Skoda will mark its entry into the 7-seater SUV market segment in India where it will take on the likes of stalwarts such as the Fortuner and the Endeavour. Initial reports suggest that the SUV is likely to be priced somewhere between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 lakh.
The 7-seater segment has witnessed tremendous growth year on year with Toyota and Ford leading the pack. Skoda has so far been missing from this segment.
So far, Skoda was enjoying its run in the compact SUV segment but with the Kodiaq, its first full-sized SUV, the Czech manufacturer is blurring the lines between segments. At a first glance, the Kodiaq looks substantial and has been built with proportions that ensure that it commands an impressive presence on the road. But the spec sheet belies its size and shows that it measures shorter in length than the Superb but is longer than the Tiguan. The Kodiaq shares the same MQB platform as these two.
On the outside, the Kodiaq uses visual elements to highlight its bold stance with the creases on the shoulder line, tail sculpting and tapering roofline adding to this look.
Words such as ‘sporty’ and ‘elegant’ come to mind as the LED headlamps and tail lamps hugging the bodyline enunciate the descriptors. Inside the large wheel arches, the 18-inch wheels, on which the Kodiaq rides, wear 235-section tyres that balance out the proportions visually.
A figure of power, luxury and dominance, the SUV now fulfils much more than its intended purpose.
The Skoda Kodiaq comes with 270 litres of boot space with the third row up, going up to 630 with the same row folded and a massive 2,000 plus litres is liberated with the second row folded. This row offers a 40:20:40 split for further convenience and usability of space with the option to slide them back and forth. The last row, however, is a tad low and cramped for knee room for adults to comfortably utilise them.
The dual-tone black-beige combination finish on the interiors give it a classy look with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment dominating the central console. The infotainment system features Smart Link that includes Apple Car Play, Android Auto, and Mirror Link.
The Kodiaq’s large panoramic sunroof allows a good amount of light into the cabin.
The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, amted to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, produces 150PS of power and 340Nm of torque.
This is the same engine that does duty on the Skoda Superb and the Skoda Octavia albeit in a different state of tune. 150bhp and 340Nm may look unimpressive for 1,800kg of metal and plastic but proved otherwise to drive. The engine is refined, shows nearly no sign of turbo-lag and is quick to build revs. Part of that is also attributed to the quick-shifting 7-speed DSG gearbox.
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The shifter also says 4×4 and the system comes from Haldex that uses torque-vectoring to shift 50 per cent of the power to the rear wheels. There are driving modes that are a first for any Skoda here and alter how the engine, gearbox, steering and sir-conditioning systems perform. Meant for light off-roading only and venturing off the beaten path, there is no 4×4 lock and in normal conditions, 96 per cent of the torque is fed to the front wheels.
If Skoda plays the market correctly and prices the Kodiaq between Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, there’s a lot of car being offered with tons of features combined with a delectable ride, handling and performance.
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