New Skoda Kodiaq vRS on sale now from £44,635

Skoda’s facelifted version of the Kodiaq vRS is available to order in the UK now, with prices starting from £44,635.

Unlike the old Skoda Kodiaq vRS – which was powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine – this updated variant features the same 242bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit as the new Octavia vRS and the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The Kodiaq vRS’s new petrol engine has an extra 5bhp over the old diesel unit. More importantly though, it’s 60kg lighter, which Skoda says has trimmed the hot SUV’s 0–62mph time by 0.5 seconds to 6.6 seconds. Top speed has also climbed by 5mph to 144mph.

Power goes to all four wheels via a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which is also 5.2kg lighter than the transmission fitted to the previous diesel variant. Progressive power steering and adaptive dampers also come as standard, both of which can be customised using Skoda’s Dynamic Chassis Control system.

Other standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, revised vRS bumpers, gloss black roof rails and twin-exit exhausts. Buyers also get the same Matrix LED headlamps found on the recently updated standard Kodiaq, along with a fresh bonnet and a reshaped radiator grille.

Inside, buyers get Skoda’s usual suite of vRS tweaks, which includes vRS-branded sports seats, a leather-trimmed sports steering and red stitching for the dashboard. There’s also some updated door trims with microsuede upholstery, while the standard cloth headliner can optioned out for a microsuede alternative.

Skoda’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel also comes as standard on the Kodiaq vRS, which adds a 10.25-inch screen in place of the standard car’s analogue gauges. To complement the unit, there’s a 9.2-inch central touchscreen infotainment system with wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Buyers get a whole host of drive assistance technology, including parking assist, a rear-view camera, autonomous emergency braking and Travel Assist, which uses the adaptive cruise control and adaptive lane assist systems to assume control of the vehicle on the motorway, providing the driver supervises.

Now read all the latest news about the facelifted standard Skoda Kodiaq…