2017 Skoda Kodiaq SUV review: big bear on four wheels

Recently revealed Czech SUV from Mlada Boleslav, the 2017 Skoda Kodiaq, plans to aim high in the midsize SUV class. The design is inspired by Superb, and the name borrowed from a giant Kodiak bear that lives in Kodiak archipelago in southwest Alaska. Besides the name, Skoda Kodiaq also shares some other characteristics with the bear, namely the capacity, and intelligent approach.

New Skoda Kodiaq shares its name with the big brown bear from Alaska.

2017 Skoda Kodiaq highlights

Named after Alaskan brown bear from Kodiak Island.

Almost 4.7 meters long, wheelbase of 2.79 meters well above the class average.

Continues the well established Skoda brand roomines and spaciousness.

Well known 4 cylinder TDI and TSi engines ranging from 125 to 190 hp.

All wheel drive in almost all versions (except the weakest ones).

Expected base price well under 25,000 EUR.

Skoda Kodiaq main competitors from Asia and Europe

New Skoda Kodiaq has all the potential to become a worthy midsize SUV competitor.

Skoda Kodiaq is the first, but not last, Skoda model in the world of SUVs. The most natural Kodiaq rivals are probably Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, as well as Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Renault Koleos and others.

Intense competition in the Group, should Audi and VW be afraid?

For Skoda Kodiaq the battle for market share starts already within the VW Group and continues with the rivals mostly from Europe and Asia.

With a length of 4.7 meters, Skoda Kodiaq belongs in the upper part of the class average. And with almost 2.8 meters long wheelbase significantly exceeds its rivals. It is the longest version of the Volkswagen MQB platform that will be, in such a length, used only by the upcoming Tiguan XL.

Within the VW Group, Skoda Kodiaq is ranked between the Volkswagen Touareg and Tiguan or between the Audi Q7 and Audi Q5. For those who cannot imagine what it means almost 4.7 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, it should somehow give an impression of the size of the car.

With spaciousness, based on a 2,8 meters long wheelbase, Skoda Kodiaq outperforms most of the competitors.

Noticeably, a lot of competitors already exist inside the VW Group. But we think Skoda Kodiaq does not have to be afraid. It can easily beat the before mentioned smaller cousins with the size and space, and the bigger ones with a much more affordable price. It is the other brands who should be afraid of losing customers. But those are probably sweet worries anyway.

Typical modern Skoda from the outside, premium appearance inside

Modern Skoda exterior, based mostly on Superb, will probably be the basis for future smaller Czech SUV, starting with the 2nd generation Yeti.

Externally, the new Skoda Kodiaq mainly represents a little gentleman look with the typical clean lines and parallels, with the sights of the Czech Republic. Although some lines and details resemble a Superb, Kodiaq also brings many new design elements, which will certainly be an inspiration for future Skoda models, primarily for the second generation Yeti.

New Skoda Kodiaq has a fresh interior with a premium feeling.

Interior of Skoda Kodiaq brings freshness in an otherwise standard layout and appearance of switches, which expresses a more premium appearance of the center console. At least 6.5-inch touchscreen is available as standard, with an 8-inch screen as an option.

With folded third row of seats, the trunk capacity in Skoda Kodiaq measures 720 liters and can be extended to 2,065 liters.

Infotainment system knows all the cutting-edge connectivity tricks via specific applications. The owner is also alerted if the vehicle is moving too fast (young drivers) or suspected unauthorized driving (steal). Following the Superb footsteps, wireless phone charging is installed.

Skoda Kodiaq 2017 main ace: space

For even more space on the back seats, the rear bench is longitudinally movable for 18 centimeters.

Interior space is the one element where Kodiaq only reinforces the reputation of the Skoda brand. The long wheelbase is reflected in the generous space for passengers in the back seats. 2017 Skoda Kodiaq is available as a five- or seven-seater. The second row of seats, that can be divided into thirds, is longitudinally movable to a total of 18 centimeters.

2017 Skoda Kodiaq is available as a five- or seven-seater.

The five-seat layout ensures that the trunk can swallow up to 720 liters of luggage. With rear seats folded down the capacity increases to 2,065 liters. Both figures significantly outperform all competitors. And that is not all, you can transport up to 2.8 meters long objects without any major problems.

Engines in Skoda Kodiaq old friends from VW Group

skoda-kodiaq-2017-rear-light-all-wheel-drive

Most Skoda Kodiaq versions available with 4×4 (all-wheel drive).

Skoda Kodiaq has a quintet of TSI and TDI engines. Two versions of a 2-liter diesel engine (150 and 190 hp), which will transmit the power to all four wheels via the 6- or 7-speed manual or automatic DSG gearbox.

The remaining three engines are fed by gasoline, namely the 1,4-liter TSI with 150 hp (that shuts down second and third cylinders when they are not needed), 1.4-liter TSI with 125 hp (the only one that will have a two-wheel drive) and 2-liter TSI with 180 hp.

Modern safety systems, a bunch of useful, clever solutions

Infotainment system in Skoda Kodiaq knows all the cutting-edge connectivity tricks.

Skoda Kodiaq masters the semi-autonomous driving in traffic jams up to a speed of 65 km/h and automatic braking, sees the surrounding with the help of 360-degree cameras and offers assistance to the driver when backing up with a trailer with the Volkswagen’s Trailer Assist system. Together, it can tow a total weight of 2.5 tons.

2017-skoda-kodiaq-wireless-phone-charging

Wireless phone charging, already known from Superb.

There are still a lot of “simply clever” solutions, that include a system of internal communication between speakers, where the driver’s voice can be played through passengers headphones over Bluetooth connections.

2017 Skoda Kodiaq SUV price and start of sales

The 2017 Skoda Kodiaq price is still a mystery, our guess is it will be somewhere on the level of Superb.

The Skoda Kodiaq start of sales is going to happen before the end of the year. The price is still nothing certain, however, the starting price is expected to be well under 30,000 EUR. The offer will include the Scout and Sportline version and, of course, Lauren & Klement luxury version, which will make Kodiaq the most expensive Skoda so far.

2017-skoda-kodiaq-instrument-panel-gauges

Skoda Kodiaq gauges.

2017 Skoda Kodiaq SUV technical details

Dimensions

Length: 4,697 mm.

Width:1,882 mm.

Height: 1,676 mm.

Wheelbase: 2,791 mm.

Luggage compartment: 720 liters, 2,062 with rear seats folded down.

Engine options

1,4 TSI, gasoline. Maximum power 125 hp, fuel consumption 6.0 liters / 100 km. 6-speed manual transmission, CO₂ emission 140 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 10.7 seconds, max. speed 190 km/h.

1,4 TSI ACT 4×4, gasoline. Maximum power 150 hp, fuel consumption 6.8 liters / 100 km. 6-speed manual transmission, CO₂ emission 153 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 9.8 seconds, max. speed 197 km/h.

1,4 TSI ACT automatic, gasoline. Maximum power 150 hp, fuel consumption 6.1 liters / 100 km. 6-speed automatic transmission, CO₂ emission 141 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, max. speed 198 km/h.

1,4 TSI ACT 4×4 automatic, gasoline. Maximum power 150 hp, fuel consumption 7.1 liters / 100 km. 6-speed automatic transmission, CO₂ emission 164 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds, max. speed 194 km/h.

2,0 TDI, diesel. Maximum power 150 hp, fuel consumption 5.0 liters / 100 km. 7-speed automatic transmission, CO₂ emission 131 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds, max. speed 199 km/h.

2,0 TDI 4×4, diesel. Maximum power 150 hp, fuel consumption 5.3 liters / 100 km. 6-speed manual transmission, CO₂ emission 139 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, max. speed 196 km/h.

2,0 TDI 4×4 automatic, diesel. Maximum power 150 hp, fuel consumption 5.6 liters / 100 km. 7-speed automatic transmission, CO₂ emission 147 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 10.0 seconds, max. speed 194 km/h.

2,0 TSI 4×4 automatic, gasoline. Maximum power 180 hp, fuel consumption 7.3 liters / 100 km. 7-speed automatic transmission, CO₂ emission 168 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, max. speed 206 km/h.

2,0 TDI 4×4 automatic, diesel. Maximum power 190 hp, fuel consumption 5.7 liters / 100 km. 7-speed automatic transmission, CO₂ emission 150 g/km, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, max. speed 210 km/h.