The Skoda Kodiaq kick-started the firm's highly recommendable range of SUVs and it's now due for a brand new version in 2024. We get an early prototype drive to see if the early signs are good...
On sale March 2024 (est) | Price from £37,000 (est)
Some of us know Kanye West for his more recent association of Yeezy trainers and the Kardashian family, but in the world of music, he is arguably one of the few artists who managed to release three great consecutive albums. His debut release ‘The College Dropout’ kick-started it all and remains a favourite among fans to this day.
The Skoda Kodiaq is the firm’s SUV equivalent of that first album, proving to be a hit when it set foot in the Large SUV class. The smaller Skoda Karoq and Skoda Kamiq that followed successfully continued to be strong contenders in their class.
Well, a second generation Kodiaq is on the way. With production beginning at the turn of 2024, it promises to offer its familiar mix of value for money and interior space wrapped up in a chunky SUV bodystyle.
As before, the Kodiaq shares its underpinnings with other VW Group models, including the Seat Tarraco and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace with space for up to seven occupants.
Perhaps the biggest news is the redesigned interior that includes all the latest tech, plus, there’s now a little more space in the third row of seats.
Prices, trim levels and standard equipment will be confirmed in winter, but there will be the choice of a standard Kodiaq and a sportier looking SportLine version. While the performance vRS has not been confirmed, expect it to join the range even later.
What’s the Skoda Kodiaq like to drive?
At launch there will be a 1.5-litre petrol producing 148bhp, with mild hybrid technology to bolster performance and fuel economy. The latest version is more refined than before, being quieter and sounding smoother. The minor level of vibration you could sometimes feel in its predecessor has been ironed out, and the engine switching to its fuel-saving two cylinder mode is much smoother.
Performance is adequate rather than sparkling, but if you want more performance, a 2.0-litre TSI with 201bhp will be available. At least the automatic gearbox is pretty quick to shift down a gear to help you get going.
Speaking of which, since 97% of Kodiaq buyers went for the automatic gearbox, all engines come with this as standard now. If you fancy a diesel, there are two options to choose from, with 148bhp and 190bhp. The latter is the only Kodiaq to come with four-wheel drive, as well as seven seats.
The entry level diesel provides a muscular power delivery from low engine speeds and feels more capable than the petrol at hauling a fully-packed Kodiaq with occupants and luggage. We suspect this engine is a touch overkill if your journeys consist of short school run trips, but as a long distance cruiser that can also tow, it still makes sense.
The top-tiered diesel isn’t quite as sweet, feeling less urgent and revving a little more slowly through the rev range, but it is quieter with less diesel clatter filtering through into the interior.
There won’t be a ‘regular’ hybrid version, but there is a plug-in hybrid (arriving in the summer of 2024) combining a petrol engine with an electric motor and a 26kWh battery. This will be enough for the Kodiaq to drive around 60 miles on pure electric power.
As before, adaptive suspension is available, which Skoda now calls Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) Pro, and lets you stiffen or soften the ride at the touch of a button, depending on the drive mode you are in. We only got to sample this in the Normal setting.
There’s a bit of a thump and a minor amount of vertical movement in your seat when dealing with speed bumps, otherwise the ride is comfortable, remaining settled and isolating occupants from the road surface well. We’ll have to see whether DCC Pro remains an expensive option and if it’s worth the extra over the standard setup, though.
A Progressive Steering system is also available and perhaps makes a bigger difference in everyday driving. It feels meaty and precise, helping the driver quickly build confidence, whether they’re threading their way around town traffic or heading down a county road. The system also quickens the steering at low speeds to help with parking and low speed manoeuvres.
Road noise is well isolated against, while double-glazed front windows are available to help further trim out wind noise.
What’s it like inside?
You’ll have to wait until October before the Kodiaq’s interior is unveiled, but it should feel familiar to those who’ve spent time in the outgoing model. You still sit nice and high and the front seats are available with a massaging option for the first time.
The boxy proportions means the Kodiaq remains generally quite easy to see out of. LED headlights are standard on all models, while a matrix option that automatically shapes the light pattern on high beam to avoid dazzling other road users is now 15% brighter than before.
For the first time in a Skoda, the gear selector is now located on the steering column, which frees up an additional 2.1- litres of storage space on the centre console. That’s enough for the wireless charging pad (that’s also now cooled) to now accommodate two devices.
A 12.9in touchscreen infotainment system similar to what you’d find in the fully-electric Enyaq also features, with a conveniently placed display cleaner (think of a miniature whiteboard cleaner your teacher used at school) housed in the centre console for when you need to wipe off fingerprints. Skoda is also keen to point out that the Kodiaq dashboard will include useful physical controls to complement the touchscreen, so it should be easy to use.
The driver gets a 10.3in digital instrument panel, while a head-up display is available for the first time.
Just like in the Enyaq coupe, a removable tray that mounts on top of the centre tunnel can be had to bring additional cupholders and storage space for those in the second row of seats. As before, the second-row seat base can slide back and forth, while the backrest reclines for additional comfort on longer journeys.
Those with the seven seat option will now have an extra 15mm of headroom in the third row of seats, which may not sound like much, but should reduce the amount of ducking a teenager will have to do to avoid brushing their head on the roof lining.
Five-seat versions of the Kodiaq now have an even larger 910 litre boot, growing by 75-litres. The seven seater’s version continues to lose a little space due to those fold-away third row seats, but still offers up to 845 litres with five seats in place. That should still be a match for the outgoing five seater model’s ability to fit nine carry-on suitcases (one less than in the Peugeot 5008).
Keyword: 2024 Skoda Kodiaq review