Skoda Kodiaq (2016-2023) Review

If you’re looking for a practical family SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq ought to be a really strong contender. It won’t cut the mustard if you need to carry seven people regularly (but find us an SUV which can...), while high-spec models can be surprisingly expensive. The engine line-up’s pretty strong, while buyers get the choice of manual and automatic gearboxes as well as two- or four-wheel drive.

It might not have the image of the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace - nor the quirky cabin of the Peugeot 5008 - but it’s incredibly good at ticking all the boxes for the vast majority of buyers.

The Skoda Kodiaq’s closest rivals are arguably in-house alternatives, the SEAT Tarraco and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. Both share a platform and engines with the Kodiaq, making choosing between them a difficult choice. The Kodiaq offers the best value for money, in our opinion, especially on the used market.

You should also consider the excellent Peugeot 5008. We reckon it’s a more interesting choice than the boringly-good Kodiaq and we like the individual rear seats which offer a bit more flexibility. There’s also strong competition from Korea in the form of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. Those are both a bit bigger and more expensive than the Kodiaq, but offer lots of equipment and surprisingly upmarket interiors. 

Finally, there's a few lower-cost used options on the market. There's the Nissan X-Trail, but it’s a bit old fashioned in this company, plus the five seat-only Renault Koleos and Ford Edge. 

Build quality throughout the Skoda Kodiaq's cabin is generally excellent. Sure, you’ll find some hard finishes if you look for them, but you could easily be fooled into thinking the Kodiaq wears a Volkswagen badge. It certainly feels well up to the job of handling the kind of abuse family life will throw at it.

High-spec Skoda Kodiaq SE L Executive and L&K models get full leather upholstery, which manages to make the Kodiaq’s cabin feel like a very classy affair. The SE L features part-leather seats which also look pretty smart, if not as luxurious as the full leather, while the Sportline trim gets sports seats with pleasant  microsuede fabric. 

Everything you touch feels well-finished, with even the buttons and switchgear having a premium vibe about them. Features like ambient lighting on the latest facelifted models also help to lift the premium feel, especially at night.

For buyers on a budget, the entry-level Skoda Kodiaq S came with a tiny 6.5-inch infotainment system. It might sound small but it does the job, with useful buttons providing access to its rather limited features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available via Skoda’s SmartLink system, allowing you to access your phone’s features on the move.

Kodiaq SE Drive models and above will have an eight-inch system as a minimum. It’s worth looking for a higher-spec model for this feature alone. We rate the eight-inch Amundsen infotainment display highly - it looks the part, with enough buttons to prevent it from being too distracting on the move. It also has fast responses and again comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Note, however, that navigation isn’t standard on the SE - you’ll need an SE Drive or above for that (if you're buying new, then sat-nav is now standard on all models. 

The Columbus 9.2-inch navigation system is standard on Skoda Kodiaq SE L models and above. This is very similar to the smaller unit, but with in-built navigation as standard and a bigger screen. Again, it’s very impressive, with sharp graphics and all the features you could possibly want. It also brings with it onboard WiFi, which will appeal to families and business people alike. On the downside, it comes with fewer physical buttons making it a bit less easy to operate on the move. 

As well as the infotainment, further tech highlights include a premium Canton sound system which is standard on the Kodiaq L&K. There’s also a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit offered across most of the range, replacing the conventional dials and giving you the ability to select from a number of different views. It looks pretty smart and is a desirable extra if you find one on the used market.

There's no denying that the Skoda Kodiaq is a fairly big car. In terms of dimensions, it's 4697mm long, 2087mm wide (including door mirrors) and 1680mm high. However, it's not as large as the latest Kia Sorento, which is 4,800mm long. 

As you’d expect for an SUV of this size, there’s a huge amount of room in the front of the Skoda Kodiaq. Sure, the seats are positioned fairly high, but you’re not going to struggle for headroom. Legroom is generous too, and there’s plenty of room between the front seats to prevent any awkward elbow bashing.

There’s more than enough space for a couple of tall adults in the middle row, while a sliding bench lets you prioritise boot space or legroom. Individual reclining backrests are a nice feature, too.

Access to the second row of seats is easy, with Isofix points on the outer seats (and on the front passenger seat as an optional extra when new). Middle-seat passengers might find the seating position a bit narrow and awkward, but who carries three people in the back regularly? It’s definitely for occasional use only.

Talking of ‘occasional use’... most Kodiaqs will have seven seats. You won’t want to be using the rearmost pair on a daily basis, however. Getting into them is a bit of a challenge for adults, and only children will relish spending any time back there. If you’ve got a big family, you’d be much better off with a large MPV like a Volkswagen Sharan.

With all seven seats in use, you’ll find the boot’s quite tight. There’s only 270 litres of luggage space, which amounts to a few shopping bags and not a great deal more. Fortunately, the third row of seats easily drops entirely flat, providing a much bigger 835 litres of space. That should be enough for all the family paraphernalia you could possibly wish to carry - and if it’s not, a Skoda dealer will sell you an optional roof box.

Five-seat Skoda Kodiaq models are offered with a temporary space-saver spare wheel when new, but most Kodiaqs will come with a tyre repair kit. Not as useful in the case of a puncture, but practicality takes priority here…

Diesel might be a bad word these days, but the 2.0 TDI suits the Skoda Kodiaq well. Even the lower-powered 150PS models feel pretty brisk, thanks to a useful amount of torque available early in the rev range. If you want one with a bit more poke, look for a 190PS version. This is available on SE L models and above and makes for a very relaxing drive, with enough power for overtaking with little hassle.

For the 2021 facelift, very little changes. That 190PS diesel engine has been uprated to 200PS, but it doesn't make a dramatic difference to the way the Kodiaq drives. It's worth noting, though, that there is no longer a manual gearbox option with a diesel engine - only the 1.5 TSI petrol gets one. 

The Skoda Kodiaq was initially offered with a 1.4 TSI engine, which was replaced by 1.5 in a mid-2018. While we rate the 1.5 in other Volkswagen Group models, it’s a bit underpowered for a car the size of the Kodiaq. It’ll be fine if most of your driving is around town but, as soon as you fill the car with passengers and head for the hills, it’ll start to feel out of its depth. It’ll keep up the pace if you work it hard, but doing so will impact fuel economy.

If a petrol is a must but you’re after more power than the 1.5, look for one with the 190PS 2.0 TSI petrol engine. This feels effortlessly quick but, as it’s only available with the DSG automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, it’s far from frugal.

Most Kodiaq models on the used market will come with the DSG automatic gearbox. This is good news as it suits the car well, providing an effortless drive and generally changing gears smoothly. If you’d prefer to change gears yourself, the Kodiaq is available with a six-speed manual transmission with most engines. It’s precise enough with a clean change and a light clutch pedal, but we’d still prefer the auto.

The Skoda Kodiaq’s refinement is definitely one of its key selling points. It does a brilliant job of filtering out noise from external factors, leaving you inside a car that’ll provide a comfortable sanctuary for many miles. There’s little in the way of vibration that makes its way into the cabin, which isn’t something that can be said for all of the Kodiaq’s mainstream rivals.

The 1.4- and 1.5-litre petrols are the quietest around town and at a standstill, although you’ll notice a clear thrum when you build the revs (something you’ll need to do if you wish to make progress or join a motorway). It’s a shame the Kodiaq isn’t available as a hybrid - you’d be better looking at the Toyota RAV4 if you want serene stop-start driving.

The diesels have a noticeable rumble - especially when cold - but once you’re up to speed (and temperature) on the motorway, they settle down into a quiet enough cruise.

The DSG gearbox generally changes gear early enough for refinement levels not to be hit, although it can occasionally be a little jerky when setting off from a standstill. You might notice your passengers heads bobbing if you try to make a hasty entry onto a roundabout...

There’s a whole host of clever safety assist features available on the Skoda Kodiaq but many of them are only available as optional extras, particularly on lower-spec models. The same applies with the 2021 facelift - really, we were expecting these features to be made standard. 

If you want the latest driver assistance features, we’d recommend looking for a Kodiaq with the driver assistance package (a £1320 option when new). It’s only available on DSG models, adding things like lane assist with blind-spot detection - a system which uses cameras to nudge your steering if you start to wander from your lane, while also notifying you of vehicles in your blind spot using a light on the door mirror. This feature’s also offered as an option on its own.

Other highlights of the driver assistance package include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist (which can control the steering, braking and acceleration in a low-speed traffic jam), rear traffic alert (which notifies you of an approaching vehicle when reversing out of parking bays) and emergency assist (which can automatically bring the car to a standstill with the hazard lights on if it detects a driver who’s no longer responding). 

For the 2021 facelift, Skoda split some of these featured up into individual or doubled-up option packs. This makes it easier to select what you want, but it's puzzling in this day and age that features such as adaptive cruise control aren't standard. 

A driver alert system uses a fatigue sensor to warn you when to take a break, but it’s only available for an extra £50 when new. High-beam assist, which will automatically switch high-beam lights on and off when driving at night, is standard on Edition and L&K models, but a £205 option on lesser trim levels.

If you’ve got young children, you might want to look for a Kodiaq with the optional Isofix child seat mounting point on the front passenger seat. This is a £55 option when new and is in addition to the standard Isofix points on the outer rear seats. 

When Euro NCAP crash tested the Kodiaq in 2017, it was awarded a maximum five-star safety rating. Given the test is stricter than it used to be regarding standard safety assist features, we expect it wouldn't fare as well today - although it'll still hold up well in a crash. 

Reliability is important in a family SUV and, fortunately, the Kodiaq delivers. The popular SUV achieved an impressive average rating of 9.59 out of 10 for reliability in the 2020 HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, while Skoda was the second most highly rated brand overall.

That's not to say the Skoda Kodiaq is entirely without issues. The 1.5 TSI engine has previously suffered from 'kangarooing' at low speeds, but this was fixed by an update in 2020.

The cheapest model to insure will be the Skoda Kodiaq SE with the 1.5 TSI petrol engine, as this falls into insurance group 15. Generally, the higher-spec and more powerful models gradually increase in insurance costs, with the 2.0 TDI 190 being noticeably costly - placed in insurance groups 23 to 25, depending on trim level. Aside from the sporty Skoda Kodiaq vRS, the L&K model with the 2.0 TSI 190 engine with DSG and 4x4 is the most expensive, placed in insurance group 26.

This is comparable to rivals and no Kodiaq should cost a fortune to insure unless you’re a young or inexperienced driver. If you’re concerned, it might be worth shopping around for quotes.

Most Kodiaq models will have been registered on or after 1 April 2017, meaning you’ll pay a flat rate of £150 a year in tax after the first year (which is lumped into the ‘on the road’ price for new cars). Be careful, though, as cars with a list price of more than £40,000 will cost an extra £325 a year in tax for five years (from the second time the car is taxed).

It’s surprisingly easy for a high-spec Kodiaq to cost more than £40,000 when new. Even if you’re not paying anywhere near this, if its list price was more than £40,000, you’ll be responsible for the tax.

The trim levels available will depend on the age of the Kodiaq you’re looking at. When the Kodiaq first went on sale in 2016, this is what the hierarchy looked like:

The basic Skoda Kodiaq S model was only offered with the 1.4 TSI petrol engine and was only sold for a limited period. It featured LED daytime running lights, 17-inch Ratikon alloy wheels, leather multifunction steering wheel and manual air-conditioning. Further highlights included Front Assist, KESSY Go, Swing touchscreen infotainment system, DAB digital radio and SmartLink for seamless smartphone connectivity.

Kodiaq SE models added 18-inch Elbrus alloy wheels, sunset glass, cruise control and rear parking sensors. An eight-inch Bolero touchscreen infotainment system is standard, as well as dual-zone climate control, rain and light sensors and auto-dimming rear-view mirrors. Seven seats were available as a £1000 option on SE trim.

The Skoda Kodiaq SE Technology was introduced late in 2017, aimed at company car drivers. This was only available with the 2.0-litre TDI 150 diesel engine, and built on the SE trim with Skoda Connect with Infotainment Online providing satellite navigation, traffic reports and calendar updates. Adaptive cruise control was available as an option.

This was replaced by the Kodiaq SE Drive in 2020, available with two engine options: a 1.5 TSI 150PS petrol (manual or DSG) and a 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel (DSG only. Standard equipment includes an Amundsen satellite navigation system with Infotainment Online for a year, a colour trip computer, a rear-view camera, rear LED taillights and front and rear parking sensors.

Customers also got 19-inch Aero alloy wheels, unique SE Drive fabric upholstery, Mythos glossy black decor and LED ambient lighting.

The Skoda Kodiaq SE L came with seven seats as standard, along with a powered tailgate, 19-inch Sirius alloy wheels, and Columbus navigation system with WiFi. Drive Mode Select, Alcantara upholstery, heated front seats and full LED headlights are also included as standard on all SE L models.

The Kodiaq Edition model was launched to showcase the SUV’s exceptional range of equipment including 19-inch Triglav alloy wheels, leather upholstery, metallic paint and chrome roof rails. Technology features include Lane Assist, High Beam Assist, wireless charging and phone box and Blind spot detection.

The rugged Skoda Kodiaq Scout arrived late in 2017, slotting between the SE L and Edition models. It featured four-wheel drive as standard and was offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines. Highlights include special ‘off-road’ front and rear bumpers as well as 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Scout’s cabin features a wood-finished dashboard, Alcantara upholstery and LED ambient lighting. It also got aluminium pedals and seven seats as standard.

The Kodiaq SportLine went on sale soon after, also sliding in between the SE L and Edition in the range. This took a sportier approach than the Scout, with 20-inch alloy wheels and sporty front and rear bumpers as well as black exterior detailing. Inside, the Kodiaq SportLine features a leather sports steering wheel, carbon effect dashboard and door inserts, along with Alcantara-trimmed sports bucket seats and door panels. An LED interior lighting pack, SportLine plaque and black trim complete the interior design package.

A posh Skoda Kodiaq L&K model arrived in mid-2018. It features a chrome grille, 19-inch alloy wheels and bespoke front and rear bumpers. A panoramic sunroof is standard while the seats are trimmed in leather. You’ll also find piano black interior trims, aluminium pedals and ambient lighting.

In 2022, the trim levels changed again as part of the facelift. That equipment walkthrough is below:

The base point is SE Drive, which is the only Kodiaq that is a five seater as standard (seven seats are optional, though). Standard kit includes 18in alloys, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start and an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

SE L upgrades the wheel size to 19in, plus adds adaptive LED Matrix headlights, heated front seats, an electric bootlid and wireless phone charging. There's also some style upgrades inside and out, including chrome roof rails and nicer trim. 

SE L Executive further changers the exterior and interior styling, plus adds leather upholstery and and electric memory driver's seat. 

Sportline trim bring 20in alloys (which don't do the ride any favours) but you also get black exterior detailing, a sportier look, sports seats with suede trim and progressive steering. You also get the upgraded 9.2in infotainment system with integrated WiFi. 

Finally, the standard Kodiaq range tops out with L&K trim. That drops the wheel size back down to 19in, but brings in a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, the Virtual Cockpit and an uprated sound system. 

A hot Skoda Kodiaq vRS arrived in 2019 and is covered here.