Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Skoda Kodiaq review – more practical and higher quality than before

“The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq improves not only in practicality and clever features, but it’s also much better quality”

Carbuyer Rating

4.3 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Price
£36,645 - £48,725

Pros

  • High-quality interior with more flair
  • Well equipped
  • Plug-in hybrid has impressive EV range

Cons

  • Diesel is a little slower than before
  • Not particularly exciting to drive
  • Plug-in hybrid only has five seats

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

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. 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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Skoda Kodiaq is currently available in just two trims, badged SE and SE L and starting from just over £36,000, or £1,000 more if you want seven seats. A Sportline variant is due to hit showrooms later, as well as a hot vRS model.

Trim levels

Power options

  • SE
  • SE L
  • Sportline (to arrive later)
  • vRS (to arrive later)
  • 148bhp 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol
  • 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel
  • 190bhp 2.0-litre mild-hybrid TDI diesel
  • 201bhp 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid petrol

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 TSI e-TEC SE 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £36,645

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5 TSI iV 204 SE 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £41,935

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 TDI 193 SE L 4X4 5dr DSG [7 Seat]
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £46,225

Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

All-new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater added to VW’s SUV lineup
Volkswagen Tayron driving front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Volkswagen Tayron seven-seater added to VW’s SUV lineup

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit
Dacia Bigster front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV
Vauxhall Grandland front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV

Like the new Skoda Elroq? Our alternative picks cost over £10k less
Skoda Elroq front quarter
News
4 Oct 2024

Like the new Skoda Elroq? Our alternative picks cost over £10k less

Have You Considered

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV
Vauxhall Grandland front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
9 Oct 2024

Vauxhall Grandland review – better than before and available as an EV

Lexus RZ SUV review
Lexus RX 300e front quarter
In-depth reviews
1 Oct 2024

Lexus RZ SUV review

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
11 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit
Dacia Bigster front quarter
News
9 Oct 2024

All-new Dacia Bigster: flagship SUV arrives with 4x4, hybrid power and off-road kit

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV
Renault 5 front quarter
In-depth reviews
7 Oct 2024

Renault 5 review – iconic supermini reinvented as an EV

More on Kodiaq

The 10 best large SUVs on sale in 2024
Best large SUVs
Best cars
25 Sep 2024

The 10 best large SUVs on sale in 2024

Large SUVs combine cavernous space, bold looks and a commanding view of the road – here are the 10 worth buying
Top 10 best large family cars 2024
Best large family cars
Best cars
18 Sep 2024

Top 10 best large family cars 2024

Large families require a large family car – we run down the best options on sale today
The best 7-seater cars to buy in 2024
Best seven seater cars
Best cars
21 Aug 2024

The best 7-seater cars to buy in 2024

These seven-seater cars have room for all the family but they’re still great to drive
Top 10 most reliable cars 2024
Most reliable cars
Best cars
31 Jul 2024

Top 10 most reliable cars 2024

The 2024 Driver Power owner’s survey has revealed the UK’s most reliable cars – here’s the top 10
The best family cars 2024
The top 10 best family cars
Best cars
19 Jul 2024

The best family cars 2024

The 10 best family cars you can buy all offer space, comfort and plenty of technology
Top marks! New Skoda Kodiaq and Superb achieve five-star safety scores
Skoda Kodiaq static
News
15 Jul 2024

Top marks! New Skoda Kodiaq and Superb achieve five-star safety scores

Skoda has been awarded the highest Euro NCAP safety rating for its new family cars, the Superb and Kodiaq
Best used SUVs to buy in 2024
Top 10 best used SUVs
Best cars
5 Jul 2024

Best used SUVs to buy in 2024

There are plenty of great used SUVs to choose from – we pick the 10 models that you should be looking at
Citroen e-C3 crowned Britain’s best new car
Citroen C3
News
3 Jul 2024

Citroen e-C3 crowned Britain’s best new car

The judges have voted and the winners are in for the 2024 Auto Express Car of the Year Awards
Skip advert
Advertisement
Top 10 best diesel cars on sale today
Best diesel cars
Best cars
28 Jun 2024

Top 10 best diesel cars on sale today

Diesel cars are a great choice for drivers who cover long distances on the motorway – we cover the 10 best
Top 10 best used 7-seater cars 2024
Used 7-seater cars
Best cars
12 Jun 2024

Top 10 best used 7-seater cars 2024

More seats doesn’t have to mean more expensive thanks to these great used seven-seater cars
All-new Skoda Kodiaq: prices, specs, plug-in hybrid option and full details
New Skoda Kodiaq front quarter
News
10 Jun 2024

All-new Skoda Kodiaq: prices, specs, plug-in hybrid option and full details

The Skoda Kodiaq enters its second generation with a plug-in powertrain for the first time
Top 10 best automatic cars 2024
best automatic cars
Best cars
8 May 2024

Top 10 best automatic cars 2024

Not a fan of shifting gears yourself? You’ll want to take a look at our list of the best automatic cars
Top 10 best tow cars 2024
Best tow cars
Best cars
31 Jan 2024

Top 10 best tow cars 2024

Choosing the best tow car can be tricky, so we’ve selected a range of our favourite cars with excellent towing credentials
The 10 cheapest seven-seater cars 2024
Cheapest seven seater cars
Best cars
26 Jan 2024

The 10 cheapest seven-seater cars 2024

More seats doesn’t always have to mean more expensive. Here are the cheapest cars on sale in the UK with seven seats
Skoda Kodiaq SUV review (2016-2024)
Best Large Family Car: Skoda Kodiaq
In-depth reviews
18 Jan 2024

Skoda Kodiaq SUV review (2016-2024)

“The Skoda Kodiaq offers seven seats, excellent value for money and a decent driving experience”
Top 10 best 4x4s and SUVs
The best 4x4s and SUVs 2023 hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best 4x4s and SUVs

We pick out the top 10 best 4x4s and SUVs, including our favourite choices for a range of budgets
Top 10 best used family cars 2024
The best used family cars hero
Best cars
29 Nov 2023

Top 10 best used family cars 2024

If you're looking for a second-hand car to ferry your loved ones around in, here's our list of the best used family cars
Skip advert
Advertisement
Top 9 most reliable family cars 2023
Most reliable family car
Best cars
24 Aug 2023

Top 9 most reliable family cars 2023

These are the most reliable family cars according to our latest Driver Power survey
Top 10 most reliable SUVs
The most reliable SUVs 2023 hero
Best cars
11 Aug 2023

Top 10 most reliable SUVs

These are the top 10 most reliable SUVs on sale in the UK in 2023, ranked by you
Top 10 best cars for cyclists and bikes
Land Rover Discovery with roof-mounted bike
Best cars
16 Jan 2023

Top 10 best cars for cyclists and bikes

Cycling is a popular hobby, but a suitable vehicle for transporting your equipment makes life far easier. Here are 10 of the best cars for cyclists an…
Top 10 best economical 4x4s, SUVs and crossovers
Hyundai Tucson header
Best cars
5 Dec 2022

Top 10 best economical 4x4s, SUVs and crossovers

SUVs and 4x4s don't have to be gas guzzlers; we've picked out some of the best fuel-sipping 4x4s you can buy
Nissan X-Trail vs Skoda Kodiaq – which should you buy?
Header
News
17 Nov 2022

Nissan X-Trail vs Skoda Kodiaq – which should you buy?

Looking for a practical seven-seat SUV? We compare two of the most popular choices
Skoda Kodiaq vRS SUV review
Skoda Kodiaq vRS - front 3/4 cornering
In-depth reviews
10 Mar 2022

Skoda Kodiaq vRS SUV review

"The Kodiaq vRS is fast, but struggles to justify its price and sporty badge"

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024