Skoda launched its SUV offensive in 2016 with the Kodiaq. Now the big crossover is getting a first lift. It turns out to be very gentle.
Four years after its market launch, Skoda has redesigned its large SUV Kodiaq. With a gently polished design, new equipment options and a modified drive program, the five- to seven-seater will be available from dealers from July.
From the outside, the lifting can be seen on the new front section with a raised bonnet and an upright grill. It is now flanked by LED lights as standard, with Matrix LED headlights available as an option for the first time. There are also detailed changes, for example to the rims and roof spoiler. Inside there are redesigned steering wheels as well as new decors and materials. Electrically adjustable ergonomic leather seats with massage and air conditioning functions are available for a surcharge, and there is now the digital cockpit known from other series as an alternative to the classic analog instruments.
In terms of drive, the most important change can be found in the Kodiaq RS sports model, which changes from the biturbo diesel to the gasoline engine. Instead of the 176 kW / 240 hp 2,0-liter diesel engine, a gasoline engine of the same size with 180 kW / 245 hp is now used, which, as before, is combined with all-wheel technology and a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The departure from the double-charged power diesel is likely to have something to do with the stricter exhaust gas limits and has recently been observed in other models of the VW Group.
In addition, the two other petrol engines with 110 kW / 150 PS and 140 kW / 190 PS as well as the two diesels with 110 kW / 150 PS and 147 kW / 200 PS remain in the range. The weaker engines drive the front wheels as standard, the more powerful ones are always equipped with a 4 × 4 system.
Skoda has not yet announced prices for the mid-range SUV. However, they are likely to increase slightly and start above 30.000 euros in the future. The competitors of the Czech include Kia Sorento, Peugeot 5008 and VW Tiguan Allspace.