Yet another all-new model range joins the booming SUV market, this time it is the Skoda Kodiaq range of large five or seven seat, 2WD or 4WD on/off roaders.
Prices start from an eye-catching £21,565 rising through a range of 24 derivatives to £34,050 and deliveries to UK customers start from 6 April. Order books opened last November and the brand has received 30,000 expressions of interest from UK potential customers and over 2,000 confirmed orders.
James Snowden Skoda UK’s head of Product Marketing said at this week’s media launch, “We initially had a sales target of 7,000 units this year but such has been the demand we are now able to supply around 10,000 units but we are right hand drive product limited.”
The Kodiaq is the Czech firm’s first large SUV and as a member of the Volkswagen Group it uses common components such as the scalable MQB platform and a wide range of the latest petrol and diesel engines.
With the SUV market sector growing year on year with record sales there is no shortage of established competitors such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Ford Edge, Nissan X-Trail, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander or step down a shade in size then the Renault Kadjar, SEAT Ateca, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 are just a few of the sales contenders.
What the new Kodiaq offers best of all in this class is huge space and high standard equipment at very competitive prices, just as the Skoda has done with their Superb and Octavia ranges. Kodiaq incidentally is a type of Bear.
Initially the Kodiaq range is offered with S, SE, SE L and Edition trim and equipment levels but Skoda has just announced Scout and Sportline versions to come later this year.
When it comes to engine and five or seven seat model choices the basic S version is five seats only with engine options of the 1.4 TSI 125hp petrol and to come a 2.0 TDI 115hp turbodiesel both with six-speed manual gearboxes.
The SE level has five or seven seat options and more engine choices. There is the 1.4 TSI 125hp unit, the 1.4 TSI 150hp with ACT – Active Cylinder Technology which shuts down two cylinders under light loads to save fuel and 2.0-litre TDI 115hp or 150hp turbodiesel units. The SE is the first level in the range where the 4WD option can be chosen and also a DSG twin-clutch auto gearbox is available.
The SE L level with five and seven seat models is available with the 1.4 TSI 150hp petrol unit manual and auto and 2.0 TDI 150hp and 190hp diesels with the manual or DSG auto gearbox options.
The Edition level has seven seats as standard and the choice of 1.4 TSI 150hp and 2.0 TSI 180hp petrol units plus 2.0 TDI 150hp and 190hp turbodiesel power units with the latter with a DSG auto gearbox and 4WD as standard.
James Snowden, Head of Product Marketing said so far 85% of UK customer orders are for the higher specification SE L and Edition models, 65% are retail customers, 90% have ordered a seven seat version, 60% of customers have ordered a 4WD model, around 80% have ordered a diesel variant and a similar percentage are using Skoda’s PCP finance scheme to buy the vehicle. With a 25% deposit and a 42 month agreement PCP monthly payments start from £209 and rise to £275.
He added that the single most popular version will be the Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI 150hp turbodiesel, manual with 4WD and seven seats priced at £30,650. The most popular petrol version will be the 1.4 TSI 150hp turbo manual with the same SE L spec, seven seats and 4WD priced at £29,110.
Even the base S version has LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather multi-function steering wheel, air-con, Front Assist which includes City Emergency Braking, Kessy Go keyless entry, touchscreen infotainment system, DAB radio and Smartlink for seamless smartphone connectivity. SE versions see items such as 18-inch alloys, cruise control and rear parking sensors, auto lights and wipers and the £1,000 seven-seat option. SE L additions include 19-inch alloys, sat-nav with WiFi, driving mode selector, heated front seats and full LED headlights. The Edition models added spec includes leather upholstery, metallic paint and chrome roof rails plus Lane Keep Assist, high beam alert, wireless phone charging and blind spot detection.
The 4WD system is on-demand, in other words it is an electronically controlled system which constantly calculates the ideal driving torque to the front and rear wheels. When in overrun or light load driving conditions drive is only to the front wheels which saves fuel. There is an additional Off-Road function operated by a simple touch button which adjusts the chassis, engine management and brakes to suit rougher terrain and it applies Hill Descent Control. For those owners that need a tow vehicle the braked towing weights depend on the version chosen, but range from 1,600 to 2,200kg and the vehicles have a Trailer Assist reversing steering function.
The Kodiaq is 4,697mm in length, 1,882mm wide and 1,676mm high so it is visually a substantial looking heavyweight SUV. With its short front and rear overhangs and long 2,790mm wheelbase it looks purposeful and capable as an on/off roader even though it uses the same platform as the highly praised Skoda Superb saloons and estates. At the rear is a huge boot and with all seven seats in use there is still a handy 270-litres of load space. With five seats in use this space increases to 630-litres and with the middle and third row of seats folded there is a massive 2,005-litres of cargo room. In all but the third row of seats the interior is really spacious, the third row is best left for two children. Although the vehicle has a coupe style roofline lowering to the rear, headroom isn’t an issue throughout and visibility for passengers is good. Being a Skoda there are there hallmark ‘Simply Clever’ and neat touches inside in terms of extra storage solutions or even an umbrella in the front door or an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap. Overall the interior quality is good and but there are some areas of hard plastic trim but they are minimal.
As for the body’s exterior visual styling there is the new Skoda family front face inspired by the Superb with sharp dual headlights flanking a prominent wide grille and clamshell bonnet. At the side is a high rising waistline with sculptured side panels leading to the rear end where a wide and high tailgate gives access to the cavernous load space. It might be big but the Kodiaq is very easy to drive and so it will be an easy SUV to live with. The three year 60,000-mile warranty, although not class-leading, gives peace-of- mind motoring.
It’s the size and practicality, high spec, competitive pricing and smart SUV styling they are the standout features of the new Kodiaq. As for its driving performance using so many of the components from other models in the VW Group of brands it is very much as expected. Controlled agile handling, good ride comfort, reasonable steering response and a range of thoroughly modern engines all of which will meet the very different demands that potential owners want from their vehicle.
Most users will opt for the popular 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder 150hp turbodiesel engine I tried and widely used throughout the VW Group brands although the 1.4-litre TSI 150hp turbo petrol unit has considerable merits for lower mileage private users. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel 150hp engine with SE L specification, 4WD and seven-seats seems to me to be the most logical buy in the range for most people as advance sales numbers show. Given its versatility in seating, high level of specification, good fuel economy plus 4WD, the price of £30,650 makes it a competitive buy.
With 340Nm of torque delivered from 1,750rpm this is a strong and responsive engine. It can be a bit noisy under load but we know it well and we know it has potential good fuel economy. Officially it will return 51.4mpg in the Combined Cycle and on my test driving route around rural Somerset the real-life figure was 44.5mpg. With CO2 emissions of 144g/km under the new, (from 1 April this year) VED road tax figures, the First Year cost is £200 reducing to the £140 flat rate for Year two onwards. Company car drivers will pay 30% Benefit-in-Kind tax. Insurance is a competitive Group 17E.
Top speed is 121mph and the zero to 62mph acceleration time is 9.8-seconds so it’s no slouch on roads. With its 4WD system off road driving needs to be confined to roads/tracks and grassy fields. It’s no heavyweight mud-plugger off-roader but with careful use it will be sufficiently grippy for light rural use. Usefully this version can tow 2,000kg so it will be suitable for those that tow caravans, boats and stock/horse trailers.
It’s the sum of all the parts that add up and all at a good price that makes the new Skoda Kodiaq a serious contender in the ever growing SUV sector especially if size and good looks matter.
MILESTONES: Skoda Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI 150hp, 4WD, 7-seat SUV. Price: £30,650 (expected best selling model). Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbodiesel, 150hp, 340Nm of torque from 1,750rpm, 6-speed manual with on-demand 4WD. Performance: 121mph, 0-62mph 9.8-seconds, Combined Cycle 51.4mpg (44.5mpg on test), CO2 144g/km, new VED road tax cost £200 then £140 Year Two onwards, BIK company car tax 30%. Insurance: Group 17E. Warranty: 3-years/60,000-miles. Dimensions/capacities: L 4,697mm, W 1,882mm, H 1,676mm, load space 270 to 2,005-litres, 5-doors/7-seats. For: Attractive pricing, high specification, wide range of models, 7-seat and 4WD model options, good looks, roomy and good ride comfort. Against: Very little without being very picky. Miles Better News Agency
