"With the ŠKODA Kodiaq, we are striking out in a new direction and opening up new markets,” says ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier. “With our first large SUV, we are conquering a new segment for the brand – and new customer groups. Our new addition to the ŠKODA model range is truly as strong as a bear: it makes the brand even more attractive thanks to its concept, striking design and as the first ŠKODA that has the option of always being online and thereby offering more comfort, safety and real-time information.The ŠKODA Kodiaq is at the forefront of ŠKODA’s extensive SUV campaign.”

Exterior design

The brand transfers its new design language into the SUV segment with a design that reflects the car’s versatile character: the ŠKODA Kodiaq features a distinctive interplay of elegant lines, sporty contours and robustness.

All of the ŠKODA Kodiaq’s lines are clear, precise and clean-cut – this applies in particular to the distinctive, highly recessed shoulder line. Double horizontal lines on the front symbolise protection and strength. The wide, three-dimensional radiator grille is striking and the narrow, raked headlights, which flow seamlessly into the radiator grille, give the ŠKODA Kodiaq a distinctive appearance. The two double-headlights create a striking face and stand out due to their crystalline structure, which can also be seen in the rear lights. Here, ŠKODA’s Head of Design, Jozef Kabaň, and his team were inspired by traditional Czech crystal glass art, also reflected in the SUV’s highly contoured surfaces.

The long wheelbase and short overhangs point to the large interior and the wheel arches are slightly angular – a key element of ŠKODA’s SUV design language. LEDs are used as standard in the C-shaped rear light design that is typical of ŠKODA. A choice of 14 paint finishes is available – four standard colours and ten metallic colours. The appearance of the components varies according to the three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style.

Body

The ŠKODA Kodiaq is 4,697 mm long, 1,882 mm wide and 1,676 mm tall (including roof rails); its wheelbase measures 2,791 mm. The Kodiaq is based on Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) in which strict lightweight construction plays an important role. For the body, a combination of hot-stamped metal sheets forms the ultra-strong backbone. With the entry-level TSI engine and front-wheel drive, the large SUV weighs just 1,452 kg (without driver), or 1,540 kg with the 1.4 TSI engine and all-wheel drive.

Interior

The ŠKODA Kodiaq is just 40 mm longer than the ŠKODA Octavia, but offers a larger-than-average interior for the SUV segment. The large SUV’s interior length is 1,793 mm, elbow room is 1,527 mm in the front and 1,510 mm in the rear. Head room is 1,020 mm in the front and 1,014 mm in the rear. Rear legroom measures up to 104 mm.

The crisp exterior design carries on into the interior: the double lines – with their three-dimensional appearance – also feature on the instrument panel. The interior is characterised by bold vertical elements, such as the four large air vents and the large display splits the instrument panel into two equal sections for the driver and passenger.

The high-quality workmanship as well as the logical and easy-to-understand operation are typical of ŠKODA and the large circular instruments have a precise and clear design. The steering wheel is available in a choice of different versions – one of which is heated. The optional tri-zone climate control, has its own control panel for the rear seats.

As an option the front seats can be heated, ventilated and adjusted electronically; the latter also includes a memory function. The ŠKODA Kodiaq’s rear seats are also extremely versatile: they can be folded in the ratio 60:40, can be moved lengthways by 18 cm as standard and the angle of the backrest is individually adjustable. Two more seats in the third row are available – the Kodiaq is ŠKODA’s first 7-seater.

As an alternative to the standard fabric seats, a fabric/leather combination and leather or Alcantara are offered. Optional ambient lighting adds an individual touch to the interior and is built into the door trims and can be set to ten different colours.

Boot

With a volume of 720 to 2,065 l (5-seater with the rear seats folded down), the ŠKODA Kodiaq offers the largest boot within its class and if the optional folding passenger seat is chosen, the SUV can transport items up to 2.80 m long. An electrically operated tailgate is available, and can (as an optional extra) be opened with the firm’s virtual pedal system. The ŠKODA Kodiaq with the TDI/DSG/4×4 drivetrain can tow a trailer weighing up to 2.5 t with an electrically retractable tow bar.

Equipment

The ‘Simply Clever’ features available in the ŠKODA Kodiaq are further proof that ŠKODA always offers ‘a little bit more car for your money’. These include door-edge protection: which deploy automatically thanks to preloaded springs when opening the car door and prevents the metal edge of the door from coming into contact with a garage wall or an adjacent vehicle. When shutting the door, the trim folds itself back in. This prevents bumps and scratches to your own car, as well as neighbouring vehicles.

Electric child safety lock for the rear doors, In-Car Communication and the sleep package headrests are available as optional extras for the first time in a ŠKODA. All in all, the ŠKODA Kodiaq provides more than 30 ‘Simply Clever’ features, seven of which are new. 

Driver assistance systems

A new innovation is Trailer Assist: when the ŠKODA Kodiaq is towing a trailer, the system can take over steering when reversing slowly. Additionally, while reversing, the new Manoeuvre Assist will brake as soon as an obstacle is detected behind the vehicle. The system is controlled using an enhanced function of the rear parking sensors. 

The Area View system is also a first for the brand: the surround-view cameras, which are located in the front and rear as well as the wing mirrors of the ŠKODA Kodiaq, come with wide-angle lenses and allow views of the area immediately surrounding the car to be displayed on the monitor. These include a virtual, top-down view and 180-degree images to the front and rear.

Front Assist including City Emergency Brakecomes as standard and, using radar, can detect dangerous situations involving pedestrians or other vehicles in front of the car. If necessary, the system warns the driver and, when required, partially or fully applies the brakes. City Emergency Brake is active up to 21 mph. The optional Predictive Pedestrian Protection complements Front Assist. 

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is also radar assisted and helps the driver to maintain the selected speed and the desired gap between the ŠKODA Kodiaq and the car in front. Lane Assist, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert help the driver to stay in lane, make changing lanes safer using the rear radar and help when manoeuvring in reverse. If the car is fitted with Lane Assist, ACC and DSG transmission, Traffic Jam Assist comes as an additional function and maintains speed and applies the brakes in slow-moving traffic. Additionally, the car will be kept in lane up to speeds of 40 mph thanks to the Lane Assist function. 

Driver Alert detects signs of fatigue in the driver and prompts the driver to take a break while Emergency Assist, only in combination with DSG transmission, is a further function of the ACC and Lane Assist combination. Should the danger arise that the driver is unable to drive, the system can bring the large SUV to a standstill.

Crew Protect Assist, available in a choice of two variants, closes the windows and sunroof, and tensions the seat belts automatically in the event of an impending accident. If you have an accident, the Multi-Collision Brake, which comes as standard, prevents any further uncontrolled movement of the ŠKODA Kodiaq. The camera-based Travel Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition displays speed limits and other road signs as images on the in-car computer as well as the navigation system. 

ŠKODA Connect

With its infotainment and connectivity solutions, the large SUV from ŠKODA shows how an SUV can always be online. ŠKODA presents innovative mobile online services, navigation, information and entertainment in Kodiaq and ŠKODA Connect helps with remote access to the vehicle as well as assistance.

ŠKODA Connect is comprised of two categories: the Infotainment Online services provide more information and real-time navigation details. Care Connect provides remote access as well as assistance. 

Infotainment Online includes online traffic information, which shows traffic flow on the chosen route in real time. The Google Earth services (available for the Columbus system) embed the route into a topographical view from Google; Google Street View (available for the Columbus system) displays a street view of the destination. Map updates as well as fuel prices, parking information, online news, weather information and ‘My Points of Interest’ services round off the infotainment package. Infotainment Online services are provided free of charge for the first year after purchasing a new car and are available at an extra cost thereafter. 

The Emergency Call after an accident is the most important feature of the Care Connect services: the Emergency Call (eCall) is sent directly to an emergency call centre whena restraint system is deployed. This comes as standard and is integrated into the Care Connect services. It also comes with a notification function for minor accidents as well as a breakdown call. Proactive Service is also included in the Care Connect services. When this is activated, all of the required data is sent to the garage in a timely manner before a vehicle’s service.

The third Care Connect service is Remote Access. ŠKODA now also offers the ŠKODA Connect app, which can be used to access and control additional services. For example: the smartphone will alert the owner if their car is being moved by a third party in an unauthorised manner – be that too fast or outside a specified area. Using the app, the route planner can be transferred from home to the navigation system in the car.

For the first time, the SmartLink all-in-one app also integrates SmartGate in the new ŠKODA Kodiaq SUV – alongside Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink™. All of the popular services are available in just one app: navigational data, music and news as well as all relevant vehicle data via the car’s infotainment system. 

Engines

Five powertrains, two TDI and three TSI engines, make up the engine range at the launch of the ŠKODA Kodiaq. They have capacities of 1.4 and 2.0 l, and power output ranges from 92 kW (125 PS) to 140 kW (190 PS). The diesel and petrol engines feature turbocharged direct injection and fulfil EU6 emission standards. All engines feature a Stop-Start system, brake energy recovery and a powerful thermo-management system, contributing to low consumption.

The 2.0 TDI is available in two versions. The first version generates 110 kW (150 PS) and 340 Nm. The top-of-the-range version delivers 140 kW (190 PS) and 400 Nm. On average, the entry-level TDI consumes 5.0 l of diesel (56.5 mpg and 131 g CO2/km) per 100 km. The most powerful diesel engine accelerates the large SUV from 0-100 km/h in 8.6 s and reaches a top speed of up to 130 mph.

The range of petrol engines consists of two 1.4 TSI engines and one 2.0 TSI. The entry-level version of the compact four-cylinder generates 92 kW (125 PS) and 200 Nm of torque. Its NEDC consumption is 6.0 l per 100 km, which corresponds to 47.1 mpg and 140 g CO2/km. In the more powerful version, the 1.4-litre exerts 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm of torque; its ACT system – Active Cylinder Technology – shuts down the second and third cylinders when the load and engine speed are low. The top-of-the-range 2.0 TSI petrol engine features a new combustion process for high efficiency. Power output is 132 kW (180 PS), torque is 320 Nm.