What's all this about?
Skoda is doing a grand reveal of its first-ever SUV, the Kodiaq over in Berlin, and so we've got all the details on the Czech challenger.
Let me guess: sector-straddling, ludicrous value, high quality?
It looks that way, which is why we love Skoda so much. Rumour is that the Kodiaq, which can have seven seats and looks to be a physical size match for the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, machines that start at about £27,000, will actually kick off at a more Volkswagen Tiguan-like £23,000. This is typical of Skoda, as its Octavia and Superb motors both blur the automotive segment demarcation lines in much the same way.
So what have we got with the Kodiaq?
Well, it looks pretty good for a start. The design team has stayed true to the Vision S concept that previewed the production version of the SUV, and also those dramatic original sketches (you know the ones; they're all big wheels, pumped arches and low rooflines) of the 4x4. Of course, it wears current Skoda signatures, like the distinctive front grille/logo combination, C-shaped rear light clusters, crisp swage lines and slightly squared-off wheel arches.
And inside?
It's big thanks to a body that's 4,697mm long with a 2,791mm wheelbase. Five-seat models are the norm and they come with a boot that starts off at 730 litres and rises to a simply ginormous 2,095 litres. Seven seats are an option, making the Kodiaq the first Skoda to carry so many people, and the boot reduces to a still-huge 630 litres in that format. Even with all seven seats occupied, there's a supermini-rivalling 270-litre cargo area offered. Luxuries such as a heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, leather trim, adaptive cruise control, high-end satnav and a raft of driver assist/connectivity/Simply Clever goodies make the Kodiaq an appealing proposition.
What about the technical make-up?
First up, the Kodiaq is reasonably light - front-drive models can be as slim as 1,452kg and the lightest four-wheel drive variant clocks in at a similarly slender 1,540kg. The SUV also has a competitive aero figure of 0.33Cd. Five powertrains will be offered: two 1.4-litre TSI petrols (at 125hp or with 150hp and Active Cylinder Technology, which allows it to run on two pots for brief periods of time); a 180hp, 2.0-litre TSI unit; and a pair of 2.0-litre TDIs, with either 150- or 190hp. These last two will be the obvious choices for a large SUV in the UK.
You mentioned front-wheel drive - what are the transmission options?
Well, front-wheel drive is found on various models, although the 125hp TSI only gets front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox. At the other end of the scale, the two most powerful variants are seven-speed DSG, four-wheel drive machines only. DSG with seven cogs is available elsewhere as an option, although there's a six-speed DSG on the 150hp petrol only.
Any numbers to quote?
Focusing on the two diesels, which represent the best economy (the 150hp model) and the best performance (the 190hp), the former can achieve up to 56.5mpg with just 131g/km of CO2 emissions, while the latter does 130mph and 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds.
And the underpinnings?
MQB. Skoda has fitted the Kodiaq with multilink rear suspension and will offer the XDS+ electronic diff-lock, Driving Mode Select, adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control and a special off-road setting for the 4WD versions.
So, that name - does it come from astrology, or is it harking back to an old photographic film company?
It's neither, instead coming from the Kodiak (yes, with two Ks) bear of Alaska. In the local dialect, said bear is known as a 'Taquka-aq', which wouldn't sound half as nice after Skoda as Kodiaq does.
Is this it for Skoda's SUV offering?
Hardly. This is simply the first in what the Czech company calls an 'extensive SUV campaign'.
Matt Robinson - 1 Sep 2016