We test the new Skoda Kodiaq to see if it still has what it takes to fend off its fierce competition.
We test the new Skoda Kodiaq to see if it still has what it takes to fend off its fierce competition.
A Kodiak is a very distinct species of bear that’s found only in a certain archipelago in Alaska. But Skoda’s Kodiaq only shares its name with the Alaskan bear species. If you consider the full-size SUV segment as a bear world, the Toyota Fortuner is the Grizzly Bear, the discontinued Ford Endeavour is the extinct Atlas Bear, the MG Gloster is the Panda, and the Jeep Meridian is the Polar Bear.
While larger than before, the new Kodiaq is still pretty agile. Its 18-inch alloy wheels, long wheelbase and overall height give it a mean stance, and when needed the Kodiaq can pounce into action. The in-lit grille adds to this appeal. The muscular rear haunches also offer visual strength.
There’s enough space inside the Kodiaq and it’s very comfortable. The 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is standard on both the variants, looks great, it has great graphics but it’s a bit slow to react. There is a bit of lag. The 10.25-inch virtual cluster is also pretty nice with crisp graphics.
But what’s really innovative about the interior is not two ventilated wireless chargers, which is great in its own right, nor is it the umbrella in the doors, nor is it the gear lever that moved up to the steering column. It’s the three dials that control so many different functions in the car. The two in the corner control the seat heating, ventilation and temperature and the middle one’s the most versatile. It can control the fan speed, adjust the volume and even change the driving modes. It also has the option of either controlling the zoom on the map, air direction and the AC. Pretty nifty.
The second row in the Kodiaq is a decent place to be. It’s comfortable enough, and three passengers can sit beside each other in relative comfort. But gone are those headrest extensions that allowed the rear occupants to sleep comfortably. Should not have skipped out on that.Space can be increased for the third-row passengers if the second row ones oblige. But still, only ideal for shorter journeys for adults or sufficient for children otherwise.
Skoda has been a champion in safety. All its cars in India have a five-star crash safety rating, and the Kodiaq does too but from Euro NCAP. You get 9 airbags and things like stability control, antilock brakes, isofix for the first and second rows, etc. But there’s no ADAS, and Skoda says it will come. When, we don’t know!
There’s only one petrol engine on offer in India with the familiar 7-speed dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive, but Skoda is considering getting a diesel one too. When? Dunno. But that’s better than a blanket no-diesel stance the brand has taken off late, right?
The petrol engine in this one is known and is shared with Audi and Volkswagen. Compared to the last car, it makes 13 bhp more, and there's a decent mid-range and within the city, you'll feel no lag in power. The shifts from this dual-clutch automatic are precise, keeping you in the powerband. It also has cylinder deactivation, which helps with fuel efficiency, especially when driving through the urban jungle.
There’s no doubt the Kodiaq is a big SUV, and it shows. For a car this size, the Kodiaq handles well. It's not as sporty as the Volkswagen Tigaun with which it shares its platform, this one's designed to be more plush and comfortable. But there is bod rroll, but the Kodiaq does not step out of the line. The steering is quite precise. It feels direct because there's plenty of grip coming from the 18-inch tyres and good torque distribution between all four wheels.
The Kodiaq is available in two variants – Sportline and Laurin & Klement – and both are quite similar in terms of kit. What the Sportline misses out on are a 360-degree camera, drive modes, parking assist, and massage seats with ventilation. Though the L&K gets a two-spoke steering wheel, the Sportline gets a three-spoke one.
Despite local assembly, Skoda missed a golden chance to price the Kodiaq aggressively.The Fortuner remains the alpha in the bear pack despite ageing and lacking features.
All the rivals have a diesel. Kodi needs to get one to be truly relevant. But there will enough takers for the plush and well built new generation car anyway. Would you buy one? Let us know in the comments.
Photography by Anand Malepu
