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Skoda Kodiaq review 2024
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Quick overview

  • Flexible cabin design
  • Space
  • Driver comfort
  • Solid build quality
  • Price of vRS
  • Base model doesn’t have seven seats
  • Some tech only on higher spec models
  • So-so economy of faster petrol versions

Is the Skoda Kodiaq one of the most complete cars ever to be made? Quite possibly, and not just as far as the family SUV sector is concerned. It’s a mighty fine all-rounder that is also available with four-wheel drive or as a high performance model.

In many ways, the Kodiaq is the car that Skoda had been building up to since its mid-1990s rebirth under the ownership of Volkswagen. It has progressively become one of the most trusted makers of great family cars and the Yeti showed it could also make interesting vehicles that still worked as everyday machines. When the Kodiaq arrived to displace the Yeti, which was really replaced by both the Kodiaq and Karoq as larger and smaller offerings respectively, Skoda put itself firmly at the top of this segment and in direct competition with the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Peugeot 5008.

With its simple styling, the Kodiaq provides a generous cabin for five people and all but the base model have seven seats. The third row pews are best kept for kids rather than granny, but they are still useful to have. Fold them down and there’s a big boot. Skoda also fits a lot of kit into the Kodiaq, but only the top spec models have all the techy gadgets as standard, so be prepared to look at the options list to create your ideal car. There’s also the vRS performance model, even if it is very expensive.

More of a concern for some will be no hybrid or EV model in the Kodiaq line-up. However, Skoda has its Enyaq EV to answer that question, while the Kodiaq can be ordered with front- or four-wheel drive depending on your engine selection. There are also some very good diesels still on offer to satisfy company drivers.

Prices

The SE Drive is the starting point for the Skoda Kodiaq range. It costs from £31,600 for the five-seat model, or £32,665 for the seven-seater. Head for the SE L Executive and prices begin at £35,460, while the Sportline goes from £38,815. A Laurent & Klement version is the top of the mainstream Kodiaq line and costs from £44,550, while the sporty vRS comes in at £47,690. Used price for the Kodiaq range from £16,00 for a five-year old car with 60,000 miles on the clock to £23,500 for a two-year old. Look for a deal on a new car and you can save up to £2500 depending on the trim and engine you settle on.

Infotainment, comfort and practicality

Practicality is the main reason most people will choose a Skoda Kodiaq and it doesn’t disappoint on this front. The base SE model is only offered as a five-seater, but you can add the third row chairs as an option and plenty of buyers do just this. With these seats raised and occupied, there’s still a small amount of luggage space behind them of 270-litres, which is enough for a week’s shopping.

Fold the third row of seats flat into the floor and you free up a significant 765-litres of carrying capacity, which is more than enough to cart five people’s holiday luggage to far-flung destinations. With the SE L Executive and above, the tailgate is electrically operated, making life even easier to life heavy bags into the boot through the large opening and on to the boot floor that sits flush with the load sill. Tip the 40-20-40 divided middle row chairs away and you have a vast 2005-litre cargo bay that’s just about big enough to have an echo.

All of this versatility and seating variety does not come at the expense of space for humans. While the third row seats are definitely design for kids due to the amount of space they provide for legs and the flexibility needed to get into them, the middle bench is more than up to accommodating three adults. It also comes with Isofix child seat mounts on the outer two chairs, and there’s a good view out from these seats so that kids won’t feel queasy or get bored on longer drives.

Moving up to the front of the Kodiaq, the driver is also very well catered for when it comes to room for limbs and skull. The driving position is set higher than in many of the Skoda’s rivals, so you certainly enjoy that raised SUV view and all-round vision is very good thanks to the Kodiaq’s fairly square-set shape. The steering wheel can be adjusted for depth and angle, and all but the base SE have lumbar adjustment.

Higher spec Kodiaqs come with a digital dash display that can be configured by the driver, and it’s an option for lower trims. The normal dials are just as easy to read and all of the Kodiaq’s main controls work with Skoda’s usual well-weighted and fluid movement. Separate controls for the ventilation are a boon and you also have plenty of storage around the front cabin.

The infotainment in the base model uses an 8-inch touchscreen, while the rest have a 9.2-inch display that is simple to use and connects via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The top spec Laurent & Klement and VRS models also have the 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit dash to replace the normal speedo and rev dials.

Which 2016 Skoda Kodiaq model should you buy?

Anyone choosing the SE Drive version of the Kodiaq will find it has most of the equipment they could really want. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, parking camera, cruise control, climate control, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and fabric upholstery. Many will opt for the seven-seat model and you could also add adaptive cruise control. Move to the SE L Executive and seven seats are standard, along with 19-inch alloys, heated door mirrors, leather trim with heated and electrically adjusted front seats, Drive Mode selector, and a powered tailgate.

The Sportline swaps exterior chrome for gloss black trim and there are 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it has microsuede seat trim, and a sports steering wheel. Alternatively, the L&K model has leather upholstery with ventilated front seats, the Virtual Cockpit dash display, and uprated Canton stereo system. Fast car fans will like the vRS model’s athletic body kit, microsuede seats, and it too has the Virtual Cockpit dash.

Value for money: how much does a 2016 Skoda Kodiaq cost to buy and run?

Running cost for the Kodiaq are on a par with its main rivals and the 1.5 TSI delivers a combined best of 47.9mpg as a five-seater or 42.2mpg with seven seats. Carbon dioxide emissions come out at 155g/km for the five-seat version and 153g/km for the seven-seat model. Select the 190hp petrol and you’ll be looking at 34.5mpg and 186g/km, while the vRS delivers 198g/km and 32.5mpg. Diesel fans will find the 150hp motor gives a combined average best of 52.3mpg and 141g/km, while the 200hp engine manages 42.2mpg and 175g/km. Insurance for the Kodiaq sits between groups 18 and 30.

Verdict: Should I buy a 2016 Skoda Kodiaq?

Skoda has come very close to creating the perfect family car with the Kodiaq. It has a very well screwed together cabin that has loads of room for the driver and that all-important raised SUV driving position. It’s comfortable and there’s plenty of space for the family in the middle and third rows, assuming you don’t bother with the base five-seater model.

All of the engines are good performers, though some may find the economy and emissions pay-off too much with the vRS. You have the option of four-wheel drive with some engines, too, so the Kodiaq can easily cope with all-weather use. All of the trim levels are generously fitted out and include all of the essentials and plenty luxury kit for the money. You’ll also find the Kodiaq drives smoothly.