Skoda’s first large SUV has proved to be something of a success, with more than 50,000 UK buyers falling for the Kodiaq. Eight years on from its introduction, the Czech car company is bringing an entirely new version of its family SUV to our shores, so I headed to the coast to see how the all-new model compares to its popular predecessor.
As I got behind the wheel and headed towards the famed Ring of Kerry in southern Ireland, the clouds parted, and I caught my first glimpse of sunshine glinting off the graphite grey bonnet. With lush, rolling hills, quaint Irish towns and the rugged coastline to explore, there was plenty to put the Kodiaq to the test.
To make the most of the weather and see just how capable the Kodiaq was, I aimed straight for the beach — it’s supposed to be summer, after all.
Inch Beach is just a short drive from the Ring of Kerry, and the beautiful coastal road that leads you there is well worth the drive. As the clouds rolled by, the sunlit views showed the rugged Atlantic Way at its best.
Enjoying the scenery was made nice and easy by the Kodiaq itself. This second generation of the family SUV was effortless to drive, partly thanks to the uncluttered interior, which created a calm, welcoming space with a touch of elegance. Everything is within easy reach, and the virtual cockpit — a 10-inch digital screen which replaces the traditional dials on the instrument panel — displays all the information you need, which can be personalised to show what you want to see and remove some of what you don’t.
The gear selector in this updated model has been moved away from the centre console and is mounted on the steering column. It takes a little getting used to, as muscle memory immediately sees you reaching to the left, but once you adjust, it feels perfectly natural and very sensible.
The 13-inch infotainment screen, which accesses the DAB radio and displays the navigation, or in my case, Android Auto, kept me on the right path as I cruised along the coast. Below the screen are the Smart Dials, a new addition to the Kodiaq. Here, with a quick press and turn of the twistable knob, you can quickly adjust things like the air conditioning, temperature and audio volume without delving into menus on the infotainment screen.
The miles and the scenery rolled by, and in no time at all, I’d reached my first stopping point. There aren’t many opportunities to drive on beaches in the UK, so while I was here in Ireland, I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to see just how well the Skoda handled the sands of Inch Beach. At three miles long, there was plenty of space to safely put the car through its paces. As the wind started to whip up the sand and the rain rolled in, I sped along the beach with the waves and intermittent sun creating a fabulous backdrop.
It was early in the summer season, and the changeable weather had kept most dog walkers and visitors away. I had the beach pretty much to myself, and I made the most of it. I was driving the 2.0 TDi model, which, with 150hp and 360Nm of torque, handled my hooning fabulously.
The Kodiaq had proven to be refined and comfortable on the road, getting up to cruising speeds smoothly. It dealt with the twists and turns pretty well, too, with a few judders making it through to the cabin as we hit the occasional rough patch or pothole, but nothing that unsettled the ride for more than a heartbeat.
On the beach, the Skoda Kodiaq felt firm and well-grounded, even as I threw it into a U-turn without slowing. As my confidence in the car grew, the speed gradually built up, and the turns became tighter, but it didn’t faze the Skoda
at all. It carried on, quietly capable, handling every wildly flung turn as if it was a precisely executed move — which I can assure you, it wasn’t.
I called a halt to the sandy fun as the rains came lashing down and retired to the sanctuary of Sammy’s Cafe next to the beach for a well-earned cup of tea and slice of cake — I can heartily recommend the Bakewell slice!
After a pit stop, I headed back to the car and retraced my steps along the coast road until I picked up the Ring of Kerry route, which took me further inland. I passed through villages and countryside as I cruised towards the Killarney National Park and The Europe Hotel, which was to be my home for the night.
Nestled on the shores of Lough Leane, this five-star resort was a perfect place to watch the sunset over the choppy waters and enjoy some fine food and wine in the Panorama Restaurant before retiring to our rooms for a good night’s sleep.
The next morning, the route took me deep into Killarney National Park, with its steep hills and narrow, twisty roads, which the Kodiaq dispatched with ease. The diesel engine was a little sluggish, and gear selection a little slow when asked to pull away from junctions where you might need a bit of hustle, but once rolling, the automatic box moved smoothly through the gears as the terrain demanded. The grumble of the engine was evident under power, but as the Kodiaq got up to speed, it faded into the background quite nicely.
Diesel engines have had a bad rap over the last few years, and there are plenty of arguments against them, but for some, they are still the right choice. They are generally equipped with plenty of power and low-down torque, which is a perfect combination if you intend to tow a trailer or caravan. They also offer some excellent economy figures — our test model boasts a headline figure of just under 52 miles per gallon — particularly on long runs, so don’t be too quick to write them off.
As I passed through the Irish countryside, the Kodiaq ate up the miles in a very capable, if unexciting, fashion. But this isn’t a machine built for excitement. It’s built for comfort, ease and practicality, which it has in spades.
This, the only seven-seater in the Skoda lineup, can fairly comfortably accommodate three adults across the second row with a good amount of headroom. The third row is a little trickier for an adult but is still possible with a bit of clambering. For kids, though, this will pose no problem at all. There are only three Isofix points in the Kodiaq, even in the seven-seater — one on the front passenger seat and two on the outer seats of the second row, which seems a bit of an oversight, given that the third row is ideally suited to children. The Kia Sorento, by contrast, which is a direct rival to the Kodiaq, has four Isofix points, two each in the second and third rows.
If you’re using all seven seats, the boot space is a little limited, as it is with all seven-seater SUVs, but it can still accommodate a couple of cabin-bag-sized holdalls or a week’s worth of grocery shopping. Drop that third row down, and you won’t be short on space — the boot is perfect for lugging all the detritus that comes with a family or luggage for a family holiday, including the kitchen sink.
There is a lot to like about the Skoda Kodiaq. It’s spacious and comfortable inside the cabin, and visibility is pretty good all around. The inclusion of front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera fitted as standard makes manoeuvring simple, and given the relative bulk of the Skoda, those will definitely come in handy.
There are four different interior styles, two spec levels, and three different engines available, so there will be a combination that suits most requirements. In terms of pricing, Skoda has pushed further up the scale in recent years, but if you’re happy to stick to the lower trim levels and the slightly less powerful engine choice, it still stacks up well against some of its rivals. Our test model is priced at £39,805, while a similar spec seven-seater Kia Sorento costs £41,995, and Hyundai Santa Fe is a little more, at £46,775.
The previous generation was popular with buyers, and for good reason. This latest model has taken that base and enhanced it further. It’s practical, well-proportioned, efficient and not too shabby to look at either.
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