The Skoda Kodiaq Undercuts Its Own Relatives on Price, Not Ambition
All three reviews agree this second generation genuinely improves on a car that was already excellent, without losing the value positioning that made the original such a surprise hit.
Illustration for editorial purposes
Following Up a Genuine Fan Favourite
The outgoing generation earned a lot of goodwill from reviewers and owners alike, which made this update a genuinely risky proposition — mess with a winning formula and you risk alienating exactly the buyers who made it successful in the first place.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Seven-seat SUV (five-seat option available) |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.5 TSI mild-hybrid (148bhp), 2.0 TDI diesel (148bhp/190bhp), plug-in hybrid (201bhp) |
| Transmission | 7-speed DSG automatic |
| 0–62mph | 9.5 sec (1.5 TSI) to 7.5 sec (2.0 TSI 4x4) |
| Boot space | 910 litres (five-seat), 340 litres (seven-seat, all rows up) |
| Electric range (PHEV) | Up to 75 miles official |
Full Review Summary
What Car?
What Car? recommended the mild-hybrid 148bhp 1.5 TSI as the pick of the range, measuring a 9.5-second 0-62mph time that beats the mild-hybrid Peugeot 5008's 11.3 seconds in the same test. They rated interior quality as broadly comparable to the Kia Sorento and Peugeot 5008, though flagged flex in the centre console under pressure and low-rent-feeling climate control knobs as specific quality gripes. Their significant caveat was that the plug-in hybrid can't be specified as a seven-seater, a genuine practical limitation for larger families wanting the most efficient powertrain.
Top Gear
Top Gear praised genuinely useful plug-in hybrid real-world range, estimating 50-60 miles in practice against a 75-mile official figure, and rated it as one of the more usable PHEV systems precisely because performance doesn't noticeably suffer once the battery depletes. They noted rising prices compared with the original's more affordable positioning, though still rated the car as one of the most well-rounded options in its class. Fast-charging capability at up to 40kW was highlighted as a genuine convenience for PHEV owners without home charging access.
Autocar
Autocar's road test praised genuinely improved interior space from an extra 61mm of length, describing rear legroom as approaching S-Class levels of stretch-out room. They found the new column-mounted gear selector stalk initially confusing, since it now shares space with 14 different functions previously split across separate controls, though most testers adapted within a day. Fuel economy in real-world testing beat the official WLTP figure for the mild-hybrid petrol, a genuinely unusual result worth noting.
Trims & Engines at a Glance
The plug-in hybrid is the only Kodiaq restricted to five seats — every petrol and diesel version offers seven as standard, with all-wheel drive reserved for the more powerful engines.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodiaq 1.5 TSI e-TEC 150 SE / SE L | 1.5L 4-cyl mild-hybrid petrol, FWD | 148bhp | 7-speed DSG automatic | SUV (5 or 7 seats) | 9.7s–9.9s |
| Kodiaq 2.0 TSI 204 SportLine | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, AWD | 201bhp | 7-speed DSG automatic | SUV (7 seats) | 7.5s |
| Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 150 SE / SE L | 2.0L 4-cyl diesel, FWD | 148bhp | 7-speed DSG automatic | SUV (5 or 7 seats) | 9.6s–9.8s |
| Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193 SportLine | 2.0L 4-cyl diesel, AWD | 190bhp | 7-speed DSG automatic | SUV (7 seats) | 8.0s |
| Kodiaq iV (PHEV) SE / SE L | 1.5L petrol + electric motor, FWD | 204bhp | 6-speed automatic | SUV (5 seats only) | 8.2s–8.4s |
| Kodiaq vRS | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo petrol, AWD | 261bhp | 7-speed DSG automatic | SUV (7 seats) | 6.4s |
Trim walk runs SE → SE L → SportLine → L&K, with vRS sitting apart as the performance flagship. The PHEV's 25.7kWh battery gives up to 71 miles of electric-only range. A broad exterior colour range is offered. Check Skoda's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Genuinely spacious cabin and boot, even in seven-seat form
- Wide, capable engine range including a strong PHEV
- Competitive pricing against key seven-seat rivals
- Real-world fuel economy that matches or beats official figures
Weak points
- Plug-in hybrid not available as a seven-seater
- Some interior materials feel less premium than the price suggests
- New gear selector stalk takes adjustment
- Prices have risen noticeably versus the original generation
Who It Actually Suits
Families needing genuine seven-seat practicality without paying premium-badge prices. If the plug-in hybrid's efficiency matters most to you, you'll need to accept the five-seat-only limitation that comes with it.
Common Skoda Kodiaq Parts & Costs
- Skoda Kodiaq Alternator
- Skoda Kodiaq Battery
- Skoda Kodiaq Brake Discs
- Skoda Kodiaq Brake Pads
- Skoda Kodiaq Cabin Air Filter
- Skoda Kodiaq Engine Mount
- Skoda Kodiaq Exhaust System
- Skoda Kodiaq Fog Lights
- Skoda Kodiaq Front Bumper
- Skoda Kodiaq Front Suspension
- Skoda Kodiaq Fuel Pump
- Skoda Kodiaq Grille
- Skoda Kodiaq Headlights
- Skoda Kodiaq Radiator
- Skoda Kodiaq Rear Bumper
- Skoda Kodiaq Rear Shock Absorber
- Skoda Kodiaq Rear Springs
- Skoda Kodiaq Spark Plugs
- Skoda Kodiaq Tail Lights
- Skoda Kodiaq Timing Belt
- Skoda Kodiaq Wing Mirror
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