2025 Skoda Kodiaq review | CarExpert

Skoda was on to a winner with the unique Kodiaq seven-seater SUV.

It hit the Australian market when patrons have been on the lookout for a European three-row mannequin that didn’t break the financial institution. Volkswagen didn’t have a seven-seater on the time, and an Audi Q7 was about double the worth.

Now the Kodiaq has entered its second era, scoring new underpinnings from the Volkswagen Group MQB Evo toolkit, a brand new exterior look that makes it arguably extra palatable than the earlier one, and a few large inside enhancements, to not point out a expertise overhaul.

CarExpert had an opportunity to pattern the brand new Kodiaq in Germany, and whereas the mannequin pushed wasn’t fully consultant of what Australia will see, this family-friendly high-rider is an enormous enchancment over its glorious predecessor.

How does the Skoda Kodiaq examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Skoda Kodiaq towards equally sized autos.

Skoda

Kodiaq

How a lot does the Skoda Kodiaq price?

Australian pricing and specs for the new-generation Kodiaq are nonetheless to be confirmed – it arrives domestically round February 2025, so pricing must be launched within the first few weeks of the brand new 12 months.

Within the meantime Skoda Australia has confirmed it is going to proceed to supply three grades of the Kodiaq.

The entry-level mannequin will probably be known as the Choose, and we’ve been instructed it gained’t stray removed from the prevailing Fashion’s worth and positioning regardless of a big bump in normal tools. For reference, the outgoing Kodiaq Fashion is at present $56,490 drive-away.

The Sportline will kind the center floor within the Kodiaq vary, with a sportier look in and out, and little question a couple of further options. The Sportline mannequin within the outgoing vary not too long ago had a $5000 worth lower to match the Fashion at $56,490 drive-away. 

The range-topping RS mannequin is priced at $76,890 drive-away in outgoing mannequin kind. The newest tackle the theme hasn’t but been revealed, however a second-generation RS worth within the $70,000 vary appears seemingly. 

As with the prevailing vary, all fashions offered in Australia will probably be petrol-powered, and can come as normal with seven seats.

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

What’s the Skoda Kodiaq like on the within?

The earlier Kodiaq was nonetheless one in every of our favourites within the section, as a result of it really lived as much as what we’ve come to anticipate from Skoda’s ‘Merely Intelligent’ mantra.

The brand new one seems to be extra particular because of its revised design, greater touchscreen, and new supplies and trims. Fortunately nonetheless the model hasn’t strayed from what labored so effectively first time round.

That new 15-inch touchscreen media system is an enormous differentiator, at nearly twice the diameter of the final show.

Whereas merchandise from the Volkswagen Group have copped some criticism over software program quirks, the display right here is straightforward sufficient to become familiar with – I managed to be taught many of the menus that I wanted inside just some minutes of driving.

Quite a lot of that’s right down to Skoda’s new Sensible Dials, which make interacting with among the primary controls far easier than having to be taught your approach by means of the menus on the show.

The Sensible Dials are configurable, tactile controls with small shows inside that enable you modify sure components of the automobile. The center dial could be customised to regulate fan pace, airflow, quantity, drive modes, or map zoom. Two different dials sit both facet of it for local weather management, and also you push the dial in to regulate seat heating and cooling, if geared up.

They’re certainly smarter than utilizing the touchscreen for all that stuff, however you are able to do that if you want. There’s additionally a terrific display wipe for the touchscreen that eliminates fingerprints in only a second or two.

Count on normal built-in sat navigation, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a fantastic digital instrument cluster.

For probably the most half the expertise within the new Kodiaq is easy, and the controls are manageable. These embrace the shortcuts to disable the security methods that will annoy you. It takes simply a few steering wheel button presses to show off the lane-keeping help and speed-sign bing-bong noises.

Up entrance there’s a sizeable centre console bin, cupholders between the seats, and a coverable storage zone the place the gear selector would historically be positioned (it’s a column-mounted shift-by-wire one as an alternative). The latter additionally homes two USB-C ports and a pair of wi-fi cellphone chargers.  

Materials high quality has clearly been a spotlight, with pretty touches to the cabin trim on the dashboard, doorways and between the seats. Our German take a look at automobile had a convincing part-leather, part-vinyl end, with seat heating and cooling for the entrance occupants. 

Second-row house is nice sufficient for a six-footer behind somebody equally sized, with manageable leg-, foot- and headspace, and ample shoulder room. Three adults throughout the again is doable and three little one seats must be too.

The second-row seats have a sliding operate that means that you can enable for more room within the again.

As a household hauler, there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three top-tethers within the second row, however no positions for kiddos within the very again row. This would possibly make one thing like a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento attraction extra to you, as they will accommodate little one seats within the very again. 

Facilities for second-row riders embrace multi-pocket seat backs, large bottle holders within the doorways, built-in window shades, a storage zone on the transmission tunnel, a flip-down armrest with cupholders, and dual-zone local weather management with outboard seat heating. 

Entry to the third-row is finished by a lever that flips the seat again ahead and slides the bottom simply. I managed to step in with out an excessive amount of trouble.

Third-row house might be higher thought of a short-term rental moderately than a ceaselessly residence, as a result of there are not any air vents, no fan controller, and no child-seat factors.

There’s sufficient house for a smaller occupant to perk up, with a grown-up nonetheless able to being snug within the center row. 

There are armrests over the wheel-arches within the third row, in addition to an honest quantity of headroom because of the boxy-backed design.

With all of the seats up there’s a claimed 340 litres of boot house. This expands as much as 910 litres with the third row of seats folded which is great for the category.

The cargo space features a space-saver spare wheel below the boot ground, purchasing bag hooks on the edges, and a pair of crevasses on both facet of the ground space for unfastened objects.

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

What’s below the bonnet?

Australia gained’t get the diesel engine I drove in Europe. There isn’t any marketplace for diesels in Australia, based on Skoda, with the New Car Effectivity Commonplace (NVES) mandates killing that section for newcomers.

Meaning, just like the outgoing mannequin, the brand new Kodiaq will probably be a petrol-only line-up in Australia.

Remaining specs are nonetheless to be decided, however we’ve been instructed the bottom mannequin Choose and mid-spec Sportline variants could have a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 140kW, with a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission and all-wheel drive as normal.

The engine for the range-topping RS variant hasn’t been confirmed but. It’ll seemingly rating the identical engine because the Very good Sportline and the up to date Golf GTI, a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 195kW/400Nm. 

Skoda hasn’t revealed particulars on the towing capability of its higher-capacity petrol engines but, however you’ll be able to anticipate an unbraked capability of 750kg. Braked towing is anticipated to be between 2000kg and 2500kg for the fashions offered Down Beneath.

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

How does the Skoda Kodiaq drive?

The model of the Kodiaq on take a look at in Germany for this overview didn’t function a related powertrain for our market. It’s a disgrace as a result of the two.0-litre turbo-diesel is a terrific unit, providing nice low- to mid-range oomph and surprisingly good refinement.

As a substitute, Aussies will get petrol fashions solely, and so they’ll little question be pleasant if the earlier model of the Kodiaq is something to go by.

What was additionally pleasant on this occasion was the drivability of the brand new Kodiaq.

Throughout a mixture of completely different situations together with visitors round Munich airport and the encircling arterial roads, some stretches of unrestricted Autobahn driving, to twisting mountain roads and tight streets in high-altitude villages, this family-focused SUV is an absolute attraction to drive.

The steering is exact and effectively weighted, making it straightforward sufficient to dart again to the sting of the highway when oncoming visitors strays too near the median, but in addition permitting for easy parking strikes.

That’s as soon as I obtained my head round that gear selector – you twist as much as go forwards, right down to go backwards.

The visibility from the motive force’s seat impresses, with a very good ahead view, good side-mirror imaginative and prescient, although with individuals within the second- and third rows I couldn’t see out the again. A digital rear-view mirror would alleviate this.

On the parking entrance our tester got here geared up with a surround-view system, in addition to entrance and rear parking sensors with auto-braking that helped when a foolish pedestrian determined to stroll precisely the place I used to be reversing.

The experience consolation may be very effectively suited to this form of automobile, with a easy and cozy standing on most surfaces I drove on, although sharp edges did catch the entrance suspension out a bit at instances.

Maybe most spectacular was the sensation of solidity within the new Kodiaq.

It has a very well-built really feel to it, by no means feeling clumsy or unmanageable in any of the conditions I drove.

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

What do you get?

The usual tools for the new-generation Skoda Kodiaq hasn’t but been confirmed.

Skoda Australia has outlined what you’ll be able to anticipate to be provided as normal within the Sportline trim.

Skoda Kodiaq Sportline highlights:

• Gloss black exterior highlights
• Matrix LED headlights
• LED daytime operating lights
• LED tail-lights with sequential indicators
• Energy tailgate
• 19-inch alloys (20-inch items could also be provided in Australia)
• Proximity entry and push-button begin
• Sportline Design Choice inside trim
• Electrical seat adjustment
• Driver’s seat reminiscence
• Ambient inside lighting
• Darkish headliner
• Suedia trim finishes
• Distinction gray stitching
• Three-spoke sports activities steering wheel
• 10-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
• 13-inch touchscreen infotainment show
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Energy-folding door mirrors
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Sensible Dials

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

Is the Skoda Kodiaq protected?

Euro NCAP put the new-generation Skoda Kodiaq by means of its testing in 2024, and the consequence was the utmost five-star ranking. It has carried over to ANCAP simply but.

It achieved 89 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 83 per cent for little one occupant safety, 82 per cent for weak highway person safety and 78 per cent for its security help methods.

Commonplace security expertise contains:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, bike owner, head-on and junction detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep help
• Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
• Journey Help (lane centring)
• Parking help
• Reversing digital camera
• Entrance and rear parking sensors with auto braking

The brand new Kodiaq is anticipated to be provided with as much as 9 airbags – twin entrance, entrance centre, entrance facet, rear facet and full-length curtain protection.

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

How a lot does the Skoda Kodiaq price to run?

Title one other European model that provides a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia…. That’s proper, there isn’t one other one.

Skoda provides pay as you go service plans for as much as seven years too.

Servicing for the brand new Kodiaq is anticipated to be due each 12 months or 15,000km, whichever happens first. For those who prepay your servicing, it’d add to the resale worth as a result of you’ll be able to move it on to the subsequent proprietor with upkeep already lined.

Skoda additionally provides the choice of a assured future worth for the automobile in the event you finance by means of its in-house loans operation, which may be engaging for these involved about resale values.

To see how the Skoda Kodiaq stacks up towards it rivals, use our comparison tool.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Skoda Kodiaq

There isn’t any doubt in my thoughts the brand new Skoda Kodiaq will probably be probably the greatest medium SUVs with seven seats when it reaches our shores in 2025.

Whether or not or not it will likely be a famous person on worth stays to be seen, however there’s doubtlessly loads of worth right here, and it’s one of many extra sensible three-row choices amongst its present friends.

Inquisitive about shopping for a Skoda Kodiaq? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers here

Click on the photographs for the total gallery

MORE: Everything Skoda Kodiaq