2017 Skoda Kodiaq Review
Car Tested: 2017 Skoda Kodiaq; Road Test No. 857; Test Location: Thiruvananthapuram
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 41.63 Lakhs
The Skoda Kodiaq offers the premium feel of a German SUV having stylish exteriors and comfortable tech-loaded interiors
Skoda has been a brand for enthusiasts and German car lovers since they first entered in India with the Octavia. Now when the craze of SUVs started in India, the Czech brand launched the Yeti. No doubt it was a fantastic car to drive but the Indian market didn’t accept it well. That’s because of it’s compact looks. Now Skoda is coming up with their first seven seater SUV – Kodiaq. Does this Czech machine have its SUV game strong? We drive it on the twisty roads of South India to see how it fares.
Motor Quest: The Skoda Kodiaq is based on the MQB platform which is being shared with the Volkswagen Tiguan. However, the Kodiaq is significantly longer and accommodates 7 seats unlike its VW counterpart It is currently available in India in a single diesel automatic variant.
All the lines and creases are designed in great symphony
Exteriors – Skoda’s minimalist design approach makes their cars look sharp. Same is the case with the Kodiaq. It looks stunning with the prominent lines running across the body giving an aggressive stance to the SUV. The Kodiaq gets full LED headlamps with cornering fog lamps that are placed just below the headlights. You also get sleek LED DRLs outlining the headlights. The signature Skoda grille is quite prominent. The side profile gets a neat shoulder line running from the bonnet all the way to the tail-lights. There are 18-inch multi-spoke alloys. The tail lights are all LEDs too and the C-shaped lights might remind you of the Superb as well.
The dashboard looks beautiful specially with the glossy panel in between
Interiors – The Skoda Kodiaq’s interior gives you a typical posh German cabin feel. Everything you touch feels of great quality. The dashboard design is new and quite distinct compared to the current lineup of Skoda India. It is a layered dashboard having soft touch material on top and bottom with a fantastic glossy finish panel in the middle. There is a three-spoke steering wheel having cruise control and multimedia controls. It has paddle shifts too. The instrument cluster is clean and easy-to-read having a sizeable MID providing a ton of information.
The infotainment system comes loaded with tech including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The Kodiaq gets one of the most advanced infotainment systems
The large 8-inch infotainment system is loaded with tech and operates seamlessly with a user-friendly interface and fantastic touch quality. It comes with USB/AUX/SD Card connectivity along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink tech. You also get an in-built navigation system. Skoda is offering the Canton sound system which churns out excellent sound quality having an external amplifier, subwoofer, central speaker, tweater and mid-range loud speakers. One unique and interesting feature of the system is the Digital Enhancement system in which the driver can speak to the rear passengers via the speakers from the phone mic, which is very useful while you are playing music. The large screen also doubles up as rear view camera display and the Kodiaq comes with front and rear parking sensors along with Auto Park Assist as seen in the new Octavia which helps you park effortlessly. The Kodiaq comes with 10 different ambient lighting colour options that look beautiful in the dark.
The Power Nap Pack comes with special head rests and a blanket for a comfortable drive
In terms of comfort as well the Kodiaq scores high. You get leather seats with driver and front passengers seats being electrically adjustable. You get a clear view all around having a commanding driving position and yes it feels like you are driving an SUV. The second row seats get ample legroom, headroom and shoulder room but the middle passenger might feel uneasy on a long route because of the huge transmission hump. The Kodiaq comes with a 3-zone auto climate control system which is a relief in the heat for rear passengers. The panoramic sunroof is huge and opens too with one touch. You might feel it’ll attract heat to the cabin but it prevents 85% heat from the sun. The second row seats have a unique feature too which is called Power Nap Pack. A set of two blankets is provided attached on the front headrests. There are special rear headrests having a retractable side for a comfortable sleep. You also get sun roller blinds in the second row.
The third row seats are only meant for kids
Now let’s talk about the third row seating. It is strictly meant for children as the under thigh support is poor and the legroom is quite tight for adults. However, the 2nd row can slide forward for practical legroom but it’s not that comfortable for long journeys. The 2nd row comes with 60:40 split while the third row has 50:50 split. The 3rd row folds down by pulling a lever but there is no electronic operation so you need to pull it back with a strap. Boot space is relatively accommodating. With all the rows up you get 270-litres of space, fold down the 3rd row to get 630-litres and if you fold down the 2nd row as well you get a huge 2005-litres of cargo capacity. The tailgate is electric and you can also open the boot by moving your foot under the rear bumper. There are multiple storage spaces including dual glovebox, lower one being cooled.
The 2.0-litre oil-burner scores high in NVH but offers linear performance
Performance – Skoda is offering a single diesel engine option with the Kodiaq in India which is a 2.0-litre TDI unit that produces 150 PS of power and 340 Nm torque. I feel they should have offered the higher tuned 180 PS unit which is used in the Superb. It’s not that the Kodiaq feels underpowered but you don’t get that kick in the pants feeling acceleration. The power delivery is linear and gets progressive in a smooth manner from 2000 RPM. NVH levels are excellent for an oil-burner. Mated to the engine is a super slick 7-speed DSG offering super quick shifts and with the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, the drive is super fun. It is a great cruiser as well doing just 1600 RPM in the top gear at 100 km/hr. Skoda claims a fuel efficiency rating of 16.5 km/l. It has 5 driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Individual and Snow that affects the steering wheel and engine tuning accordingly.
Body roll is there but it’s well controlled and the ride is fantastic
Driving Dynamics – Skoda is spot on this time with the ride quality of the Kodiaq. The 7-seater offers a plush ride that absorbs the undulations like a boss. The suspension handles the rough and smooth quite well. There is minimal vertical movement and since the suspension is on the softer side, you get some amount of body roll while cornering. The steering is light offering easy manoeuvrability in the city and it weighs up quite well as you gain speed to instil confidence. Also, you can make it more weighty with the Sport driving mode. Feedback offered is good and the Kodiaq maintains its line neatly while pushing through the corners. Braking performance is excellent as the 7-seater sheds speed quickly and the pedal bite is ideal.
Skoda has left no stone unturned in the safety department
Safety and After Sales Service – Germans never compromise in the safety department and with the Kodiaq they have offered 9 airbags, ABS, ESP, VSC, Hill Hold and some essential safety features you would expect from a car in this segment. Skoda’s after sales service in India has been quite unconvincing for some owners but the Czech carmaker continues to promise about their improving after sales experience in our country.
The Kodiaq is an appealing package for German SUV enthusiasts
Verdict – The premium SUV segment is getting quite crowded nowadays, specially for a 7-seater. The Kodiaq leans towards being a lifestyle SUV rather than a big brute ladder-on-frame vehicle like the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner. The Kodiaq offers simply the best quality interiors and what lures you are some segment-first comfort-oriented features. If you are looking for an off-road vehicle then the Kodiaq isn’t a good choice. It comes with 4×4 but there are more capable SUVs to go off-road in this segment. But if you want an SUV with polished driving dynamics and you want to arrive in style, then look no further, the Kodiaq ticks the right boxes.
The design of the Kodiaq is its USP, looks very tempting
What’s Cool
* Scintillating Czech design attracts a lot of attention on the road
* The interior looks fantastic too and offers a lot of tech
* The driving dynamics are sorted, just like every other German
* The Kodiaq is loaded with safety tech which makes you feel secure
What’s Not So Cool
* 150 PS engine offers linear acceleration, not that exciting
* 3rd row seat space limited to kids
Alternatives: Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan
Currently the Skoda Kodiaq comes in a single variant
2017 Skoda Kodiaq Specifications
* Engine: 1968cc, DOHC, 4-cylinders
* Power: 150 HP @ 3500-4000 RPM
* Torque: 340 Nm @ 1750-3000 RPM
* Transmission: 7-Speed DSG AT
* 0-100 km/hr: 10.52 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 12 km/l
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Suspension: McPherson Strut, Multi-Element axle
* Tyres: 255/55/18
* Brakes: Discs (Front), Discs (Rear), ABS
* Safety: 9 Airbags, ABS, ESP, TCS, HHC
2017 Skoda Kodiaq Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4697 mm X 1882 mm X 1676 mm
* Boot Space: 270-litres
* Wheelbase: 2791 mm
* Ground Clearance: 188 mm
* Turning Radius: 6.1-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 63-litres
It’ll be interesting to see the sales of Skoda’s first 7-seater SUV in India
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