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Kuschelbär on the Ballermann
Is the Skoda Kodiaq “my” car and does it suit me? Who does the Skoda Kodiaq suit and what do you have to consider when buying? Which places should you look at, especially on the list of options? Questions upon questions! The answers can be found in this Skoda Kodiaq driving report.
In the winter, you usually train in the sun and during the first ride on the Skoda Kodiaq on the sunny island of Majorca, I was very happy about the numerous cyclists, racing cyclists and mountain bikers on the island. No, you must not shake it off. That does not work for the cars, not even all SUVs are the same.
Mallorca is “the bigger island”, the Skoda Kodiaq the bigger SUV! Longer than the current VW Tiguan. Space for 7 people in an emergency. If you don't use the two rear seats, it offers a really large trunk and more than enough space for four people. If you are interested in the exact facts and dimensions, you can scroll down a little further, there is the table with the technical data of the Skoda Kodiaq.
Now in the test: The Skoda Kodiaq
With the big Skoda SUV it almost went over the entire island. Past the capital Palma to the northernmost point, the Cap Formentor. Again and again past beautiful plants, on great winding roads, but the road surface I would call slightly carious. This ironed the suspension of the Skoda Kodiaq loose. But now we finally come to the driving impression, which we were able to procure after nearly 500 km well.
Solid bear
The Skoda Kodiaq offers solid technology, paired with what I believe is a timeless design and really plenty of space. The length is above all the passengers, but also the luggage compartment to good. But what drives the Kodiaq in the first place? We drove the 190 PS version, the diesel. A diesel and yes, the performance needs the SUV already, especially if you want to underline the S again, because that is indeed sporty.
The interior is tidy and clearly structured. “Typically Skoda!” Was my first thought, provided with numerous shelves and well processed. The infotainment system has the latest connectivity options. The common smartphones can be connected without any problems thanks to Apple Carplay, Android Auto or Mirror Link.
The seats in the front can be adjusted very well, with my size of 1,75 m I quickly found an ideal seating position and the passengers in the second row could dance tango behind my seat. Loungefeeling in the second row due to plenty of legroom.
Ideal for children? Not only the anti-trap protection of the electric windows, but also the door edge saver. These automatically move out on all doors. We already know that from Ford, but why not take good ideas with you?
On the squares 6 and 7 probably only children feel comfortable, they are not for the long haul. But you do not buy your vehicle anyway only for eventualities: If you have to take two more people sometimes, then that goes in the Kodiaq and you have behind it even more space than in the VW Caddy.
The rear seat backrests can be adjusted in incline, the complete rear seat can be moved by 18 cm in length. More space in the trunk or more legroom, the owners have the choice.
The steering of the Skoda Kodiaq is smooth and even direct. The DSG (dual-clutch transmission) installed in our test vehicle performed the switching tasks excellently and the brake system was also sufficiently large. The effort required to steer and brake is minimal, so you do not have to wrestle with a brown bear to conquer the mountains with the Skoda Kodiaq.
The 190 horsepower is enough. The maximum torque of 400 Nm also allows one or the other overtaking. I was happy about the adaptive cruise control with the active lane keeping system. Personally, I hate nothing more than driving in traffic. Since the modern technology can take the time to work. That can be the new Skoda Kodiaq.
Incidentally, he initially comes in three trim levels. Since it pays to recalculate. I recommend the LED headlights, even if they do not have an adaptive high beam system. For me, the LED technology in the headlights is state of the art and a safety benefit.
Modular Brummer
The other assistance systems come from the VW technology kit. Even though Skoda is not allowed to use all components for political reasons, the Kodiaq automatically shuts out its claws in an emergency, has a dead-angle-warning device and also comes with an 360 ° camera. Optionally, there is also the Trailer Assist. If you do not like all that, you can also switch systems passive, you will not be patronized here.
According to NEDC, 5,7 liters run through the combustion chambers here, 100 km goes without saying. The value we could not reach in Mallorca, we had gone too far from the test bench driving cycle. About the consumption, I would not say anything, but you have to move the vehicle here for several days in Germany in everyday life.
Let's come to the conclusion: Externally, the Kodiaq impresses with its sharp lines, in the interior with the very generous amount of space and good workmanship. The Skoda Kodiaq does what it promises. Lots of space for children and kins, and of course for luggage. Depending on how you measure, you have a volume of 270 - yes, then with 7 seats - up to 2065 liters available. Seats 6 and 7 are optional, if you don't choose these, you have a vehicle with a really large trunk and plenty of space in the rear. I thought until now that the Skoda Superb would be the leader here, but it will now be felt to be replaced by the Kodiaq.
Thanks to the optional all-wheel drive and the snow or off-road mode, there should be little traction problems, but always remember: Who is traveling quickly, must not disregard the braking distance. If you like, you can pull up to 2,5 tons with the Skoda Kodiaq. Thus, the Skoda Kodiaq is also recommended as a towing vehicle. Price goes from 25.490 Euro going, but then you get only a small 1.4 liter TSI under the hood.
The territory of the bear
For the currently most powerful Kodiaq, i.e. the 2.0 liter TDI with 190 hp, you have to put at least 39.440 euros on the sales counter. Including all-wheel drive, plus expenses. Because of course there is still something in the surcharge list for the highest equipment line “Style”. For a surcharge there is the proactive safety protection for the occupants, the side airbags for the second row, the technical assistance systems, the driving profile selection, and, and, and you quickly end up at 45.000 euros.
Nevertheless, the Skoda Kodiaq will sell itself as sliced bread, an asset to the SUV market and the Skoda portfolio, and by the time the VW Tiguan XL hits the market, this brown bear will have already poached in the area.
Criticisms: A few components from the VW group then remain the VW Tiguan reserved, so the digital cockpit, the progressive steering, the 220 PS petrol engine or even the 240 PS strong diesel. I miss the big engines in the portfolio of Skoda, because an underpowered vehicle with a curb weight of just under two tons stop just makes no sense, especially not if you want to use it as a tractor.
At the beginning I asked the question, if the Skoda Kodiaq fits me and my requirement profile. Yes, he does, the Skoda Kodiaq could become a family friend and like many other SUVs soon dominate the entrances of kindergartens and schools. He is, like any cuddly bear, a family friend. He is unfortunately not a ballerina, but he is too big, too heavy and unsportsmanlike
| Technical data | Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 140 kW 4 × 4 DSG |
| Number of cylinders / displacement (cm3) | 4/1.968 |
| Max. Power / at speed (kW / min-1) | 140 / 3.500-4.000 |
| Max. Torque / at speed (Nm / min-1) | 400 / 1.750-3.250 |
| Emission category | EU6 |
| Fuel type | Diesel, cetane at least 51 |
| Maximum speed (km / h) | 210 (209 as 7 Seater) |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h (s) | 8,9 (9,1 as 7 Seater) |
| Fuel consumption according to Regulation (EC) No. 715 / 20072) | 6,6 |
| > Urban (l / 100 km) | 5,3 |
| > Out of town (l / 100 km) | 5,7 |
| > Combined (l / 100 km) Combined CO2 emissions (g / km) 2) | 150 (151 as 7 Seater) |
| CO2-Effizienzklasse2) | B |
| Turning circle (m) | 12,2 |
| Compaction | Permanent four-wheel drive |
| Clutch | 2 electro-hydraulic coaxial multi-disc clutches |
| Transmission | 7 Automatic Transmission DSG |
| Curb weight (kg) 2 incl. Driver (75 kg) | 1.752 – 1.952 (1.795 – 1.980) |
| Payload (kg) 2) incl. Driver (75 kg) | 475 – 675 (608 – 767) |
| Perm. Total weight (kg) | 2.352 (2.472 – 2.510) |
| Trailer load, unbraked (max. | 750 |
| Trailer load, braked at 12% incline (max kg) | 2.300 (2.000) |
| Max. Roof load / vertical load (kg) | 75 / 100 (75 / 80) |
| Tank contents (l) | 60 |
| Drag coefficient C | 0,334 (0,338 |
| Front axle rear axle | McPherson struts with wishbones and torsion stabilizer multi-link rear suspension with longitudinal and wishbones, torsion stabilizer |
| Brakes | Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, brake assist |
| > Front brakes | Internally ventilated disc brakes with single piston floating caliper |
| > Rear brakes | Disc brakes |
| steering | Direct rack-and-pinion steering with electromechanical steering assistance |
| bicycles | Active, Ambition 7,0J x 17 ″, Style 7,0J x 18 ″ |
| Tubes | Active, Ambition 215 / 65 R17, Style 235 / 55 R18 |
| Length (mm) | 4.697 |
| width (mm) | 1.882 |
| Height max./min. (Mm) | 1.676 / 1.655 (1.673 / 1.655) |
| Wheelbase unloaded / loaded (mm) | 2.791 / 2.788 |
| Gauge front / rear (mm) | 1.586 / 1.576 |
| Ground clearance (mm) 3) | 187 (188) |
| Elbow room front (mm) | 1.527 |
| Effective headspace in front (mm) | 1.022 |
| Elbowroom rear / trunk 2./3. Row of seats (mm) | 1.510 (1.511/1.270) |
| Effective headroom at the back 2./3. Row of seats (mm) | 1.014 (1.015/905) |
| Luggage space> up to the parcel shelf (l), without spare wheel | 650-835 (560-765) 2.065 (2.005) |
| Luggage space> With the rear seats folded down, 5-seater (l), without spare wheel> Up to the rear shelf for 7-seater (l) | 270 |
| manufacturer's instructions |
