The new Skoda Kodiaq: We drove the 2nd generation of the Bourgeois hit

• Estimated Price: Starting from NIS 215,000
• Competitors: Mitsubishi Outlander, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, Nissan X-Trail
• We Liked: Spaciousness, trunk, ride comfort
• We Didn’t Like: Performance with the 1.5-liter engine, price increase

Skoda is very proud of the Kodiaq, which they refer to as their flagship SUV. For them, the Kodiaq is a kind of flagship for the brand, and they have a very good reason to think so. With 866,000 units sold since its launch in 2016, and the fact that even in its final days, the outgoing model was still the best in the 7-seater crossover category, it's hard to argue with this success.

Not just in terms of sales — that's not how the quality of a car is measured — but because it was simply an excellent product. A combination of spaciousness, quality, practicality, good and efficient engines, and for many years, competitive prices — no wonder it was the first choice for both fleet and private customers. And precisely because of this, Skoda was very, very conservative (more so than usual) when designing the new generation.

Indeed, at first glance during the global launch, I admit I wondered, "You had 8 years to develop a new generation, and this is what you managed to do?" But after a second and third drive, I understood that it actually takes a fair amount of self-confidence to say, "We know what we have, we know what needs to change, and what must remain untouched."

Design: The exterior design of the second-generation Kodiaq retains its recognizable features. It is less square and chiselled than the outgoing model, a bit rounder, but still conveys the brand’s familiar practicality. The grille is larger, and with the lighting package in higher trim levels, a horizontal light strip is integrated into it (similar to the electric Enyaq). The external dimensions have increased by 6 cm, but it remains a vehicle with a lot of presence and immediate recognition.

Interior: The most significant change is in the interior. The simple and practical design of the previous generation’s cabin received criticism from the start, but it proved to stand the test of time. The current generation doesn’t lose any of that practicality but wraps it in a more advanced, interesting, and sophisticated look. In terms of usability, it still has a split lower and upper glove compartment and plenty of storage solutions, which have improved with the relocation of the "gear lever" to the steering column, freeing up storage space in the center console. The combination of fabrics, textures, and materials in the cabin is very pleasing without being gaudy or overdone. Speaking of the center console, it is large and high but made of soft rubber exactly where the knee touches it, and the two 15-watt wireless charging pads are also internally cooled — again, those small touches of Skoda's clever practicality.

But the main focus in the driver's area is the use of a 13-inch screen for the multimedia system, which displays data clearly and is easy to navigate, with very good resolution and responsiveness, while still retaining physical dials for climate control. We were less impressed with the multifunction central button, which switches between air conditioning functions, driving mode controls (if equipped), and audio volume. Missed the function you wanted? Keep pressing until you find it again. And in terms of ergonomics, combining the wiper and signal operations on the same stalk takes some getting used to: even during our last drive, we activated the wipers when we wanted to signal.

The second-row passengers have air vents, climate control, charging sockets, and Skoda's clever solution of a plastic box that "rides" on the floor hump, providing additional storage. Of course, it can be removed if three passengers are seated.

With no change to the wheelbase, the Kodiaq continues to offer a spacious second-row seat that slides on a rail. This allows for adjusting the legroom for second-row passengers at the expense of the third row. This means that when pushed all the way back, the legroom is excellent, but when trying to give more space to children in the third row, it becomes tight. I explicitly mentioned children because you won't want to seat anything beyond that back there.

Trunk: While the wheelbase hasn't grown, the increase in overall length has allowed for an increase in trunk space. It now stands at 340 liters, a significant improvement over the 233 liters of the outgoing model and one of the largest among non-American-sized 7-seater vehicles. This volume already allows for considerable cargo even with all seats in use, which is exceptional compared to competitors' volumes (120 liters in the X-Trail, around 150 liters in the Mitsubishi Outlander). And for the competition’s information, the Kodiaq still manages to include a full-size spare tire beneath the trunk floor.

Features: Overall, the new Kodiaq brings a change in trim level names. Like in the electric Enyaq, names such as Business, Style, Ambition, etc., have been replaced by three trim packages called "Loft," "Lounge," and "Suite." So far, that's the general statement. Each of these trim levels has its standard and optional features, making things a bit complicated and less relevant until the equipment packages arriving in Israel are finalized. In general, "Loft" starts with excellent-looking recycled fabric upholstery with colorful stitching across it, manually adjustable seats (electric adjustment as an option), "Lounge" adds full artificial leather, heated seats, and more, while "Suite" will offer seat ventilation as well. On top of the changes in naming, there are options like a head-up display, over-the-air (OTA) updates, voice assistant, remote opening services, vehicle location, and even the ability to move the car in and out of parking spaces via a mobile phone if local app support is available.

Safety: The new Kodiaq comes with the familiar list of advanced safety systems plus a few additions. In the additions category, Skoda calls high-sensitivity sensors "nano radars," which are supposed to improve and refine the detection capabilities of the safety systems, including an excellent speed sign recognition system, the ability to save a parking maneuver in the vehicle's memory for automatic execution, automatic braking when detecting crossing traffic at intersections, warning of passing vehicles including cyclists, and more.

Performance: During the launch, all available engine versions from Skoda were presented. These include two gasoline engines with 1.5 and 2.0 liters, producing 150 and 204 horsepower respectively, a 2.0-liter diesel engine with 150 or 193 horsepower, and a plug-in hybrid combining a 1.5-liter engine with an electric boost for 204 horsepower and a 19.7 kWh battery allowing for over 100 kilometers of electric range. The 150-horsepower gasoline model is expected to arrive in Israel, and possibly the diesel in the future. The plug-in hybrid, which is not offered with 7 seats, is not planned at this time.

That's why most of our driving was done with the most relevant 1.5-liter gasoline engine. If the specs sound familiar, it’s because, like the platform, the engines carry over from the previous generation. The change, if it can be called that, is the integration of a mild 48-volt hybrid system. In terms of performance, it’s not fast or exciting, earning at most the rating of "does the job" as long as the demands are moderate. If more is required, the engine can be felt and heard straining. What helps it perform at its best is the gearbox: a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission that responds reasonably fast and seems to have eliminated the low-speed shudder, offering very smooth shifts in the lower gears.

A spin with the 193-horsepower diesel engine reveals a very impressive power unit. Lots of torque and flexibility require less work from the gearbox. Even the road handling was slightly better, probably due to the added weight on the front wheels.

Ride Comfort and Handling: Ride comfort in the new model was very good in terms of absorbing bumps. Even without adaptive dampers and on large 19-inch wheels with low-profile 50-series tires, the result was quite good. This is paired with very comfortable seats even after nearly 200 kilometers of continuous driving. Noise insulation from the engine (which strains too much, as mentioned) was good, even in the diesel version. Wind noise from the roof and the front pillars was only heard at 120 km/h and above.

The road handling is safe, predictable, with lots of grip and a strong sense of security behind the wheel, even under load. Like the previous generation, it’s not engaging or fun, with steering feedback being the minimum required to understand what’s happening with the wheels and no more.

The Bottom Line

In a world obsessed with innovation and the notion that if something isn’t revolutionary, it’s not "worth it," Skoda took a surprisingly conservative approach in developing this model. They used the same platform, engines, and gearboxes, making only a series of improvements—some significant like the new cabin design, others less so like increased cargo space, and some minor adjustments in the suspension. The Czechs knew exactly what they had, what worked, and what needed changing, and they executed these adjustments precisely and thoughtfully.

The Kodiaq is not without its flaws, but it continues to offer the same advantages that made it a global and local success, with the second generation following the same path. The only regret may be its price angle. According to Skoda representatives, the price will no longer start at NIS 200,000 but will begin at NIS 215,000 due to new trim levels replacing the base version. While the private market might justify this price increase, it will make things challenging in the fleet market, which is crucial for the manufacturer and importer in Israel.

Technical Details: Skoda Kodiaq 1.5L Mild Hybrid

• Engine, Drive: Gasoline, Turbo, 4 Cylinders
• Power/Torque: 150 hp / 25.5 kgm
• Transmission: Dual-clutch, 7-speed

Dimensions:

• Length (m): 4.76
• Width (m): 1.86
• Height (m): 1.66
• Wheelbase (m): 2.79
• Cargo Space (liters): 340 (7-seat configuration)

Performance:

• 0-100 km/h (seconds): 9.9
• Top Speed (km/h): 207
• Fuel Consumption (Manufacturer): 15.5 km/l

Safety:

• European Crash Test Rating: Not yet tested
• Active Safety: Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Door Open Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Speed Sign Recognition