2018 Skoda Kodiaq review, road test

The Czech brand’s first middle-of-the-road SUV promises much, but does it deliver enough luxury SUV to justify the price? We put it under the microscope.

Published on Feb 02, 2018 06:00:00 AM

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150hp version of Volkswagen’s 2.0 litre diesel is smooth and very refined.

Alloys look a bit small, but 235/55 R18 tyres are good for our roads.

'C'-shaped LEDs are a Skoda signature; note crystal like detailing.

The Kodiaq currently comes in only one generously loaded version. You get leather seats, LED lights all round, cornering lights, drowsiness sensor, headlight washers and smart-timed defoggers for the mirrors and rear windscreen. You get two types of brake assist, hydraulic and mechanical, multi-collision prevention, pre-safe (pre-fill) and an electrical handbrake with an Auto Hold function. Both front and rear get parking sensors, you get a parking camera and hands-free parking as well to help you squeeze into those tight gaps. You get a class-leading nine airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, active front headrests and fuel cut-off in the event of a crash. For entertainment and connectivity, there’s an 8.0-inch TFT screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amundsen navigation from Skoda. The screen works fabulously, operations are slick and even handling difficult tasks tend to be easier on this system. You even get an app called Boss Connect that allows you to use your phone like a remote from the back seat. And like the E-class, you can alter the ambient light to suit your taste – there are 10 colours. There’s even a removable rear parcel shelf that stores under the floor, roller blinds for the rear windows, small dustbins in the doors and a slender space saver tyre under the floor.