps into the SUV market with both feet — and seven seats, but can the Kodiaq win the people's hearts in an already congested SUV market?

Matt Saunders Autocar
14 November 2016

What is it?

The Skoda Kodiaq sets two landmarks for the Czech car maker: this is the manufacturer's first ever proper SUV, and also its first ever seven-seat car.

Perhaps even more importantly, it's also something of an acid test of the strength of the Skoda brand, and could well be a bellwether for the company’s long-term strategy to move gradually upmarket. If Skoda proves that it can sell large family SUVs for the kind of money that isn’t too far off what’s needed for an equivalent BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz or Land Rover, it’ll be much easier to move the rakish coupé and small SUV concept cars we’ve seen in recent years from the drawing board to the production line. The Kodiaq may also finally help prove to buyers that the reputational problems of Skodas all those decades ago are simply no longer a factor.

The Kodiaq is the fourth and final new Volkswagen Group SUV based on the MQB platform to hit the market in 2016, after its Volkswagen Tiguan, Seat Ateca and Audi Q2 cousins. Unlike any of those cars, however, the Kodiaq offers customers the potential to combine must-have modern SUV desirability with seven-seater utility and four-wheel drive capability – and all for less than £27,000.

Find an Autocar car review

Driven this week

The entry-level Kodiaq actually costs less than £22,000, while the range-topping 2.0-litre 187bhp TDI DSG model in tech-laden Edition trim is nearly £35,000. Interestingly, therefore both the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Vauxhall Mokka X can be considered rivals. The bottom-rung petrol (123bhp 1.4 TSI) and diesel (113bhp 2.0 TDI) engines power Kodiaqs in entry-level ‘S’ trim, which have front-wheel drive only. Above that, Skoda offers 148bhp petrol (1.4 TSI) and diesel (2.0 TDI) options in front and four-wheel drive formats, with either manual or twin-clutch automatic gearboxes. Top-of-the-range engine options are good for 178bhp in the case of the 2.0 TSI petrol, or 187bhp in the case of the 2.0 TDI diesel – both coming with four-wheel drive and a DSG automatic gearbox only.

Our first taste of the Kodiaq comes in an Edition-trim, 148bhp 2.0 TDI 4x4 manual, which was fitted with seven seats as standard; lower down the range they’re a £1000 option.

What's it like?

The Kodiaq certainly makes a good first impression. Skoda claims inspiration from the Czech Republic’s crystal-cut glass tradition for the Kodiaq’s styling, saying that there's nothing overtly borrowed from sister-brand Volkswagen’s quite notably similar Tiguan. The styling is slightly derivative, though, but that may be forgivable from a brand dipping its toe into the large SUV market for the first time – particularly when it amounts to a quietly handsome car.

The interior of our top-of-the-range test car could perhaps have made a slightly better attempt at luxury. The Kodiaq’s leather sports seats are certainly comfy enough, its controls are laid out clearly and logically, and the interior materials show the consistent good quality and attentive finish that we’ve become used to from Skoda. However, in some places, where the manufacturer had tried to go the extra mile on richness – with the contrived-looking patterned dashboard trims of our car, for example – it stumbles. In other areas, such as the swish-looking glass-fronted 8in Columbus touchscreen infotainment system, things are more of a success.

For rear passengers, the Kodiaq proves very accommodating. Like most SUVs its size – the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Discovery Sport – it won’t quite seat seven larger adults in comfort, but it gets closer than most. There’s abundant head and leg room in the second row, where the seats split 60:40 to slide for and aft, split 40:20:40 to fold down, and tilt forwards and slide to grant access to row three.

The rearmost seats are big enough for a smaller adult or growing child in reasonable comfort, though the absence of Isofix childseat anchor points is a disappointment. It’s also slightly disappointing to find that, more like a normal MPV than a big SUV, you don’t get ‘stadium’ seating levels in the Kodiaq, so there’s those in the rear of the cabin don't get a decent view forwards over the heads of those sat in front of them.

This mid-range 148bhp diesel engine moves the car along briskly enough that you’d seldom regret not stretching to the 187bhp model. There's ample torque when you've got a light load, and the ratios of the six-speed manual gearbox are well-chosen, although the shift quality is a little bit stubborn. Refinement is very good at cruising speeds, although it does become a bit gruff and breathless when you're working it beyond 4000rpm. It's no worse than plenty of Volkswagen Group hatchbacks, and still better than plenty of more agricultural-feeling 4x4 rivals.

Video by Autocar sister brand WhatCar?:

It’s the Kodiaq’s ride and handling that’s the big surprise. Unfortunately, if you’re expecting the ‘big comfortable Skoda’ feel of the Superb and Octavia, the Kodiaq's taut and occasionally fidgeting ride might take some getting used to. It’s clear that Skoda doesn’t want its new breed of SUVs to have to have the laid-back dynamic character of its current big cars, but instead to be thought of as every bit as agile as any rival in the class. Therefore the Kodiaq’s ride is medium to firm, getting just reactive enough over uneven B-roads to jostle you. Handling is upright and fairly agile, although the Kodiaq could be easier to guide through a corner on account of a slightly pendulous over-assisted steering feel.​

Should I buy one?

If you need a car of this size, and plenty of people do, you should definitely consider the Kodiaq.

The Kodiaq’s slightly imperfect ride and handling would be unlikely to persuade me that this wasn’t an excellent added-value answer to my large family’s motoring needs, even as an interested driver. The car’s boot is huge, all seven of its seats are usable, its infotainment system and convenience features are excellent, its engines are strong, and it's well-priced and well-equipped in mid-level trim.

As a statement of ambitious intent from Skoda, the Kodiaq doesn’t quite have the impact it could have done. However, as fuel for the firm’s inexorable growth and development, it's just what the doctor ordered.

Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 150 4x4 Edition

Location Feltham, Middlesex; On sale now; Price £32,695; Engine 4cyls, 1968cc, turbodiesel; Power 148bhp at 3500rpm; Torque 251lb ft at 1750rpm; Gearbox 6-spd manual; Kerb weight 1676kg; 0-62mph 10.0sec; Top speed 124mph; Economy 52.3mpg; CO2/tax band 142g/km, 28% Rivals: Land Rover Discovery Sport, Nissan X-Trail

Join the debate

Comments
20

xxxx

14 November 2016
All things considered if you going to transport 4/5 messy kids in a 7 seater 4 wheel drive SUV some people may think twice about Q7's and XC90's and buy this to save nearly £20,000 and in the process be less paranoid about the damage 5 kids will do to the inside of a car.

typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion

A34

14 November 2016
I was just going to say the same: this is a great alternative to a Q7 let alone a Q5. Probably eats the Disco Sport too. Big, cheap, quality is usually a case of "choose any 2".

giulivo

14 November 2016
are the obvious rivals for this car, and I am surprised that they aren't mentioned anywhere in the article. Three brands that have come a long way and three cars that I find very desirable, should I have the need for a seven seater and/or for a car of that size.

abkq

14 November 2016
The 'wide smile' below the main grille looks odd, especially where much of its length - except the middle bit - is blanked off.

giulivo

14 November 2016
it's true

Highline2.0

14 November 2016
It's proportions seems slightly strange, like the wheelbase is too long or set slightly back from where it should be. The back end also looks very similar to the Seat Ateca.

Will86

14 November 2016
I can't understand the logic of Skoda going upmarket, surely this would just cannibalise sales from VW and Audi and harm Skoda's reputation for good value.

giulivo

15 November 2016
Will86 wrote:

I can't understand the logic of Skoda going upmarket, surely this would just cannibalise sales from VW and Audi and harm Skoda's reputation for good value.

How exactly is this going to cannibalise VW and Audi? VW don't have a 7 seater SUV, the Tiguan and Q5 are smaller and dearer, so will be bought by image conscious buyers. The only other 7 seater in the Group is the Q7 but it is a completely different price class. Do you think that not having this Kodiaq in the market would result in more sales for Q5, Tiguan and Ateca? I think it will take sales from x-trail, Sorento, Santa Fe and possibly Touran.

Unsprung Hero

14 November 2016
I rather like the long bonnet, short tail look they've adopted - there's a whiff of the original Range Rover 3 door about it. The review is classic Autocar however - loads about the handling (top priority in a family SUV) but no mention of how big the boot is.........

FastRenaultFan

14 November 2016
Unsprung Hero wrote:

I rather like the long bonnet, short tail look they've adopted - there's a whiff of the original Range Rover 3 door about it. The review is classic Autocar however - loads about the handling (top priority in a family SUV) but no mention of how big the boot is.........

Yes there is 2nd last paragraph of the "Should you buy it" 4th sentence in they mention the cars boot.

The Kodiaq’s slightly imperfect ride and handling would be unlikely to persuade me that this wasn’t an excellent added-value answer to my large family’s motoring needs, even as an interested driver. The car’s boot is huge, all seven of its seats are usable, its infotainment system and convenience features are excellent, its engines are strong, and it's well-priced and well-equipped in mid-level trim.

Pages

Add your comment

Log in or register to post comments

Find an Autocar car review

Driven this week