Times are changing and you have to adapt which means even carmakers know that petrol is now the more popular fuel option. The same can be said for premium SUVs too- a segment which was once unthinkable of having a petrol engine option. However, there is a demand for petrol SUVs now and hence Skoda has launched its new Kodiaq SUV with a petrol-only powertrain.
Yes, there is no diesel with the Kodiaq but that means it is the only 7-seater premium petrol-powered SUV at this price point. While the SUV segment has increased, the premium end still has less competition which means that Skoda has positioned the Kodiaq as a 7-seater petrol SUV for those who like driving or also like to be chauffeur-driven.
However, along with the new engine, the Kodiaq has had various other changes too. We will start with the updated looks. The Kodiaq has always been a good looking SUV but the updates have made it better.
The front gets the biggest of the changes with a new chrome heavy grille/ bumper design which goes well with its premium stance along with the new LED headlamps which have 'illuminated eyelashes'. The wheels are new 18-inch alloys as well which balances the stance well. The rear gets minimal changes but there are new tail-lamps with turn indicators along with a smoother bumper design. The Kodiaq is quite a big SUV but hides its bulk rather well.
More than the exteriors, the interiors are the bigger reason in terms of making it a serious luxury SUV. The doors feel heavy and the general build quality is excellent- with the same feeling as a much more expensive SUV from a German luxury brand. The design is also classy with soft-touch materials while the two spoke design (you can get a 3-spoke also) of the steering wheel somewhat adds to the 'luxury' feel. New to the Kodiaq interior includes a digital instrument cluster while there is an 8inch touchscreen.
The features list is where this SUV makes the most sense since no other SUV or car has this much amount of equipment on offer at this price. The basics are well covered with a massive panoramic sunroof, leather perforated upholstery, 12-way adjustable electric seats with in-built cooling and heating, ambient lighting, a Canton 625 W 12-speaker audio system, remote opening for the windows, door mirrors and even the sunroof plus more.
The touchscreen system is slick and has inbuilt navigation while the connect app brings in more features too. Wireless charging, USB C ports and a 360-degree view camera, 9 airbags, multi-collision braking and park assist with handsfree parking are other notable mentions.
We loved the seats in terms of their comfort along with both heating/cooling is a nice touch while the audio system has good sound quality. The same goes for the 360-degree view camera with the high display quality. The 3-zone climate control also cools down the cabin nicely while the rear seat happens to have good comfort while sunblinds/a neck support is further impressive points.
For being chauffeur driven, space and comfort is well looked at overall. The third row meanwhile is best suited for kids or adults for short journeys. There is 270 litres of boot space at the back with seven seats up while folding the last row increases that to 630 litres while hands-free boot access is there too.
As mentioned earlier the Kodiaq is now petrol and that means a 2.0l turbo petrol engine with 190PS and 320Nm. Standard is a 7-speed DSG automatic with 4x4 also being there. The engine makes the Kodiaq fast and smooth. Nice petrol adds to the luxury experience and the Kodiaq now feels refined along with cruising effortlessly.
In the city, the Kodiaq crucially feels more agile than other 7-seaters which makes it good to drive too. You are not aware of driving a big SUV with light steering plus the driving experience is surprisingly nimble. There are Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sports, Snow and Individual driving modes but paired with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), you can tune the Kodiaq to your preference or the driving conditions. Hence the Kodiaq is comfortable on bad roads but fun when you want it to be with body control, unlike any other 7-seater SUV.
We felt the DCC did not massively alter the behaviour of the Kodiaq but it's a robust suspension in the first place with only a small amount of firmness (typical of Skoda and European cars). We even took it off-road where it performed quite well, hence for those road trips up the hills or beyond the Kodiaq will do just fine!
The Kodiaq starts at Rs 34.9 lakh but the fully loaded L&K version as tested here is Rs 37.4 lakh. As said earlier, as a premium 7-seater SUV for you to also enjoy driving, the Kodiaq is now the only one while getting a huge amount of features that adds to its appeal. It's well built and good to drive while not being bad off-road too! Of course, being petrol, its running costs would be high but this SUV is aimed at a premium SUV buyer but also someone who needs not spend 60 lakh on a German luxury SUV. In that way, it's the thinking man's premium SUV.
What we like - Looks, quality, features, comfort, performance
What we do not - Lacks a diesel engine
Car loan Information:
Calculate Car Loan EMI