Skoda Kodiaq SUV - Reliability & safety

While it’s a recent model, predicting the Skoda Kodiaq’s reliability and safety is actually pretty straightforward.

Skoda Kodiaq reliability

Because it’s built on the Volkswagen Group’s ‘MQB’ platform, the Kodiaq uses conventional and proven mechanical parts. The same set of underpinnings are found in the Audi TT, A3 and Q2, while the Volkswagen Passat, Golf and Tiguan are all similar under their bodywork, as are the Skoda Octavia and Superb. You can be fairly certain, therefore, that the Kodiaq is thoroughly engineered and should stand the test of time. Its engines are similarly proven, featuring in many VW Group cars.

Its showing in our 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey is similarly reassuring, as the Kodiaq finished sixth out of the top 75 cars on sale - for the third year in a row. Owners love its engines, interior quality, ride, practicality and reliability, although electrical glitches were the most common problem reported by owners.

Skoda came 12th out of 29 manufacturers, which was a drop from its impressive fifth place result in 2020. However, only 13.8% of Skoda owners reported a fault within the first year.

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Safety

The Kodiaq was awarded a five-star rating after independent crash-testing by the experts at Euro NCAP, where it achieved a 92% rating for adult protection and 77% for the way it protected child occupants. The safety assistance systems impressed, with automatic emergency braking standard across the range. Skoda also fits all Kodiaqs with its ‘Care Connect’ feature, which will automatically contact the emergency services if the airbags are deployed in a collision.

Certain other safety systems aren’t standard, though. Only top-spec Edition Kodiaqs come with blind-spot warning, auto-dipping headlights and lane-departure warning. You’re able to add these items to lower-spec cars, but they’re unlikely to be cheap extras if the Skoda Superb’s options list is anything to go by.

If you want a semi-autonomous driving experience, go for the adaptive cruise control system along with an automatic gearbox and lane-keeping assistance. This combination of extras allows the Kodiaq to automatically match the speed of the car in front, keeping it in lane and automatically braking for you in slow-moving traffic.