Ultimate Family Car Unveiled: The Skoda Kodiaq

author: FutureCar Staff    

Skoda is faced with the challenge of creating a new generation of its Kodiaq SUV that surpasses its predecessor while maintaining its reputation as a practical and family-friendly car manufacturer. This new Kodiaq promises to be roomier, more technologically advanced, and more luxurious than before, without compromising Skoda's core values. CAR had an exclusive preview of the new SUV ahead of its official reveal, providing a detailed look at its design and features.

The new Kodiaq retains its recognizable appearance but with some stylish updates. It features aerodynamic wheel inserts, a contrast-color D-pillar, and a thin light bar integrated into the grille. The car's color, Bronx Bronze, is a new shade introduced with the Kodiaq. Skoda's head of exterior design, Karl Neuhold, explains that the goal was to create a more sculptural design that showcases the car's functionality and spaciousness. The rear lights are connected by a single piece of transparent red trim, and there is a deliberate absence of chrome in the trimmings to focus on sustainability.

The interior of the new Kodiaq has been carefully designed to prioritize user-friendliness and ergonomics. Skoda has retained physical switchgear, including new Smart Dials, which allow for easy control of various functions. The dashboard features digital instruments and a large 13-inch display, running on VW Group's latest infotainment software. The car offers three interior trim designs, including options for fabric seats, suede-like microfiber cloth with yellow stitching, or treated and tanned leather produced sustainably. The center console provides ample storage space and the option for a twin wireless charging pocket.

The new Kodiaq utilizes Skoda's refreshed MQBevo platform, which allows for maximum space utilization. The rear legroom is spacious, and the rear space includes high-powered USB-C sockets. The car offers a removable storage area that clips over the center tunnel and provides additional storage space. The luggage capacity is significantly increased compared to the previous generation, with the five-seat model offering 910 liters of boot space and the seven-seat model providing 340 liters or 845 liters with the third row's seats folded up and down respectively.

The new Kodiaq will be available with a range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, and an iV plug-in hybrid. Skoda has introduced mild-hybrid power to the Kodiaq for the first time, with a 1.5 TSI EA211 Evo2 engine. The plug-in hybrid variant, called the Kodiaq iV, features a turbocharged 1.5-liter TSI engine, an electric motor, and a 25.7 kWh battery pack. Skoda claims it has a 62-mile electric range and is capable of DC fast charging. The possibility of a new-generation Kodiaq vRS model has been hinted at but not officially confirmed.

The new Skoda Kodiaq is expected to go on sale in early 2024, with prices starting around £38,000.

FutureCar Staff