With the disappearance of minivans, the market for “real” family vehicles remained fallow for a while. Of course, 7-seater SUVs have always been found on the market, but manufacturers have never made them their absolute priority.
Recently, however, there has been a shift in perception towards these XXL models: just because they are designed for families, they shouldn’t be seen as old-fashioned “dad’s cars”. Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento… Motorists looking for a vehicle now have a choice as qualitative as it is quantitative. And since 2017, one name has been particularly successful: Skoda, thanks to its Kodiaq, sold in more than 800,000 units since its launch.
The Czech manufacturer intends to continue this success story by launching the second generation of this beautiful baby, which we were able to try on the winding roads of Puy-de-Dôme and Cantal.
Nothing changes, everything changes
At the time of discovering the new Kodiaq, naysayers might wonder if it’s really a new car or just a facelift. Because, in general, we find a typically Skoda design on this second generation, exemplified by the hexagonal grille surrounded by chrome.
And while its size remains substantially equivalent with 4m75 in length (+6 cm), 1m87 in width (-2 cm) and 1m68 in height, the firm of Mladá Boleslav affirms that no body panel has been retained and that this Kodiaq II reinvents itself from the ground up! Aesthetically, this is evident, for instance, in the double-staged daytime running lights, a non-illuminated red strip spanning the tailgate or a silver-colored amount different from the body color (Havana gold on our test version). But as subtle as they might be, the changes can be felt in the impression left by this SUV: at first glance, the new Kodiaq seems more elegant, more premium.
Skoda’s attention to detail
This is confirmed as soon as you enter the vehicle, where the leather interior of this Cognac Suite (an option at 1880€) almost makes us feel like we’re getting into a German model (you can choose which one). The choice of materials and colors as well as the differences in texture attest to the level of attention paid to details and finishes: it is light years away from the image of the low-cost Skoda of yesteryear…
The dashboard takes up the X-design of the first Kodiaq, but the new 13-inch infotainment screen is much more enjoyable to use, especially since the system now benefits from wireless Smartlink (compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay). The icing on the cake: the brand has even thought of the screen cleaner to get rid of nasty fingerprints!
Technology also makes its way behind the wheel, where the driver can benefit from a nice 10.25″ Virtual Cockpit with customizable counters and, once again, smooth and intuitive operation.
But since the Kodiaq is primarily a family vehicle, it also needs to be convenient and clever. As often with Skoda, there are many storage spaces scattered throughout the cabin, with for example two glove boxes in front of the passenger and a large volume in the central console (including a Phonebox device with cooled induction charging for 2 phones). Children or adults, rear passengers are not forgotten, whether in terms of space or everyday practicality, with a removable storage compartment on the rear tunnel, door trash cans, and sunshades integrated into the doors. However, it is a pity that access to the third row is always so uncomfortable…
Moreover, on many 7-seater vehicles, the presence of this third row often comes at the expense of the trunk, whose volume is then greatly reduced. Not on this Kodiaq, since the luggage compartment retains 340 litres of loading space (more than the Lexus UX!) with 7 people on board. This figure rises to 845 litres under the luggage cover in a 5-seat configuration and a staggering 2035 litres with all the seats folded down!
Diesel is not dead!?
To be in tune with the times, the new Kodiaq of course comes with a hybrid engine under the hood, a 1.5 TSI block with 150 horsepower. But since the Czech company likes to set itself apart from the competition, it also offers its new arrival in a diesel version powered by the 2.0 TDI engine with 150 horsepower, coupled with a DSG7 automatic gearbox (while waiting for a 5-seat iV rechargeable hybrid version).
Thanks to completely revised and corrected suspensions, the Kodiaq adapts much better to terrain movements, even at a sustained pace. While it doesn’t have the precision of a Superb, it is particularly enjoyable, playful and dynamic. And since the aerodynamics has also been improved (with a Cx now at 0.28, which is 10% less than the previous generation), this beautiful baby of 1750 kilos manages to stay around 6.5l/100 km at the end of our very varied and winding route in the central highlands.
For those who still cannot find what they are looking for, a slightly stronger diesel (193 hp) coupled with a 4×4 transmission has also been announced, as well as a brand new PHEV version, which should allow driving nearly 150 km in all electric.
In summary, our opinion on the new Skoda Kodiaq
If it gets its name from “the largest of the bears and terrestrial carnivores,” the Skoda Kodiaq feels more like a comforting bear cub than a terrifying animal. And if it gives off a certain impression of power with its imposing size, it also knows how to be welcoming and pleasant to live with on a daily basis.
In a segment more competitive than it appears, this large 7-seater SUV has serious assets to remain a reference. Against the Peugeot 5008, Hyundai Santa Fe or even Renault Espace and, of course, Tiguan AllSpace, the Kodiaq stands out with its complete equipment and excellent living space… As for its classic petrol and diesel engines, far from appearing outdated, they could precisely convince motorists in search of a “safe value”.
However, it must be recognized that the upgrade desired by the manufacturer also came with an inevitable increase in prices. Thus, the new Skoda Kodiaq is available from 43,970€ for the 5-seater petrol version and 49,550€ for the tried 7-seater Selection model 2.0 TDI 150hp.
