Skoda Kodiaq

The cabin of the Skoda Kodiaq might not feel as well-equipped as the cabin of the latest iteration of Octavia. However, the cabin feels premium and well-built for an SUV of its size, with the three-row cabin offering a seating capacity of seven people.

Though the driver’s cockpit of the Skoda Kodiaq looks plain with a multi-functional three-spoke steering wheel and a conventional instrument console behind it, the centre console is where the premium essence of the cabin lies. At the top of the centre console, the Kodiaq gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system glanced by vertical AC vents. The other part of the co-passenger side of the dashboard has faux wood finish on the dashboard between the AC vents, giving it a premium touch.

The lower centre console of the Skoda Kodiaq gets a control panel for three-zone automatic climate control and cup holders. The cabin of this SUV is packed with premium features, including a powered driver’s seat, sunroof, ambient lighting and more. While the cabin has three rows of seats, the third row has limited knee room and under-thigh support.

Carrying on the design theme of other Skodas on sale, the Kodiaq is one sharp-looking large SUV, which has a host of elements and bits giving it a crisp design. The design of the Skoda Kodiaq is not in-your-face, though it looks aggressive and every bit a premium SUV.

At the front, the Skoda Kodiaq gets a sleek-looking grille with vertical slates and tapered edges and is surrounded by chrome garnish. The sides of the grille are flanked by angular headlamps stretched horizontally, which come with LED projectors and L-shaped daytime running LEDs. The quartz-cut four-sided fog lamps placed just below the headlamps look unique, though the rest of the design of the front bumper looks quite simple and understated.

The Skoda Kodiaq has a poised and elegant look when you watch it from the side. The SUV looks well-proportioned with large window panels, complemented by crisp creases flowing through the door panels and front and rear fenders. The stance of the Kodiaq is elevated by slightly squared wheel arches, which get arch moulding over it. The chrome finish around the entire window frame and machined alloy wheels add a premium essence to the side profile.

At the rear, the Skoda Kodiaq means business with its large and sweptback crystalline LED tail lamps, which make the rear profile looks very premium and wide. The inner edges of the tail lamps are tapered, with them joined by a sharp character line in the middle above the license plate housing.

The Skoda Kodiaq has a slightly soft-tuned setup for its suspension combination – McPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. However, the range-topping version gets a capable all-wheel drive system, which enables the Kodiaq to have the added ability to drive over off-road terrains comfortably.

The Skoda Kodiaq for UAE sources its power from a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine under its hood. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, this engine produces a maximum power output of 150 PS and a peak torque output of 250 Nm. However, some people might find the power delivery below their expectations, as it is not outright sporty.

The list of safety features offered in the Skoda Kodiaq includes bits like eight airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera and tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Skoda Kodiaq might not be the most feature-packed and powerful three-row midsize SUV available out there. However, for its price, it offers unquestionable European build quality and fit and finish levels and supple ride quality, which are some traits often looked at by buyers of family SUVs.