Skoda Kodiaq Scout Review
Car Tested: Skoda Kodiaq Scout; Road Test No. 1141; Test Location: Nagpur
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 41,27,976/-
With its attractive looks and comfortable cabin, the Kodiaq Scout offers SUV buyers a reliable and fun to drive alternative
Skoda’s flagship vehicle, the Kodiaq has been around for a while now. It has enjoyed the position of being an elegant, very corporate full-grown SUV in India that has attracted a very niche set of buyers. Previously offered in 2 variants – Style and L&K, Skoda is now offering a new trim with a couple of off-road elements and calling it the Scout. While the body, engine and space largely remain the same, the new variant does offer some equipment to call it’s own. Taking it around the scenic route of Madhya Pradesh’s Pench National Park, let’s take a look at what the fuss is all about.
The black and silver design elements give the Scout a rugged stance
Exteriors – Skoda retains almost all of the design elements from the siblings and throws a lot of silver around. You get the all-black grille and a big new silver scuff plate on the bumper. Move to the side and the change is in the form of black plastic claddings and a fresh set of dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels. Silver ‘Scout’ badges on each of the front fenders distinguish it from the rest while some silver finds its way on the ORVMs too. The Scout is 8 mm longer than its siblings but that’s nearly negligible. Move on to the rear and you’re greeted with more shiny silver with a new diffuser. The most prominent and exclusive change is the ‘Skoda’ lettering. It replaces the old badging and will be part of all new Skoda vehicles from now on.
The Scout’s all-black cabin feels luxurious, upmarket and sporty
Interiors – Skoda has bid adieu to the light beige interior and offered the Scout with a new all-black Alcantara upholstery which is honestly a welcome change. It makes the car look more premium and outdoorsy, at least in the first look. It reminded me of the new Skoda Octavia RS. Faux-wood inserts are present on the dashboard and on the door pads along with the ‘Scout’ badge.
The Scout gets most of the necessary equipment and features
The Scout slots in between the base Style and top-end L&K, combining features and equipment from both
The Scout is slotted between Style and L&K making it Rs. 1 lakh more expensive than the former and almost Rs. 3 lakhs cheaper than the latter. Therefore, it misses out on some equipment offered by the fully-loaded model. It gets the same kit excluding the Virtual Cockpit instrument and the 360-degree camera. The 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android connectivity, reverse camera with front and rear sensors and 3-zone climate control is all part of the package. What is exclusive to the Scout is its tyre pressure monitoring sensor. The Canton sound system, ambient lighting, and Scout’s huge panoramic sunroof coupled with its dark interior is an extremely feel-good place to be in.
While the second row is very spacious, the third row is only suitable for children
In terms of comfort, the Kodiaq shines through, just like the standard car. The leather seats feel a little on the stiffer side but the side cushioning on the front seats will hug and keep you in place. The driving position is brilliant. You sit quite high with a clear view. I could drive this car without breaking a sweat for long and that’s saying something. The second-row seats get ample legroom, headroom, shoulder room and under-thigh support. The middle passenger might not be as comfortable as others due to the protruding transmission tunnel and positioning of the rear AC vents. Skoda has tried to compensate that with the ‘Nap Pack’ that offers 2 blankets and some extra support from the rear headrests.
Even with the third row of seats up, there is adequate boot space
Commanding driving position, ample of space and comfortable seats make the Kodiaq Scout ideal for long journeys
The 3rd row is strictly for children and apparently me because I did fit in. Felt a little claustrophobic but I fit in and Skoda gets +1 for that. Storage figures remain the same as the other variants with adequate space to keep your belongings and nitty-gritties.
The Scout is powered by the same diesel engine with a 7-Speed DSG
Performance – Despite badging the Scout as an off-roader, Skoda has shied away from offering a more powerful engine on this one. Hence, it runs on the same 2.0-litre diesel unit that cranks 150 PS of power and 340 Nm of torque. The SUV is heavy, weighs 1820 kgs (kerb weight), does not get Superb’s 180 PS unit but still doesn’t feel underpowered. The engine is mostly quiet for an oil-burner but growls when you grind the throttle to overtake or reach the 2500 RPM mark. Mated to a 7-speed DSG, the SUV offers very smooth gear shifts. What’s new is the addition of an all-exclusive off-road mode in addition to the other 5 driving modes – Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow. Functional under a speed of 30 km/hr, the new mode alters the engine, traction and electronics of the car to get you out of tricky situations or surprising leopard sightings at Pench.
The Scout boasts of great ride and handling dynamics
Driving Dynamics – The plush, broad seats come in handy when the Scout wobbles over speed-breakers and broken roads because the suspension is a little on the stiffer side. Does the suspension handle well? Oh, absolutely yes. Could it have been a little better? Ah, yes to that too. You get some body-roll while cornering but the steering! The steering brought a smile on my face if I already wasn’t smirking. I was greeted by unfazed cattle on the road and the Scout’s precise steering and handling made it fell like a walk in the park. Kind of where they belong. The brakes bite hard and will bring you to a neck-breaking halt if not applied with caution.
Skoda is offering the Scout with 9 airbags and a 6-year warranty
Safety and After Sales Service – Skoda leaves no stone unturned in the safety department and offers 9 airbags, ABS, ESP, VSC, Hill Hold, etc. in line with the segment. Though the quality of their after-sales service in India is still debatable, they are offering 6 years of Skoda warranty, assist and 4 years of maintenance in their ‘Peace of Mind’ initiative.
The Scout commands a premium for its sophisticated & corporate nature
Verdict – The Skoda Kodiaq Scout is priced at Rs. 33.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) and the Germans have gone out on a limb here asking for so much premium for a car that rivals the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. Both SUVs offer more power and are priced in the late 30s. Maybe that’s what the Scout is all about. It is a very corporate, sophisticated and well-mannered SUV that doesn’t like to get its hands dirty. Hence all the off-road duty is done at the touch of a single button complemented by the silver scuff plates and 188 mm of ground clearance. In my opinion, it’s the most good-looking of the 3 with ample power in the hood for a ‘poised’ trot on bad roads.
The Scout gets an exclusive off-road driving mode
What’s Cool
* Head-turner looks, grabs attention on the road
* Premium interior
* Handles well while looking very chic
What’s Not So Cool
* Power, power and more power
* Could’ve been priced more aggressively and below Style
Alternatives: – Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda CR-V, Jeep Compass Trailhawk, Mahindra Alturas G4, Hyundai Tucson
Skoda should offer the Kodiaq with the 180 PS engine from the Superb
Skoda Kodiaq Scout Specifications
* Engine: 1968cc, 4-Cyl, Diesel
* Power: 150 PS @ 3500-4000 RPM
* Torque: 340 Nm @ 1750-3000 RPM
* Transmission: 7-Speed DSG AT
* 0-100 km/hr: 10.52 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 11-13 km/l
* Fuel Type: Diesel
* Tyre Size: 255/55/18 (Front & Rear)
* Suspension: McPherson Strut (Front), Multi Element Axle (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 9 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, VSC, Hill Hold
Skoda Kodiaq Scout Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4697 mm X 1882 mm X 1676 mm
* Wheelbase: 2791 mm
* Turning Radius: 6.1-metres
* Ground Clearance: 188 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 63-litres
* Boot Space: 630-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1820 kgs
Would you consider the Kodiaq Scout over the Ford Endeavour?
Further Reading –
2017 Skoda Kodiaq Review
Skoda Kodiaq Pros & Cons [Video]
Skoda Kodiaq Pros & Cons In Hindi [Video]
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