2017 Skoda Kodiaq makes public debut in Paris

Skoda Kodiaq pricing and rivals

Kodiaq pricing is being revealed at the Paris motor show. Sources suggest an entry-level model will be priced closely to the equivalent Skoda Superb at around £22,500, with mid-spec cars starting from £26,500, and the top-end model with the seven-seat option rising to over £35,000.

If confirmed, those figures substantially undercut the pricing of rivals such as the Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Skoda officials say they have had more expressions of interest in the Kodiaq pre-launch than any other car in the firm’s history, although order books won’t officially open until the end of 2016. The first Kodiaqs are expected to hit UK roads in April 2017. 

Skoda Kodiaq seven-seat option, dimensions and practicality

The Kodiaq is based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform and is 4697mm long, 1882mm wide and 1676mm tall when fitted with roof rails. Although that is par for the class - and just 40mm longer than an Skoda Octavia - Skoda says the Kodiaq will beat its rivals because it has better interior space and more technology and offers more value for money.

Additionally, it will have the option of seven seats - making it Skoda’s first seven-seater - and a seats-down boot capacity of up to 2065 litres (720 litres seats up), which, its maker says, is the largest available on the market. The X-Trail’s boot capacity is 1982 litres, which is, in turn, significantly greater than that of other close rivals.

Skoda highlights the second-row seating system as an example of the detail it has gone to in order to make the Kodiaq as practical as possible. The seats split 60/40, they move lengthways by 18cm and the backrests are individually adjustable as standard. Buyers can also spec a folding front passenger seat, which enables the Kodiaq to carry items up to 2.8 metres long, and an electrically operated tailgate that can be operated by waving a foot under the rear of the car is available as an option. 

When fitted with a diesel engine, DSG gearbox and four-wheel drive, the Kodiaq’s maximum towing capacity is 2.5 tonnes.

Skoda Kodiaq trim levels, engine range and gearbox options

The Kodiaq will be launched with a five-strong engine range and three trim levels, expected to be called S, SE and SE-L in the UK when specs are confirmed in late September 2016. Wheel sizes will range from 17in to 19in.

Two diesel engines and three petrols will be offered initially.

Both diesels are 2.0-litre units. The entry-level diesel produces 148bhp and 251lb ft of torque, and the more powerful engine 187bhp and 295lb ft. Skoda has released only select details, saying the entry-level unit officially averages 56.5mpg and emits 131g/km of CO2, and the more powerful diesel covers 0-62mph in 8.6sec and has a top speed of 130mph.

There are two 1.4-litre petrol engines and one 2.0-litre petrol. The entry-level engine produces 123bhp and 148lb ft of torque and averages 47.0mpg while emitting 140g/km of CO2. The more powerful 1.4-litre engine, which features fuel-saving active cylinder technology, has 148bhp and 184lb ft of torque.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine has 178bhp and 236lb ft of torque.

Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox or DSG semi-automatic gearboxes with six or seven speeds. The most powerful petrol and diesel engines can be coupled with only the seven-speed DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive. Gearbox options for other engines depend heavily on whether the buyer specifies four or front-wheel drive - with the option of either available on all but the smallest petrol engine.

DSG-equipped cars will have the option of Driving Mode Select, which allows the driver to toggle between Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow and Individual modes, all of which alter the DSG, engine, power steering and air-con settings. Additionally, Adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control can be integrated with the system, adjusting the shock absorber settings in line with the selection of Comfort, Normal or Sport mode.

The Kodiaq also has an Off-Road mode, which modifies the chassis, engine and brake settings to cope with rough terrain and engages Hill Descent Assist on steep downward slopes.

Early indications are that the Kodiaq will be priced to significantly undercut rivals at every level. A top-end Laurin & Klement trim level is expected to be launched around the end of 2017.

Skoda Kodiaq interior and exterior

The Kodiaq’s styling is heavily influenced  by the VisionS concept car shown earlier this year, with the interior in particular featuring several striking new design touches.

As standard, the Kodiaq gets a 6.5in touchscreen as standard, with Bluetooth and SmartLink, which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, available as options.

Optionally, buyers can have an 8.0in touchscreen, which includes a function that records the driver’s voice and plays it back to the rear seats.

A top-spec system adds a sat-nav function to the 8.0in screen, plus off-road and parking camera aids.

A 64GB flash memory and DVD drive are also available and a WLAN wi-fi hotspot is optional. Integrated tablet holders in the rear of the front seats and a wireless smartphone charging pad can also be specified.

Skoda Kodiaq safety technology

Although exact specifications have yet to be set, standard safety kit levels are expected to be high.

Additional driver assistance systems will be offered as options or as part of a bundled safety pack. These are expected to include new functions to Skoda such as Area View, which displays a full bird’s-eye view of the car while manoeuvring, Manoeuvre Assist, which automatically brakes the car if an obstacle is detected while reversing, and Tow Assist, which will steer the vehicle and trailer in slow-speed reversing manoeuvres.

Buyers can also specify more advanced, semi-autonomous functions such as Emergency Assist, which works on models equipped with a DSG gearbox and automatically brings the car to a halt safely if it detects the driver is no longer able to drive.

Crew Protect Assist, meanwhile, closes the windows and sunroof and pre-tensions the seatbelts if it detects an imminent accident. Multi-Collison Brake is standard and reduces movement of the car following an accident.

Standard safety kit will include City Emergency Brake, which stops the car if a likely impact is detected at up to 21mph, and can be upgraded to include a Predictive Pedestrian Protection system, which monitors a greater variety of situations. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Assist, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert are also standard.

Cars fitted with Lane Assist, ACC and a DSG can have Traffic Jam Assist, which will maintain the Kodiaq’s speed in what Skoda calls “slow-moving traffic” and automatically brake it to a standstill if necessary. Traffic Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition will display speed limits and road signs on the in-car computer and sat-nav system.

Skoda Kodiaq navigation and entertainment systems

Under the umbrella name of Skoda Connect, the Kodiaq is equipped with two constantly online systems: Infotainment Online and Care Connect. 

Infotainment Online includes live traffic information, Google Earth and Street View mapping and live information such as fuel prices, parking information and news and weather updates. These are free for the first year, but buyers must pay a subscription charge - yet to be revealed - thereafter.

Care Connect includes an Emergency Call function, which sends a direct message to the emergency services when a restraint system is deployed. The system also monitors the car’s data and automatically contacts a garage with details of servicing work required prior to arrival.

Additionally, Skoda is offering buyers two apps: Skoda Connect allows them to monitor the Kodiaq’s movements while away from the car, including setting up alerts for speeding or the car being driven when it should be parked; and SmartLink combines sat-nav data, music and news information, plus details of the car’s data.