Skoda Kodiaq in a stylish comeback
Skoda Kodiaq. Photo/Courtesy
What you need to know:
- The Skoda Kodiaq may not yet be a common sight on Ugandan roads, but this seven-seater SUV is quietly making a case for itself as a family-friendly car. With its blend of practical space and rugged capability, could it be an alternative to the usual suspects in Uganda’s SUV market?
When the first-generation Skoda Kodiaq landed in 2016, it felt like the moment the Czech carmaker truly came of age. Here was a seven-seat Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that could rattle the confidence of a Land Rover Discovery, yet at a fraction of the cost. With sharp dynamics, premium trim, and head-turning practicality, it quickly became one of the most respected family cars on the road.
Praise flowed, awards followed, and Skoda’s stock soared. Fast forward to 2024, and the Kodiaq entered its second generation. The question is: with such a well-rounded package already, how do you improve on near-perfection? The answer; carefully and cleverly. At first glance, the all-new Kodiaq does not shout about its transformation.
The silhouette is familiar, the lines evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But do not be fooled. Beneath the skin, this is a thoroughly re-engineered SUV. Skoda’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design language makes its debut here, marked by a bold front light bar, a fresh iteration of the Skoda badge, and subtly tweaked wraparound rear lights. Add in glamorous Bronx Gold paint and you have got enough sparkle to hint at change, without alienating loyalists.
Anyone trading in the outgoing Kodiaq will feel instantly at home. But they will also spot the new details that signal progression, such as the redesigned rear pillars and a more upmarket interior. It is still the same honest, practical SUV, but better.
Power
The second-gen Kodiaq shares its underpinnings with the latest Volkswagen Tiguan, and brings a host of new powertrain options. There is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with mild-hybrid tech delivering 148bhp, and a 2.0-litre petrol with 201bhp and all-wheel drive. Diesel lovers have not been left behind either, with a pair of 2.0-litre options: a 148bhp front-wheel drive version and a 190bhp all-wheel drive model. Fuel economy remains a Kodiaq strength; expect around 47.4mpg for petrol models and up to 53.2mpg for diesels, though the seven-seat versions are naturally thirstier.
But the big news? A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version joins the line-up for the first time. Pairing the 1.5-litre engine with an electric motor and a 25.7kWh battery, it delivers 201bhp and up to 75 miles of official electric range, around 50–60 miles in real-world conditions. It is smooth, silent in EV mode, and an ideal solution for company car buyers or eco-conscious families. Charging is brisk too; 10 to 80 percent in just 26 minutes on a 40kW CCS fast charger. Full top-up on an 11kW wall box takes a little over two hours.
Interior
Step inside and you will find a cabin that blends tech-forward design with Skoda’s trademark practicality. The gear selector has moved to the steering column, opening up acres of centre console space. Storage is abundant, with clever cubbyholes and a pair of ventilated wireless charging pads for your smartphone. A new 13-inch infotainment screen dominates the dash, complemented by 10-inch digital instruments. But the real star? A trio of smart rotary dials that let you toggle between volume, drive modes, and climate controls. It is a masterstroke, marrying modern digital interfaces with tactile usability. The new Kodiaq rides with poise and comfort. It is softer than its Tiguan sibling, leaning more into its family-first brief.
The steering lacks feel, and there is some body roll in corners, but unless you are tearing through hairpins with seven people aboard, you will not mind. This SUV prefers to cruise rather than carve, and that is perfectly fine. Optional DCC+ adaptive suspension lets you fine-tune the ride and handling with 15-stage settings and multiple drive modes. On standard suspension, comfort remains excellent, especially on smaller wheels. Performance is solid across the range. The entry-level 1.5 petrol and base diesel hit 0–62mph in under 10 seconds. Step up to the 201bhp petrol or 190bhp diesel, and that drops to around 7.5–8.0 seconds. Towing capacity tops out at 2,400kg for the brawnier diesels and AWD petrols.
And the vRS?
The range-topping Kodiaq vRS now packs 262bhp from the VW Group’s venerable EA888 2.0-litre engine—the same one powering the Golf GTI and Octavia vRS. It will sprint to 62mph in 6.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 143mph, making it the most powerful combustion Skoda yet. But despite the numbers, it does not feel drastically sportier than its siblings. Skoda’s focus here is more refined aggression than raw performance. Still, it is the only Kodiaq with seven seats and all that power, a rare combo in today’s SUV market.
The bottom line
The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq does not reinvent the wheel. Instead, it refines, enhances, and electrifies an already winning formula. With smarter interiors, a broader engine range, including that impressive PHEV, and classic Skoda sensibility, it continues to dominate the rarefied field of practical seven-seat SUVs.
Prices have gone up, now starting at around Shs184m (approx. £38,140) and rising to over Shs242m (approx. £50,000) for the flagship vRS. However, you get more features, greater comfort, and improved capability in return. If your SUV shortlist includes models such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Peugeot 5008, Kia Sorento, or Nissan X-Trail, the new Kodiaq is worth a try.
Takeaway
In Uganda, the Skoda Kodiaq is mostly available through private imports, as there are no official local dealerships. This means buyers should expect to manage import logistics and factor in the cost and availability of parts and servicing. Thankfully, the Kodiaq shares many components with Volkswagen models, which are more common locally, easing maintenance challenges.
This story was originally published by www.topgear.com/Top Gear Team
