Skoda Kodiaq: More space and new operating concept
The Skoda Kodiaq has been on the market since 2016. In 2021, the largest SUV of the Czechs received a facelift. Now the new edition is ready, which celebrated its world premiere yesterday in Berlin. The second generation now offers even more space and comes with a number of innovations, including the so-called top LED matrix headlights with their horizontal light band and 15 percent higher luminous efficacy. In addition, the Kodiak is the first Skoda to carry the new Modern Solid design language.
The new design is more of an evolution than a revolution, as becomes apparent during the first tour. Although the Czech now has more beads and thus looks a bit more angular, the silhouette still looks very familiar.
Sustainable materials
In the interior, Skoda relies on sustainable materials on the upholstery, whose textiles are made of 100 percent recycled polyester. On the other hand, if leather upholstery is chosen, it has been tanned from coffee bean residue or olive processing wastewater. No less new is the 13-inch multimedia touchscreen, which can be operated intuitively. Directly below the monitor are also three rotary controls with built-in screens - similar to those found in Land Rover.
The new operating concept, which Skoda calls Smart Dials, can be used to change the climate settings, activate the seat heating, or adjust the volume of the sound system, among other things. The new operating concept leaves a haptically valuable impression, and the rotary pushbuttons are also flexibly programmable. Another new feature for the Kodiaq is the head-up display, which is available for the first time.
In addition, two smartphones can be charged simultaneously inductively in the center console. And to prevent the cell phones from heating up during charging, they are cooled to protect the batteries. The Skoda offers plenty of storage options inside, and clever solutions such as the umbrellas in the doors have also been retained in the new model.
With an exterior length of 4.76 meters, the Kodiaq has grown by six centimeters compared to its predecessor. This has further improved the already quite good amount of space, which is also noticeable in the second and third rows of seats. As before, the Czechs continue to offer the Kodiaq as a five- or optional seven-seater, and there is more airy freedom of movement overall.
Plug-in hybrid for the first time
Two diesels and two gasoline engines are on offer. The engines produce between 150 hp (110 kW) and 204 hp (150 kW). There is also a plug-in hybrid for the first time, which is said to be able to run on electricity for over 100 kilometers and charge quickly. The 150 hp 1.5 TSI, on the other hand, is a mild hybrid. However, the Czechs do not offer a purely electric version for the Kodiaq and refer to the other e-models in the portfolio.
The new Skoda Kodiaq will launch next spring in 2024, and the entry-level 150 hp 1.5 TSI variant is expected to start at 40,000 euros. Thus, the Czech SUV flagship will hardly be more expensive despite better equipment and more modern technology (mild hybrid as well as DSG as standard). (aum/gb)
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