Skoda Kodiaq RS review: Big Bear – Introduction

We’ve had the Skoda Kodiaq in India earlier than, however by no means the sporty RS model. That, nevertheless, is ready to vary with the arrival of the second-generation mannequin. The common Kodiaq will launch right here within the April quarter, and the RS model will seemingly arrive by October, however in contrast to the common Kodiaq, the RS will are available as a CBU import, which means it is going to be expensive.

Skoda Kodiaq RS exterior design and engineering (score 7/10)

The Kodiaq is much less SUV-like than earlier than, however you received’t mistake it for an property.

Segmented grille DRL is unique to the RS model.

The Skoda Kodiaq – named after the Kodiak bear – was first unveiled in 2016, with the second technology coming in late 2023. It’s constructed on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB Evo platform, a spinoff of the earlier automobile’s MQB platform. The brand new automobile has grown 60mm longer however is about 10mm decrease, giving it a extra elongated stance. However whereas it’s much less SUV-like than earlier than, you received’t mistake it for an property.

The RS model stands out with a blacked-out grille, decrease bumper air intakes and a cool-looking segmented DRL that runs between the grille’s slats and extends into the headlight daytime working lamps (DRLs). Like the usual automobile, the headlamps are cut up LED Matrix items.

Kodiaq RS comes with unique 20-inch alloy wheels

Alloys are designed with aero effectivity in thoughts.

Unique to the RS are two 20-inch alloy wheel designs with pink brake calipers, black cladding across the wheels, and black accents on the decrease sill, wing mirrors and the B, C and D pillars. On the rear, the tail-lights have a cool cut up and mirrored look, the decrease half extending right into a reflector bar throughout the boot lid, with Skoda’s lettermark changing the brand. The rear windshield is topped by a deep spoiler and flanked by fins which are completed in black. Skoda says these help airflow across the automobile, serving to scale back the drag coefficient of the new-gen Kodiaq from 0.31 to 0.28.

Skoda Kodiaq RS inside area and luxury (score 8.5/10)

Inside area is loads and its snug too contained in the Skoda Kodiaq RS

There’s a great deal of area throughout; the rear legroom and headroom are spectacular.

The within is an all-black affair, from the headliner to the carpets. You may select between suede or leather-based trim on the sports activities seats, dashboard, door pads and centre armrest, however solely in a single color – black. And what actually units it off is the full of life distinction from the pink stitching throughout the cabin.

The three-spoke steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather-based appears to be like neat, with RS badging on the backside. It’s good to carry and has the acquainted and easy-to-use scroll wheels.

Skoda has put the additional size to good use. There’s ample headroom on the entrance and rear, and even with the entrance seats set rearward for taller passengers, second-row occupants can have loads of legroom. This may be adjusted additional, on condition that the second row slides and reclines.

Just like the earlier automobile, the brand new Kodiaq will also be had as a 7-seater, with the third row stowing away neatly within the boot flooring. Our automobile was the 5-seat variant, so we’ll reserve judgement on the third row, however the boot area is gigantic. With out the third row, boot area is an enormous 910 litres, and even with it in place, there’s 340 litres. There’s additionally a spare tyre and an area for the cargo cowl beneath the ground.

Most of my time was spent driving, however having inspected the second row, it appeared comfortable sufficient regardless of the 40:20:40 cut up, which generally tends to make the person seats too small. The entrance sports activities seats on the RS are very nice, and the bolstering held me properly in place throughout some spirited driving within the hills.

Skoda Kodiaq RS efficiency and refinement (score 7.5/10)

The Kodiaq RS isn’t firecracker fast nevertheless it’s simply sufficient to justify an RS badge

2.0 TSI is a cheerful cruiser and might ship sturdy acceleration, however you’ll be able to really feel it working onerous.

The Kodiaq RS packs the VW Group’s acquainted 2.0-litre TSI engine. This unit additionally powers the common Kodiaq, however underneath the hood of the RS, the output is bumped as much as 265hp and 400Nm. By the way, the ability is an identical to the Octavia RS, which has the identical engine, however the torque is 30Nm extra right here. The output is sufficient to propel the Kodiaq RS’ 1.8-tonne mass from 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds, which is loads fast for what can also be a real household SUV.

Drive it sedately, and the Kodiaq RS is glad to cruise steadily all day with the engine properly relaxed. And, must you want a fast overtake, mashing the throttle will drop a couple of gears, supplying you with momentum shortly sufficient. The 7-speed DSG gearbox did journey up sometimes whereas trundling by some low-speed visitors. In Sport mode, the shifts are fast, and the engine is stored properly on the boil, so overtaking at any level may be very fast and straightforward.

Engine is aurally enhanced with synthetic soundtrack

The engine word does sound good, nevertheless it’s enhanced with what Skoda calls Dynamic Sound Increase, which augments the automobile’s actual exhaust word with a synthetic soundtrack.

Skoda Kodiaq RS mileage (score 6/10)

The Skoda Kodiaq RS gas effectivity is not going to be very excessive, count on a single digit vary solely.

We didn’t get to check the mileage of the Kodiaq RS in Croatia however given the engine’s output, the automobile’s 1.8-tonne weight, and the truth that you’ll be able to really feel and even hear the engine working onerous, don’t count on gas effectivity to be spectacular in any respect.

Skoda Kodiaq RS trip consolation and dealing with (score 7.5/10)

In consolation mode, there may be some float, however in all different areas trip and dealing with is sweet within the Kodiaq RS

The physique does roll in corners, however Sport mode tidies that up properly.

Placing down the RS’ energy is an 4×4 driveline with spectacular grip. We had some snowy climate, and driving to a mountain ski resort over moist roads, I all the time felt assured and was in a position to keep a very good tempo. The RS has adaptive dampers, and in Sport mode, they do a very good job of preserving physique roll in test.

What’s good is that the trip doesn’t get lumpy. In reality, I discovered myself utilizing the firmer damper setting even on freeway stretches, as in Consolation mode, there’s some physique float over undulating surfaces and lean in corners.

There’s a variable-rack steering, which adjusts the ratio for much less steering enter round bends. These programs usually corrupt the texture, however that’s not the case right here, with Kodiaq RS’ steering offering sufficient weight and precision.

Skoda Kodiaq RS options and security (score 8.5/10)

You may count on the Kodiaq RS to be well-equipped

The all-black inside appears to be like sporty, and vibrant pink stitching is loads however not overdone. The touchscreen is a brand new 13-inch unit that’s slick to make use of.

Gear-wise, there are all of the anticipated bits, together with 3-zone local weather management, a 10-inch Digital Cockpit instrument panel and a free-standing 10-inch infotainment display screen or an optionally available 13-inch unit like we had on our take a look at automobile.

India-spec mannequin ought to include sunroof

What was not on our take a look at automobile was a sunroof, however given the recognition right here, count on the India mannequin to get one. Being a Skoda, the Kodiaq packs in lots of ‘Merely Intelligent’ bits, like particular storage spots for the important thing fob and telephones and even a helpful little duster to wipe the touchscreen clear. You may count on the India-spec automobile to be well-equipped with all of the anticipated security bits, too.

Skoda Kodiaq RS worth and verdict (score 7/10)

The Kodiaq RS isn’t a wild baby, it’s a household SUV with a pleasant sporty facet to it.

If every thing goes in response to plan, Skoda says we will count on the Kodiaq RS in India by October, and, importantly, native manufacturing is a risk in a while. So, whereas its on a regular basis sibling might be competitively priced, the RS will most undoubtedly not be, as it is going to are available as a CBU for now. Anticipate an asking worth of round Rs 60 lakh, which is wading into conventional luxury-brand territory, and for some, that would appear like some huge cash for a Skoda.

However the Kodiaq RS does quite a bit to entice you to look previous all that. There’s an enormous quantity of area throughout and the choice of three rows of seats. It’s snug and rides effectively, and you’ll count on the India automobile to be well-equipped with all of the anticipated security bits, too. So, it’s received ‘household SUV’ off pat.

However what in regards to the sporty facet that the RS badge guarantees? It’s not mild and nimble for certain, nevertheless it’s loads fast in a straight line, and the 4×4 drivetrain provides you ample grip in corners. Plus, the engine sounds enjoyable. So, for that cash, then, there actually is nothing fairly prefer it.

Additionally see:

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