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The Skoda Kodiaq shows why many people like to drive an SUV. And it also convinces with the TÜV, even if not in all disciplines.
Since its market launch in early 2017, the Kodiaq has been doing it Skoda-Responsible great joy. The mid-range SUV won over customers right away and is not only selling well in Germany. In the meantime, the first vehicles have made representations to the TÜV. The question remains whether the owners will continue to be in a good mood afterwards.
Body and interior
The Kodiaq - named after the brown bear Kodiak in Alaska - is 4,70 meters long and surpasses its close relative, the VW Tiguan, by 20 centimeters in length. This puts the Czech on an equal footing with the long-wheelbase version of the Tiguan called Allspace. Visually, the big Skoda bear is neither clumsy nor frightening. Its dimensions only become apparent on closer inspection.
Inside, on the other hand, its size is immediately apparent. There is space in abundance. The rear is also airy. The rear seat, which is split 60:40, can be moved lengthwise by 18 centimeters in favor of more knee room or trunk volume. In the five-seater configuration, the luggage compartment holds between 720 and up to 2.065 liters, the folding front passenger seat allows objects up to 2,80 meters long to be transported. With the seven-seater, the loading compartment shrinks to 270 liters with full seating. A maximum of 2.000 liters fit in here. Seats 6 and 7 are, as is customary in the class, intended more for the family offspring than for the well-trained basketball player.
The interior is typical for Skoda, more factual than playful and there are the well-known practical helpers such as an ice scraper in the tank cap or an umbrella in the door pillar.
Motors and drive
At the market launch, the Kodiaq came up with three turbo petrol engines (TSI) and two diesel engines. The petrol engines had displacements of 1,4 and 2,0 liters and outputs of 92 kW/125 hp, 110 kW/150 hp and 132 kW/180 hp (since 2019: 140 kW/190 hp). Since the end of 2018, a 1,5-liter TSI with 150 hp has replaced the previous 1.4 at this power level. The top engine goes by the name RS and has an output of 180 kW/245 hp. It has only been available since summer 2021. The TSI come up with torques from 200 to 370 Nm (RS). Your standard consumption is between 6 and 8,3 liters.
The abbreviation RS also carries a diesel. The 176 kW/240 hp two-liter diesel engine provides 500 Nm. Also on offer are a 150 hp and 190 hp diesel (since 2019: 147 kW/200 hp). On average, the diesel consume between 4,8 and 6,4 liters. Except for the basic petrol engine, all engines can be ordered with all-wheel drive or have 4×4 drive on board ex works.
Depending on the engine variant, either a six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch transmission with six or seven speeds takes care of the power transmission.
Equipment and safety
The Kodiaq is offered in Active, Ambition, Style and L&K trim levels. Also on offer are the versions Scout (rather rustic) and Sportsline (rather sporty). Even the basic variant is properly equipped, the higher comfort lines include aluminum, LED headlights, electrically operated tailgate, reversing camera or keyless access to the scope of delivery. If the first owner was willing to invest, leather, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive distance and traffic jam assistants or an adaptive chassis are also on board. The Kodiaq passed the NCAP crash test in 2017 with a five-star rating.
Quality
The Kodiaq did well during its first TÜV main inspection. The test items chassis, light and environment did not pose any problems for the Czechs. Everything is green here. Every now and then the inspectors complain about oil loss. When examining the brake plague, however, the brake discs are unpleasant. They're no match for the Kodiaq's heavy weight.
Conclusion
The Skoda Kodiaq offers plenty of space and comfort. Depending on the equipment, it can also be really classy. Except for the mistake in the brake discs, the SUV does not allow itself any weaknesses in the TÜV. The currently high prices on the used car market are also having an impact on him. At least 20.000 euros are called for older models and that with quite high mileage.