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Once in a while though a brand will pull off a real success story and the Skoda Kodiaq is a case in point . It is a big , bold shape that maximises the potential of a vehicle in this sector . It is Skoda ’ s first attempt at a sevenseat car and they have hit the bulls-eye .
GREAT VALUE With prices starting at under £ 22,000 it is great value too . Even the range-topping , 2.0L
178bhp turbo-petrol model featured here , loaded with extras , still only rings the till at £ 35,000 . With what you get it is something of a bargain .
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Technology fans will not be disappointed . At higher spec levels all the goodies we have come to expect are on board : Columbus satellite navigation and infotainment packed into an 8 ” screen with DAB , Bluetooth , Smartlink and SD card-readers and the like means contact with the outside world remains as comprehensive as being in the office .
Safety and security is taken care of by multi-collision brake , ABS and all the usual road safety suspects known by their acronyms ; plus the optional all-wheel drive and KESSY – keyless entry with alarm and interior monitoring .
INTERIOR Available with five or seven seats , the Skoda Kodiaq has the capacity to carry the long distance load when only one car has to do for business or family fun . Quality is very good , too . No longer the poor relation brand , Skoda have , with the Kodiaq ( and the Superb hatchback ), delivered an interior that isn ’ t far
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off the level of classy perfection and comfort found in higher-end Volkswagens . Plastics are solid and details like the door bins and soft-touch materials help to further diminish the reputation of old .
The driving position is high , mighty and just about perfect . There ’ s plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel to set everything up to suit most sizes of driver . Passengers have loads of room and even with the rear seats in the up position the boot is more than ample for a big shopping trip . With the seats down it is cavernous . I thought I heard an echo .
ON THE ROAD The Skoda Kodiaq is big all right but it is very manouverable . Depending upon engine choice performance varies from acceptable to really quite sporty as in the 2.0L TSI featured here with a 7 ratio DSG gearbox . Automatic is the way to go here , being superior to the bog-standard six-speed manual which somehow doesn ’ t really suit the car .
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There ’ s a variety of petrol and diesel engines on offer with a hybrid on the way for 2019 . Even though diesel is out of favour these days , I would suggest that it is still the way to go . The 2.0L petrol is a tad thirsty especially , as was the case during this test week , when the car was loaded to the roof with luggage and people . There are more economical petrol engines available though .
Big SUVs have a tendency to sway a bit through the corners – but not the Kodiaq . Compared with rivals it ’ s remarkably agile and good to drive . There ’ s loads of grip , especially with AWD and ride comfort is up there with the best .
I can see this car as being a good business / family choice . Running costs and BIK rival the prestige saloons with the added benefit of immense practicality .
Written by Geoff Maxted www . drivewrite . co . uk
@ DriveWrite
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