Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Skoda Kodiaq review

The Skoda Kodiaq succeeds in covering all the requirements of a family SUV; it’s just not exciting to drive

Overall Auto Express rating

4.5

How we review cars
Price
£36,645 - £48,725
  • Well-equipped
  • Good ergonomics
  • Massive boot
  • Not fun to drive
  • Sluggish engines
  • Floaty ride
Find your Skoda Kodiaq
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Quick verdict

The Skoda Kodiaq follows the same award-winning formula as the original and makes it even better. It’s even more practical thanks to a bigger boot and extra cabin space, which are impressive feats. Combined with solid build quality and a good level of standard kit means the Kodiaq provides strong competition in the large SUV market, and that’s why we’ve given it our best large SUV award.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The engine line up and driving experience focus on efficiency and comfort rather than engagement, which is a decision we can understand. Throw-in a sensible pricing list for the petrol and diesel models and the Skoda Kodiaq is already a class leader ahead of the all-new plug-in hybrid version coming later on.

Key specs 
Fuel typePetrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Body styleSUV
Powertrain1.5-litre, 4cyl, petrol, front-wheel drive
2.0-litre, 4cyl, diesel, front-wheel drive
2.0-litre, 4cyl, diesel, four-wheel drive
2.0-litre, 4cyl, petrol, four-wheel drive
1.5-litre, 4 cyl, petrol plus 1x e motor, front-wheel drive
SafetyFive-star Euro NCAP (2024)
WarrantyThree years/60,000 miles

Skoda Kodiaq: price, specs and rivals

The first-generation Skoda Kodiaq was one of our favourite SUVs, evidenced by its 2023 Large SUV of the Year award where our judges placed it ahead of many newer rivals. It was a well-deserved win because the brand’s flagship internal combustion engine model provided a great mixture of exceedingly good practicality combined with highly competitive pricing. But after seven years, the Czech firm has introduced the second-generation model, which only builds on the positives of its predecessor, to such an extent that we’ve given it our 2024 Large SUV of the Year award, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Fans of the previous generation Kodiaq will be pleased to know that the same basic formula remains, with a choice of five or seven seats, two or four-wheel drive, and petrol or diesel power. The difference this time is that there’s a plug-in hybrid in the range, which provides up to 62 miles of electric range and incorporates rapid charging – a technological first for the Kodiaq. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

It might seem like the Skoda Kodiaq has all the bases covered for a great family SUV, but as ever, it’s an incredibly tough sector with the likes of the Peugeot 5008, Ford Kuga, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento all fighting it out for sales. There’s also the Kodiaq’s Volkswagen Tiguan sibling, too. Competition from VW for the seven-seat Kodiaq will come in the form of the VW Tayron, which will replace the old Tiguan Allspace. While the Kodiaq is one of the cheapest seven-seat SUVs, if you’re looking for similar practicality on a budget, there are alternatives such as the Dacia Jogger and van-based MPVs such as the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Tourneo Connect, and Vauxhall Combo Life to consider. 

The Kodiaq is offered in entry-level SE and more upmarket SE L trim levels. A sportier-looking Sportline trim will be offered by the middle of 2024, along with a hot VRS version that will return to the lineup sometime towards the end of the year. The SE kicks off the range at just over £36,000 in five-seat form and over £37,000 with seven-seats. Both can be had with either the 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI 48v mild-hybrid petrol unit or the 2.0-litre TDI 148bhp diesel, and use a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Step up to the SE L, and you’ll get the seven-seat layout as standard, starting at just over £40,000. Along with those two powertrains mentioned above, the SE L is available with a more powerful 190bhp mild-hybrid 2.0-litre diesel engine with four-wheel drive kicking off at around £46,000. In the fullness of time, there will be a 201bhp 2.0-litre petrol, and a similarly powerful 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid model. The latter will feature a 25.7kWh battery pack that’s capable of up to 62 miles of electric driving, and it has rapid charging capability to match plug-in hybrid versions of the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Beyond the SE, SE L and the forthcoming Sportline and VRS trim levels, Skoda also offers a range of four ‘Design Selections’. They’re taken from the Skoda Enyaq electric SUV and feature ‘coordinated colours and materials’, according to Skoda. ‘Loft’ uses grey recycled fabric seat upholstery, and ‘Lounge’ uses grey suede microfibre upholstery with a combination of wool, artificial leather, and x-shaped yellow stitching. ‘Suite black’ has perforated artificial leather with grey stitching, whereas ‘Suite Cognac’ uses leather upholstery in black with ‘x’ shaped needlework in a ‘Cognac’ brown colour.

Engines, performance & drive

The Kodiaq is more of a comfort-orientated large SUV that’ll get on with the job of transporting a family with the minimum of fuss, but it won’t be all that exciting to drive. To be fair, that doesn’t matter so much in this type of car, where buyers will appreciate more its refined motorway manners and soothing ride. Of the engines we’ve tried so far, the 2.0-litre diesel in 148bhp form provides all the performance you’ll need, with affordable running costs. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's engine, performance and drive…

MPG, emissions & running costs

As we mentioned above, the 2.0-litre 148bhp diesel will provide the most affordable running costs, but don’t discount the similarly powerful 1.5-litre petrol, because its mild-hybrid technology means it is much more economical than its predecessor, and will make sense for those who mostly complete urban journeys. The plug-in hybrid will make the most sense for company car drivers. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's MPG, C02 and running costs…

Interior, design & technology

The interior of the Kodiaq continues to impress us, not just in terms of the well thought-out ‘simply clever’ features, but also in terms of its ‘Smart Dial’ system. It utilises three rotary dials that switch between controlling various frequently used functions without having to resort to diving into the touchscreen menus. This makes the Kodiaq less distracting to use on the move compared with some of its rivals. We also highly rate the material quality of the Kodiaq, which puts you in mind of a premium SUV rather than a good value family car. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's interior, design and technology…

Boot space, comfort & practicality

The boot of the Kodiaq is bigger than ever, providing 340 litres of space in the seven-seater version with all the seats up, rising to 910 litres when the third row is folded. Dropping the rear seats is very easy, and they lay flat, which is great for loading longer items. There’s plenty of space for anyone six-foot tall to fit in the front, and a similarly tall person can fit behind them in the second row. You get up to three ISOFIX child seat mounting points in the Kodiaq, giving families an extra degree of flexibility in where they can put child seats.  Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq's boot space, comfort and practicality…

Reliability & safety

The latest Skoda Kodiaq scored the maximum five out of five-star rating by Euro NCAP, plus it comes as standard with lots of the latest safety assistance technology, making it a safe place to put your family. We don’t have any Driver Power data yet because this model is too new to have been included, but the previous model did well with owners, so we anticipate the latest model will continue this trend. Read more about the Skoda Kodiaq’s reliability and safety…

Should you buy a Skoda Kodiaq?

The Kodiaq’s strengths lie in its ability to cope with family needs, especially when it comes to practicality. The choice of five or seven seats remains a plus point, although the third-row seats are more suited to shorter journeys because they’re a little tight for adults. 

Families are the obvious target for the Kodiaq and Skoda expects a 60/40 per cent split between the five and seven-seater models – which shows there’s a strong appetite for the extra row of seats. A vRS model with more power will join the range, although our early experience suggests Skoda will struggle to make the performance-focused Kodiaq feel special to drive. A luxury-focused L&K model will also join the range for those looking for more kit, and that is likely to be more in keeping with the big Skoda’s underlying character than a hot-hatch rival. 

Its ability to soak up motorway miles is impressive, and will suit those who regularly use their car for long family holiday drives. The Kodiaq won’t excite keen drivers, but that’s not what a seven-seat SUV is for. Instead, the Kodiaq is easy to drive with safe and surefooted handling. The main thing is that Skoda’s effort gets all the stuff that will matter to family buyers right, which is why we think it’s the best large SUV choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Skoda offers three years and 60,000 miles of warranty with the option to extend this to five years and 100,000 miles

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 TSI e-TEC SE 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £36,645

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5 TSI iV 204 SE 5dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £41,935

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 TDI 193 SE L 4X4 5dr DSG [7 Seat]
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • Price
    £46,225
Online Reviews Editor

Max looks after the reviews on the Auto Express website. He’s been a motoring journalist since 2017 and has written for Autocar, What Car?, Piston Heads, DrivingElectric, Carbuyer, Electrifying, and Good Motoring Magazine.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Kodiaq

Show me:
Skoda Kodiaq vs Hyundai Santa Fe: a 7-seater SUV showdown
Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq - front tracking

Skoda Kodiaq vs Hyundai Santa Fe: a 7-seater SUV showdown

The chunky new Hyundai Santa Fe squares up against the Skoda Kodiaq in a battle of the family-friendly seven-seaters
Car group tests
9 Oct 2024
Best 7-seater cars to buy 2024
Best seven-seater cars - header image

Best 7-seater cars to buy 2024

We pick the best seven-seater cars across a wide range of price points
Best cars & vans
2 Oct 2024
New bulletproof Skoda Kodiaq Armoured offers the ultimate in on-road security
Skoda Kodiaq Armoured car - front

New bulletproof Skoda Kodiaq Armoured offers the ultimate in on-road security

Want a discreet, spacious family SUV that can withstand bombs and guns? The Czech firm has the answer
News
26 Sep 2024
Most reliable cars to buy 2024
Most reliable cars - header image

Most reliable cars to buy 2024

How do you judge a new car’s reliability before taking ownership? Our Driver Power survey has the answer…
Best cars & vans
24 Sep 2024
Best diesel cars 2024
Best diesel cars - header image

Best diesel cars 2024

Diesel power strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy, and these are the best diesel cars you can buy
Best cars & vans
24 Sep 2024
New Skoda Kodiaq SportLine available to order now with five or seven seats
Skoda Kodiaq SportLine - front 3/4

New Skoda Kodiaq SportLine available to order now with five or seven seats

Prices start from £42,705 for the award-winning SUV in range-topping SportLine trim
News
20 Sep 2024
Skoda Kodiaq iV review: class-leading large SUV gets plug-in hybrid power
Skoda Kodiaq iV - front tracking

Skoda Kodiaq iV review: class-leading large SUV gets plug-in hybrid power

Skoda has finally brought plug-in hybrid power to the Kodiaq, but this comes at the cost of practicality
Road tests
29 Aug 2024
Best large SUVs to buy 2024
Best large SUVs - header image

Best large SUVs to buy 2024

Need a practical car? Look no further than the best large SUVs on sale today
Best cars & vans
23 Jul 2024
Most reliable family cars to buy 2024
Most reliable family cars - header image

Most reliable family cars to buy 2024

These are the most reliable family cars you can buy, according to our Driver Power survey
Best cars & vans
10 Jul 2024
Best SUVs to buy 2024
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2024

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
10 Jul 2024
Large SUV of the Year 2024: Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda Kodiaq - Large SUV of the Year 2024

Large SUV of the Year 2024: Skoda Kodiaq

The Skoda Kodiaq is the Auto Express 2024 Large SUV of the Year with the Kia EV9 and Nissan X-Trail commended
Awards
3 Jul 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
Most reliable 4x4s and SUVs to buy
Most reliable SUVs - header image

Most reliable 4x4s and SUVs to buy

We reveal the most reliable 4x4s and SUVs, according to our Driver Power survey
Best cars & vans
27 Jun 2024
New plug-in hybrid Skoda Kodiaq iV offers 75-mile EV range, but only 5 seats, for £42k
Skoda Kodiaq iV - front 3/4 static

New plug-in hybrid Skoda Kodiaq iV offers 75-mile EV range, but only 5 seats, for £42k

The first-ever plug-in hybrid Skoda Kodiaq is only available to order with five seats
News
10 Jun 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Kodiaq SUV is £327 per month and fit for all the family
New Skoda Kodiaq - front static with the boot open

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Kodiaq SUV is £327 per month and fit for all the family

Our reigning Large SUV of the Year is our Car Deal of the Day for 6 June
News
6 Jun 2024
2024 Skoda Kodiaq: pricing and UK specs revealed for all-new family SUV
Skoda Kodiaq - front towing a boat

2024 Skoda Kodiaq: pricing and UK specs revealed for all-new family SUV

Skoda’s new Kodiaq is bigger than before and will be offered with plug-in hybrid technology
News
8 Apr 2024
Best new car deals 2024
Best new car deals - header image

Best new car deals 2024

Thinking of buying a new car? These are some of the best new car deals on the market right now…
Best cars & vans
26 Jan 2024
Best used large SUVs and 4x4s 2024
Best used large SUVs and 4x4s - header image

Best used large SUVs and 4x4s 2024

The best used large SUVs and 4x4s in the business offer space, practicality, performance and low running costs
Best cars & vans
9 Jan 2024
New Skoda Kodiaq vRS: exclusive image of the 2024 hot SUV
Skoda Kodiaq vRS Mk2 design render

New Skoda Kodiaq vRS: exclusive image of the 2024 hot SUV

The next Kodiaq could be Skoda's last combustion-powered vRS, and our exclusive image shows how it could look
News
11 Oct 2023
New Skoda Kodiaq is here to solve all your family car problems
Skoda Kodiaq - front action

New Skoda Kodiaq is here to solve all your family car problems

Skoda’s big seven-seat SUV has just been revealed in second-generation form. Can the Kodiaq stay ahead of the pack?
News
4 Oct 2023
Skoda Kodiaq (2017-2024) review
Skoda Kodiaq SportLine - front tracking

Skoda Kodiaq (2017-2024) review

For families looking for a practical, comfortable and good value SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq is hard to beat
In-depth reviews
25 Jul 2023
Large SUV of the Year 2023: Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda Kodiaq - Large SUV of the Year 2023

Large SUV of the Year 2023: Skoda Kodiaq

The Skoda Kodiaq is the Auto Express 2023 Large SUV of the Year with the Kia Sorento and Nissan X-Trail commended
Awards
4 Jul 2023
Best new cars for under £400 per month
Best cars for £400 a month - header

Best new cars for under £400 per month

Got some cash to splash? These are the best new cars for under £400 per month
Best cars & vans
8 Feb 2023
Best used car finance deals 2023
Best used car deals - header image

Best used car finance deals 2023

If you’re after a used car, we’ve picked out 10 top examples – ranging from superminis to SUVs - on our sister site Buyacar
Best cars & vans
1 Dec 2022