Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Price, specifications, features compared

The Volkswagen Tayron, in its sporty R-Line avatar, is the German carmaker’s new flagship offering in India. It is built on the MQB Evo platform that also underpins the Skoda Kodiaq. Moreover, both are assembled locally using CKD (completely knocked-down) kits and are priced similarly. So, let’s compare the Tayron R-Line and the top-spec Kodiaq Selection L&K to see which appears more compelling on paper.

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Dimensions

The Tayron is longer and has a bigger boot but is also heavier

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Dimensions
	Tayron R-Line	Kodiaq Selection L&K	Difference
Length (mm)	4,792	4,758	+34
Width (mm)	1,866	1,864	+2
Height (mm)	1,655	1,679	-24
Wheelbase (mm)	2,789	2,791	-2
Boot space (litres)	345	281	+64
Kerb weight (kg)	1,864	1,825	+39

While both SUVs have a more or less similar width and wheelbase, the Volkswagen Tayron is 34mm longer than the Kodiaq and offers 64 litres of additional boot space. However, the Skoda is 24mm taller and 39kg lighter than the Volkswagen.

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Engine specifications

Both are powered by the same EA888 engine

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Engine specifications
	Tayron R-Line	Kodiaq Selection L&K
Engine	2.0-litre turbo-petrol	2.0-litre turbo-petrol
Power (hp)	204	204
Torque (Nm)	320	320
Transmission	7-speed DCT	7-speed DCT
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD

Both the Tayron and Kodiaq are built on the MQB Evo platform and pack the same EA888 2.0-litre TSI engine with identical outputs, mated to the same 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to all wheels (AWD).

Volkswagen claims that the Tayron R-Line does a 0-100kph run in 7.3 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 224kph. While Skoda has not given the Kodiaq’s performance figures, it is likely that its lower kerb weight makes it marginally quicker than the Volkswagen. While Skoda claims a 14.86kpl mileage for the Kodiaq, the Tayron’s fuel-efficiency numbers have not yet been revealed.

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Exterior

Features are similar, but the Tayron has larger alloys

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Exterior Ad
	Tayron R-Line	Kodiaq Selection L&K
Headlights	Auto projector LED	Auto projector LED
Cornering function	Yes	Yes
Tail-lights	Connected LED	Connected LED
DRLs	Connected LED	LED
Front fog lamps	No	No
Rear fog lamp	LED	No
Other Illumination	Illuminated logos	Illuminated grille
Wheels	19-inch	18-inch with aero inserts
Door handles	Body coloured	Body coloured
Rear spoiler	Yes	Yes
ORVM functions	Powered, memory, heating, auto-dimming	Powered, memory, heating, auto-dimming
Roof rails	Yes	Yes
Shark-fin antenna	Yes	Yes
Colour	Mono tones	Mono tones

While both SUVs come with all-LED lighting, the Tayron gets illuminated logos at both ends, and the Kodiaq sports illuminated lighting elements on the grille. The Tayron also has fog lamps at the rear and 19-inch wheels, a size bigger than the Kodiaq’s.

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Interior and features

The Tayron gets a bigger screen and a head-up display too

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Interior and features
	Tayron R-Line	Kodiaq Selection L&K
Infotainment screen	15-inch	12.9-inch
Driver’s display	10.25-inch	10.25-inch
Android Auto, Apple CarPlay	Wireless	Wireless Ad
Audio system	11-speaker Harman Kardon	13-speaker Canton
Head-up display (HUD)	Yes	No
Sunroof	Panoramic	Panoramic
Climate control	3-zone	3-zone
Seat upholstery	Leatherette	Leatherette
Wireless phone charger	Dual	Dual
Powered front seats	Yes	Yes
Front seat features	Memory, massage, ventilation, heating	Memory, massage, ventilation, heating
Heated steering wheel	Yes	No
Powered tailgate	With gesture functions	With gesture functions
Rear sunshade	Yes	Yes
Ambient lighting	30-colour	64-colour
Front centre armrest	Sliding, with storage space	Sliding, with storage space
Rear centre armrest	Yes, with cup holders	Yes, with cup holders
Push-button start/stop	Yes	Yes
USB ports	Type-C, Type-A	Type-C, Type-A
Connected car tech	Yes	Yes

Volkswagen and Skoda have packed their flagship ICE SUVs in India with a lot of features, including digital displays, 3-zone climate control, a powered tailgate and a panoramic sunroof. However, the Tayron R-Line takes things up a notch by offering a larger 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a heated steering wheel and a head-up display (HUD), which are missing on the Skoda Kodiaq Selection L&K trim. However, the Kodiaq’s sound system has more speakers than the Tayron’s.

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Driving tech

Drive modes are identical on both 3-row SUVs

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Driving tech
	Tayron R-Line	Kodiaq Selection L&K
Drive modes	Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual, Offroad, Snow Ad	Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual, Offroad, Snow
Paddle shifters	Yes	Yes
Cruise control	Adaptive	Adaptive

Both SUVs have an AWD setup and identical drive modes. As both are automatic-only offerings, they get paddleshifters for a more hands-on experience.

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Safety features

Kodiaq misses out on ADAS, but both have a 5-star Euro NCAP rating

Volkswagen Tayron vs Skoda Kodiaq: Safety features
	Tayron R-Line	Kodiaq Selection L&K
Airbags	9	9
ADAS	Level 2	No
Camera setup	360-degree	360-degree
Parking sensors	Front and rear	Front and rear
Electronic parking brake	Yes	Yes
Disc brakes	All four	All four
TPMS	Yes	Yes
IRVM	Auto-dimming	Auto-dimming
Hill start assist	Yes	Yes
Hill descent control	Yes	Yes
ESC	Yes	Yes

Like the driving tech, their safety suite is also similar, with features such as 9 airbags, a 360-degree camera, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold and disc brakes on all wheels. Both the Tayron and Kodiaq offerings received a 5-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating when they were tested in 2025 and 2024, respectively.