Skoda Kodiaq review – more practical and higher quality than before

Verdict – is the Skoda Kodiaq a good car?

The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq might not look all that different to the old model from the outside, but it’s slightly bigger, meaning it’s got an even larger boot and more passenger space than before. It’s also well equipped, so it delivers on Skoda’s famed practicality and value for money. On top of that, the interior is of a much higher quality and the whole car feels well-engineered, making it even more versatile. The new Kodiaq iV plug-in model features a brilliant 71-mile electric range and low emissions for company-car buyers, but because it can only be had with five seats some rivals have the edge on versatility.

Skoda Kodiaq models, specs and alternatives

The Skoda Kodiaq has long been a favourite large SUV of ours, snatching the win as our Large Family Car of choice in the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2023 and 2024. Now an all-new second-generation model has arrived, and with the first Kodiaq having been such a hit, it’s got a lot to live up to.

Just like the original Skoda Kodiaq and other models from the Czech brand, the latest car is all about practicality and value for money. This time around, though, Skoda has put even more thought into quality, and while the old car didn’t try to reinvent the wheel, the new one gets a more radical interior, while the exterior doesn’t stray too far from the old design.

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It is slightly bigger, and those larger dimensions, plus a clever layout on the inside means the Kodiaq is even more spacious. Like before, it comes with the choice of five or seven seats.

While many manufacturers may have given up on diesel, Skoda still offers the Kodiaq with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, and it can also be had with two or four-wheel drive, although the latter is limited to pricey range-topping diesels. The latest model is automatic only, but we doubt many buyers will miss a manual gearbox in a big SUV like this. 

A plug-in hybrid model badged the Kodiaq iV joined the lineup later and comes with the benefit of an electric range of up to 71 miles which will come in useful for shorter trips around town. Its motor may only produce a modest power figure, but it feels punchier than you’d expect and is well suited to everyday driving. There’s a glaring problem with it though – adding the plug-in hybrid powertrain means you have to sacrifice the third row of seats, so the Kodiaq iV is only available with five, which makes it less versatile than the rest of the range, and some rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe. On the flipside, the Kodiaq iV has a much bigger battery, giving it an engine-off range double that of the Hyundai.

The Skoda Kodiaq is currently available in three trims, badged SE, SE L and SportLine and starting from just over £36,000, or £1,000 more if you want seven seats. The Sportline variant brings more aggressive looks, and a hot vRS model is also expected to join the range.

Skoda Kodiaq alternatives

The SUV market has exploded in the UK in recent times, so the Skoda Kodiaq isn’t short of rivals. As is usually the case with Skodas, the Kodiaq is a large SUV that aims to offer good value for money by offering the sort of space and features you’d expect from more expensive models.

• Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
• SEAT Tarraco
• Peugeot 5008
• Citroen C5 Aircross
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Kia Sorento
• Land Rover Discovery Sport

Should you buy a Skoda Kodiaq?

The Skoda Kodiaq is improved in almost every area over the old model, getting an extra dose of quality and practicality that makes it a great choice for a large family. There are areas where the brand has stuck to what it knows, with its limited petrol and diesel engine range from launch, for example, but the arrival of a plug-in hybrid for the first time has added even more choice for buyers, although having to sacrifice seven seats for five in the Kodiaq iV is a big compromise that you don’t have to make in rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV – even if that car has a less impressive electric range.

Skoda’s largest SUV is the epitome of the brand’s identity, with plenty of clever practical features that buyers will appreciate, and make genuine use of, rather than serving as gimmicks.

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While it may not matter to the majority of Skoda customers the interior offers a little more flair than that of the outgoing Kodiaq. The brand’s largest SUV isn’t the most exciting thing to behold from outside or to drive, though time will tell whether the vRS version arriving later down the line can inject a little more pizzazz. 

For now, if you’re looking for a large practical SUV that’s also fun to drive and has more badge appeal, you’d be better off looking at something from BMW if your budget stretches to it – for everything else though, the Skoda Kodiaq is the right choice, delivering everything a large family could need.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Skoda Kodiaq range?

If it was our money, we’d stick to the entry-level Skoda Kodiaq SE with the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine. It’s well-equipped with everything you really need, and that entry-level engine is potent enough for most buyers, striking a good balance between around-town driving capability and with enough power for the occasional stint on the motorway when needed.

How we tested the Skoda Kodiaq

We’ve driven the Skoda Kodiaq extensively in the UK and Spain, in both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid Kodiaq iV guises, in April and September 2024.

Visit our sister site Auto Express for an alternative view on the Skoda Kodiaq...