A large, seven-seat SUV is all about the interior, you might argue, given that the genre has effectively replaced MPVs. And Skoda seems to have taken that to heart, because inside, the Kodiaq is a very nice place to be.
Practical matters first: the old car was spacious, and an additional 61mm of length makes this one even more palatial. With the rear seat in its standard position, you can stretch out, almost like in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The bench itself provides good thigh support and usefully folds in a 40/20/40 split.
The third row (which is standard on most Kodiaqs in the UK) is tighter, of course, but by sliding the second row forwards, you can just about cram in seven adults. None of them will be too happy about it, but it’s better than walking.
A usable amount of boot space remains even with all the seats up, too. The five-seater boasts 910 litres.
Unfortunately, you can't have the Kodiaq PHEV with a seven-seat configuaration, as the large battery fills the space where the third-row seats would normally sit.
Skoda’s engineers did consider one, but they would have had to compromise the battery size and the fuel tank. Indeed, the Kia Sorento PHEV, which does have seven seats, offers less than half the Kodiaq’s EV range.