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In-depth reviews

Skoda Kodiaq - Interior, design & technology

Plenty of clever touches abound inside the Skoda Kodiaq, although seven-seat rivals offer better passenger space

Interior, design and technology rating

4.5

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From the outside, the shape of the Skoda Kodiaq is an evolution of the previous generation’s, with sharper lines and a few more angles. It’s a similar story inside, where the car features digital dials, more shapes and a large central touchscreen that incorporates plenty of familiar Skoda cues.

What is the Skoda Kodiaq like inside?

The Kodiaq’s layout is similar to the one found in the latest Superb family car, with most of the car’s controls set in the main touchscreen, while beneath the central air vents are a trio of rotary dials with digital displays that adjust different climate functions. The steering wheel is a two-spoke design that has been seen in a number of other Skoda models (SportLine versions replace this with a racier three-spoke wheel), and it features a pair of neat knurled volume and station-selection switches.

What is the interior quality like? 

The standard of the materials used in the Kodiaq is pretty good on the whole, and the grey plastic trim on the doors and across the middle of the dashboard has been given a unique finish that’s somewhere between rubber and fabric. There’s a surprisingly plush centre armrest for the back seats, too.

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The three separate rotary climate controllers are a welcome addition, but they do feel a little flimsy. A silver finish gives the look of metal, but the knobs are plasticky to the touch and move around in your hand when you use them. The rotating action isn’t very smooth, either, which leaves you with the impression that they’re cheaply made.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

All Kodiaqs come with a 13-inch landscape display that’s squarer than many rival systems. The home screen features large tiles that can be configured to show the most frequently used functions, while there are smaller shortcut keys across the top and bottom of the display. 

The system works well and looks sharp, although the flat screen layout means the farthest corners are tricky to reach for the driver. The live feed from the reversing camera isn’t as crisp as the rest of the display, either.

As part of Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ solutions, a lipstick-sized screen cleaner is included that allows you to wipe greasy fingerprints off the display.

There’s a 10.25-inch driver’s display, too, which is controlled via the steering wheel and offers a variety of layouts, including the option of showing the navigation mapping.

An eight-speaker sound system with a DAB radio is standard, but there is an optional 12-speaker Canton sound system available on all trims as part of the Convenience Plus Package. 

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Senior test editor

Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.

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