Skoda Kodiaq 2016 Review

Skoda Kodiaq 132 TSI
International launch
Mallorca, Spain

While it’s anticipated to be the biggest selling model in Skoda’s local range, the seven-seat Kodiaq faces a major task when it arrives here mid-way through next year. Kodiaq must earn itself a place on the same shopping lists as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. Brand image won’t help it, and pricing and promotion will be critical to the new SUV’s success. But the practical and appealing product itself certainly bears consideration.

Skoda’s first venture into the seven-seat SUV market is set to kick goals. The Kodiaq is proof positive that the Czech brand’s ‘simply clever’ type of quirky innovation translates very well to a conventional cross-over SUV.

The manufacturer claims the Kodiaq comes with 30 of these innovative features, seven of which are introduced in the new SUV. These include automatically deploying door-edge protection, an electric child safety lock for the rear doors, a sleep package comprising headrests that hold the occupant’s head in place, cupholder/phone compartment for third-row passengers, a centre-console module for tickets/coins/keys that also incorporates a double bottle holder that will lock a half-litre bottle in place so the top can be unscrewed with one hand, tablet holders that fasten to the rear of the front-seat headrests and In-Car-Communication. The last is a hands-free microphone and mini-PA system for front-seat occupants to lay down the law to the kiddies in the rear of the car without raising one’s voice.

So the bounty promised by the Kodiaq lies principally in its packaging. Leaving aside the novelty gadgets, both the vehicles tested – one petrol, one diesel – were attractively finished, with leather and piano-black gloss lacquer trim. The infotainment display was high-resolution for easy-read graphics, and the Kodiaq had most of its controls in the right place for simple operation, in keeping with Skoda's functional ergonomics. I found the seats to be very comfortable and supportive, and there were no complaints with respect to the driving position. The Kodiaq models driven came with a two-level glovebox, with the lower section chilled.

And like other models from the Skoda stable, the Kodiaq is claimed to offer more interior space – at 1793mm in length – to embarrass its two big-selling Korean rivals.

The Kodiaq was compact enough for the narrow country roads of Mallorca, yet more than spacious inside for a typical seven-seat family. There was no shortage of headroom and legroom in the second row, but the third row was marginal for kneeroom to suit average-sized adults if the second-row occupants need more legroom too. Nor were there vents for third-row seat occupants.

Like most seven-seat SUVs then, the squeezing the whole family into the Kodiaq becomes a balancing act to keep all seven passengers happy.

Skoda is moving away from removable second-row seating, as in the Yeti, because the seats in the smaller SUV each weigh around 30kg, according to Skoda project manager, Jiri Dytrych. Clearly, in a vehicle as relatively large as the Kodiaq there's little added value in removing the seats. And Dytrych hints that few Yeti or Roomster owners were ever in the habit of using the extra space available anyway – particularly at the risk of slipping a disc.

The cars tested were left-hand drive models, with an individual seat squab on the right side tipping forward independently of the rest of the second-row seat to allow freer access to the third row from the safety of a footpath – in left-hand drive markets at least. Skoda provided no assurances that the seating arrangement will be mirrored for right-hand drive markets by the time the Kodiaq arrives in Australia. Other seven-seaters are similarly compromised, but it's something we hope Skoda will resolve to the satisfaction of parents in right-hand drive countries.

Of course, another way of looking at it is that tilting and sliding forward the larger section of seat provides easier access anyway, but it's pretty heavy for a parent who may not have the muscle density of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Even with all seven seats occupied, the Skoda boasts  270 litres of luggage volume behind the third-row seat. With the rear-most seats folded into the floor the luggage space expands to a commendable figure of 630 litres. When folded down, the second-row seats lock into place. And they do fold flush with the third-row seats and the boot floor for a flat surface to slide long objects into the back of the Kodiaq.

Finger pulls in the luggage compartment flip forward the second-row seats, although the squabs have to be pushed right down from the side doors to lock in place. The third-row seats can be lowered from the tailgate by lifting the latch releases on the top of the squabs. Both vehicles tested came with a powered tailgate, a feature not certain to be standard in Australia.

The space-saver spare is the only wheel option available for the seven-seat Kodiaq, which is the only type coming to Australia. In other parts of the world, the five-seat Kodiaq is sold with a full-size spare under the floor, but we won't be seeing the five-seater here.

Petrol Kodiaq to precede 140kW diesel
On the roads of Mallorca, the Kodiaq was very quiet and comfortable, whether the petrol model (a 132 TSI 4x4 variant, which will be coming to Australia) or the diesel, a 110kW diesel manual. The 110 TDI model is ruled out for our market, although the petrol Kodiaq will be joined by a 140kW diesel variant with DSG (dual-clutch) transmission within 12 months of the petrol variant’s launch in July. Both engine variants will be sold in the same level of trim for Australia and both will feature the DSG and all-wheel drive as standard.

We opted to drive the diesel, despite it being unrepresentative of the Aussie-spec diesel Kodiaq, just to get a taste of the SUV with diesel and all-wheel drive. It impressed with its refined power delivery and returned a fuel consumption figure of 6.3L/100km over a mix of slow country roads and some freeway driving, if that is any guide.

The turbocharged 132 TSI (2.0-litre directed injected four-cylinder) engine was extremely smooth and inaudible at open-road speeds. Over a different drive route, the petrol Kodiaq's trip computer posted a fuel economy figure of 7.1L/100km, with long hauls uphill offset by occasional 120km/h runs on the local freeways. The DSG was smooth and responsive, all the more so with the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) facility switched to Sport mode from Normal. This feature is expected to be offered to Aussie Kodiaq buyers, but possibly as an option rather than standard.

Mallorca roads test Kodiaq’s compactness
It was hard to assess the Skoda's dynamic competence on the hairpin bends, narrow roads and even narrower village lanes, or the odd stretch of freeway on Mallorca.

The Kodiaq’s brakes were trouble free on a long descent with plenty of hairpin bends along the way, although the Kodiaq never did reach particularly high speeds on that stretch of road. Skoda is claiming a two-tonne towing capacity for the seven-seat Kodiaq. Five-seaters can tow up to 2.5 tonnes, the company says, although that’s of no consequence for Australian buyers.

Kodiaq’s roadholding seemed generally fine on the dry bitumen, but the steering felt very light in the petrol model. Switching from Comfort or Normal modes in the DCC menu increased the weight, but didn't make much difference to feedback. And although the steering ratio was quite sharp, actual response was slower than expected.

Whether due to more weight over the nose or a different wheel and tyre combination, the 110 TDI diesel Kodiaq delivered what felt to be better ride quality than the petrol model, and steering feedback was slightly better too.

With little else to go on, a Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe might give the Kodiaq a run for its money in the handling and steering stakes – although the Skoda's ride comfort is better than recalled from the last time behind the wheel of a Santa Fe.

All that said, however, the Kodiaq promises to be a competitive offering in the Australian market when it arrives next year. Hints dropped by Skoda execs suggest the Superb could be a template for local Kodiaq pricing. We’re led to believe the base model Kodiaq 132 TSI could be a couple of grand higher than the entry-level Superb 162 TSI, at possibly around $43,000 to $44,000 as a starting point, with a couple of option packs (‘Comfort’ and ‘Tech’?) lifting the equipment to potentially market-leading levels.

That could make it more expensive than the Hyundai Santa Fe at entry level, but specification, including Skoda's much vaunted 'Skoda Connect' features, and the Kodiaq’s unique styling and presentation may make up the difference for many prospective buyers.

2016 Skoda Kodiaq 132 TSI pricing and specifications:
Price: TBA, possibly from around $43,000
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Hyundai Santa Fe Active (from $41,850 plus ORCs)
>> Kia Sorento Si (from $44,490 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda CX-9 Sport (from $46,490 plus ORCs)