Roughly four years after Skoda launched the first model in its SUV campaign, the carmaker has now upgraded the globally successful Kodiaq.
Production of the Kodiaq started in 2016, at Skoda’s Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic. As part of the brand’s SUV campaign, the carmaker invested the equivalent of over 290 million euros in modernising this site by 2018, turning it into a centre of excellence for SUV production. To meet the huge international demand for the Kodiaq, Skoda also set up production lines for its large SUV in China, India and Russia in the subsequent years. By the end of March 2021, more than 600,000 Kodiaqs have rolled off the assembly lines worldwide.
The Czech brand has further developed the emotive design of the Kodiaq, which can also be ordered as a 7-seater, and improved its aerodynamics. For the first time, the range of options for this large Skoda SUV includes innovative full-LED Matrix headlights. The sporty range-topping Kodiaq RS has not only had a visual makeover but has also been given a new, more powerful TSI engine. The updated Kodiaq will be available from July 2021.
As a result of a further refined Skoda design language, the Kodiaq presents as even more emotive and self-assured. The upgrade will be available from July 2021. The Active, Ambition and Style trims will come with aluminium-effect detail on the front and rear apron, lending the SUV even more off-road styling.
The restyled front with an elevated bonnet and the redesigned, more upright Skoda grille reinforce the Kodiaq’s bold appearance. The Czech carmaker’s large SUV features LED headlights as standard and, for the first time, can be equipped with full LED Matrix headlights.
New alloy wheels measuring up to 20 inches further enhance the car’s dynamic and striking look. Special Aero wheels, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and the new gloss black rear spoiler and finlets on the sides of the rear window all reduce drag. The Kodiaq RS now features a distinct, dynamically designed model-specific front bumper.
Skoda takes the look and feel of the Kodiaq’s interior to a new level by providing it with new decorative strips, additional contrasting stitching and enhanced LED ambient lighting functions. For the first time, the range of options for the large SUV includes ergonomic, perforated leather seats with multiway electric seat adjustment, ventilation and massage function.
The optional Eco seats available for the Ambition and Style trim levels come with high-quality seat covers made of vegan, recycled materials. The CANTON sound system is another optional extra now offering ten speakers instead of the previous eight, in addition to the central speaker in the dashboard and the subwoofer in the boot.
The Virtual Cockpit with a 10.25-inch display and four different layouts is available as an option for most models but comes as standard for the Kodiaq RS. Drivers of both the RS and the Kodiaq SPORTLINE have an additional layout to choose from, the Sport layout.
The range of assistance systems now also features an enhanced version of Crew Protect Assist. This new variant has additional radar sensors at the rear to respond to vehicles that pose a risk for a rear-end collision.
The sporty top-of-the-range Kodiaq RS has not only been provided with a visual makeover but also with a new engine. The 2.0 TSI petrol engine comes from Volkswagen Group’s EVO generation and has a power output of 180 kW (245 PS), making it 4 kW (5 PS) more powerful than the predecessor’s biturbo diesel. At the same time, this engine is more than 60 kg lighter than the TDI. Together with the new 7-speed DSG, which is 5.2 kg lighter, this power unit’s performance is even better.
The two other petrol engines, the 1.5 TSI producing 110 kW (150 PS) and the 2.0 TSI with an output of 140 kW (190 PS), as well as the 2.0 TDIs delivering 110 kW (150 PS) and 147 kW (200 PS), also come from Volkswagen Group’s latest EVO generation.
The launch of the Skoda Kodiaq marked the start of Skoda’s highly successful SUV campaign in 2016. With its striking, emotive design language, high-quality workmanship and outstanding value for money, it immediately won over customers, automotive experts and the trade press alike.
The exceptional amount of space this SUV offers, at an overall length of 4.70 m, is particularly impressive. With the optional fold-out third row of seats, the Kodiaq can accommodate up to seven occupants. Alternatively, with the rear seats folded down, the boot can hold 2,065 l of luggage.
Skoda has made specific modifications to the Kodiaq’s appearance, lending the successful SUV an even more rugged look, while also optimising its aerodynamics. The elevated and striking bonnet and the newly designed, more upright Skoda grille reinforce the car’s visual presence. The Active, Ambition and Style trim levels now sport aluminium-effect trims on the front and rear apron, enhancing the SUV’s off-road look.
The LED headlights, with optional full-LED Matrix technology, are significantly slimmer and, together with the rearranged fog lights, create a distinctive visual feature even in the dark. Skoda has also added new alloy wheels measuring up to 20 inches to the range of options for the Kodiaq. The revised Skoda Kodiaq will be on the market from July 2021.
The front section looks even more striking and the large bonnet has been raised significantly at the sides, above the front wheel arches. The hexagonal Skoda grille with bold double ribs is more upright and flanked by noticeably slimmer LED headlights which are a standard feature for the revised Kodiaq.
Together with the fog lights below or, in the range-topping version, as a separate LED module, they form a distinct four-light cluster. This distinctive feature stands out even more in the dark when, in the variant with full LED Matrix technology, the two LED modules, one above the other, are lit up permanently in driving mode.
The innovative full-LED Matrix headlights are available for the first time for the Skoda Kodiaq, as an option from the Ambition trim level and as standard in the L&K and RS variants. The technology allows drivers to have the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users.
A camera on the windscreen detects vehicles as well as people and objects reflecting the light, and the intelligent lighting technology then automatically turns off individual segments of the light beam.
Full LED Matrix headlights also provide different lighting modes for various situations and weather conditions, such as driving in the city, on the motorway, in the rain or in fog. The standard version of the LED headlights has separate LED modules for low beam and high beam, as well as for the daytime running lights, position lights and indicators. Halogen bulbs are used for the lower positioned fog lights.
The Skoda designers have also redesigned the bumpers. The body-coloured, sculptured front apron features a crystalline, mesh-effect air inlet in the lower section, with L-shaped finishing touches on the sides that look like air curtains. An aerodynamically optimised, black-grained front spoiler with an aluminium-effect trim completes the front apron.
The diffuser at the rear features the same design, with a sculptured body-coloured bumper. Below the wide loading sill, a black-grained strip flanked by two crystalline rear reflectors emphasises the vehicle’s width. The Kodiaq RS now features a distinct, dynamically designed model-specific front bumper.
The new rear spoiler in gloss black makes the body of the Kodiaq appear longer than it is. Together with side finlets, as seen in aircraft construction, the rear spoiler improves the car’s aerodynamics thereby reducing its CO2 emissions.
The third brake light is incorporated into the spoiler, and the rear window below that is narrower than before. This reinforces the SUV’s dynamic look, as do the slimmer, sharply designed taillights. They feature full LED technology as standard even in the Active trim line.
From the Ambition trim upwards, they also come with dynamic indicators and an animated welcome effect. The taillights are eye-catching with their crystalline structures and form the Skoda-typical C-shaped light cluster.
The Skoda Kodiaq’s powerful appearance is reinforced by the car’s bold, sculptured and black-grained side skirts made of robust plastic, as well as the substantial wheel arches at the front and rear with striking trims, also made of black-grained plastic. The Kodiaq comes with alloys measuring 17 to 20 inches.
The wheels, some of which have been restyled, feature a striking, Skoda-typical design and further enhance the SUV’s rugged appearance, while aerodynamically optimised 18- to 20-inch wheels contribute to reducing the vehicle’s aerodynamic drag.
The Kodiaq RS comes with new burnished 20-inch, metallic black Sagitarius alloy wheels that feature aerodynamically optimised plastic covers. The 18-inch Askella, 19-inch Cursa and 20-inch Merope alloys also make their Kodiaq debut.
Skoda takes the look and feel of its large SUV’s interior to a new level. In addition to new decorative strips, additional contrasting stitching on the dashboard and door panels are now included in the Kodiaq, which can accommodate up to seven people with an optional fold-out third row of seats.
Ventilated ergonomic seats including a massage function are available as an option for the driver and front passenger – this is a first for the model range. The LED ambient lighting now has more functions.
In addition to being extremely spacious, the Skoda Kodiaq also offers a high-quality interior with perfectly arranged details. This includes, for example, new contrasting grey – red in the Kodiaq RS – stitching that runs horizontally across the entire width of the dashboard.
New contrasting stitching can also be found in the door panels. The dashboard and doors are adorned with new brushed aluminium-effect (Ambition) or linear-diamond-design (Style) decorative strips. The door handles in the Style and L&K variants sport circular chrome trims. The LED ambient lighting now also illuminates the footwell in one of ten colour options, and the storage compartments in the front door panels in white.
When the driver’s or front passenger door is opened, the Skoda logo is projected onto the ground next to the vehicle. LED ambient lighting is available as an option for the Ambition and Style trim levels; for the L&K, SPORTLINE and RS variants this feature is part of the standard equipment.
For the first time, the Skoda Kodiaq is available with a choice of electrically adjustable ergonomic seats. They are covered in perforated leather, can be heated and ventilated, and offer a massage function. The depth of the seat can be adjusted manually if required; the memory function saves personal settings and restores them at the touch of a button.
The L&K variant features perforated leather front seats including adjustable ventilation as standard. Eco seats, featuring high-quality seat covers made of vegan, recycled materials, are available as an option for the Ambition and Style trims. The standard seats in the Ambition trim level are upholstered in a new fabric, while the M pack for Style offers fabric/leather seats as standard.
Up to the L&K variant, the Kodiaq’s multifunction leather steering wheel comes in the new Skoda design and features two spokes. A three-spoke sports leather steering wheel is available as an option, which is standard equipment in the SPORTLINE and RS variants.
A wealth of functions for the vehicle, as well as for assistance and infotainment systems, can be controlled using knurled wheels and control buttons without the driver having to take their hands off the steering wheel. Certain assistance systems also offer Hands-on Detect for the optional heated steering wheel.
Using this feature, the car can check at regular intervals whether the driver is touching the steering wheel consistently or whether they may no longer have control of the Kodiaq due to a potential medical emergency. The steering wheel of vehicles fitted with DSG can also be equipped with shift paddles to allow the driver to select the gears manually.
The optional CANTON sound system was also upgraded when the Skoda Kodiaq was revised. In addition to the central speaker in the dashboard and the subwoofer in the boot, the system now comes with ten speakers instead of the previous eight. The two new speakers are located in the front door panels and are framed by a circular chrome trim. The CANTON sound system which boasts an output of 575 watts comes as standard in the Kodiaq L&K.
The Skoda Kodiaq offers modern infotainment systems with DAB technology, the Laura digital voice assistant and an extensive range of online features including radio stations. The three infotainment systems – Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus – come from Volkswagen Group’s third-generation modular infotainment matrix and are always online thanks to a built-in eSIM. The large Skoda SUV can now be equipped with a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit.
The Skoda Kodiaq’s infotainment systems are always online due to an integrated eSIM and offer a comprehensive range of features. The Laura digital voice assistant understands 15 languages and can even process fluently spoken sentences, including Czech, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
A DAB digital radio is standard equipment, and online radio stations are available as an option. New infotainment apps include the news and weather and can connect a personal Google calendar to the vehicle. Smartphones can be paired with the Kodiaq using Wireless SmartLink technology, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay or MirrorLink.
The infotainment online services of Skoda Connect enable, among other things, remote vehicle access using the MySkoda app. This allows the owner to lock and unlock their Kodiaq via their smartphone, for example, or to display the car’s parking location on a map or activate the Honk & Flash function to make it easier to find the vehicle in a large car park.
The Bolero infotainment system and the Amundsen navigation system each offer an 8-inch touchscreen, while the display of the top-of-the-line Columbus navigation system measures 9.2 inches. Map and software updates are installed ‘over the air’. The Phone Box is available as an option, which inductively charges a smartphone. Mobile devices can also be connected and charged via modern USB-C sockets; an additional USB-C port on the rear-view mirror is an optional extra.
The Virtual Cockpit is available as an option with a 10.25-inch display and four different layouts that the driver can configure individually. The Skoda Kodiaq SPORTLINE and the Kodiaq RS both offer an additional Sport layout.
The modern and efficient engines available for the Skoda Kodiaq come from the latest EVO generation. Two diesel and three petrol engines provide power outputs ranging from 110 kW (150 PS) to 180 kW (245 PS).
The two diesel engines emit up to 80 per cent less nitrogen oxides (NOx) thanks to the application of a sophisticated ‘twin dosing’ exhaust gas treatment. The 2.0 TSI petrol engine featured in the RS variant makes its Kodiaq debut. The entry-level 1.5 TSI is the only variant available with a 6-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. A 7-speed DSG comes as standard for all other variants; an all-wheel drive is standard for the Kodiaqs producing 140 kW (190 PS) or more.
Johannes Neft, Skoda AUTO Board Member for Technical Development, said: “The EVO engines in the Kodiaq combine superior power delivery with increased efficiency and lower CO2 and NOx emissions.
The ‘twin dosing’ method of exhaust gas treatment applied in the diesel engines lowers nitrogen oxide emissions by roughly 80 per cent, while the petrol engines’ fuel consumption is reduced thanks to an injection pressure of up to 350 bar, among other things.
In the Kodiaq RS, we are – for the first time – employing a petrol engine that, being more powerful and yet lighter, makes our sporty range-topping model even more dynamic.”
Both EVO diesel engines available for the Skoda Kodiaq are equipped with an advanced SCR exhaust gas treatment system and two catalytic converters. Using what is known as ‘twin dosing’, AdBlue is specifically injected in front of two SCR catalytic converters that are arranged one after the other, reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 80 per cent.
In comparison to the engines’ predecessors, weight-optimised crankshafts and extensive modifications to the exhaust gas routing as well as the turbo, injection and thermo-management systems result in reduced fuel consumption values. The more powerful version also uses lighter aluminium pistons and the turbocharger is water-cooled.
There is a choice of front-wheel and all-wheel drive for the 2.0 TDI that produces 110 kW (150 PS). All-wheel drive is standard for the 2.0 TDI with an output of 147 kW (200 PS). Both diesel engines come with a 7-speed DSG.
The EVO-generation petrol engines are even more efficient than their predecessors. A high injection pressure of up to 350 bar ensures lower hydraulic losses and a reduced fuel delivery rate. Furthermore, the 1.5 TSI is equipped with Active Cylinder Technology (ACT), which automatically shuts down two cylinders when the engine load is low, thus reducing consumption.
The 1.5 TSI is the entry-level model, available exclusively with front-wheel drive and the only Kodiaq variant to come with a manual 6-speed transmission. A 7-speed DSG is available as an option, which – together with all-wheel drive – is part of the standard specification for the 2.0 TSI with an output
