Skoda Kodiaq Review: Price, specs and boot space

• Body type: SUV
• Price range: £39,025 - £51,525
• MPG: 36.6 - 1,013.2mpg
• Number of seats: 5-7 (3 Isofix)
• Boot capacity: 340-910 litres
• Insurance groups: 18-29

Skoda Kodiaq: Everything you need to know

The first-generation Skoda Kodiaq proved a huge hit in the UK, so all those in favour will be pleased to learn that this second-generation version is very much an evolution. That same basic format remains: five- or seven seats, petrol or diesel power (along with a plug-in hybrid) and two- or four-wheel drive. Find out whether, despite a rise in prices, the company has tweaked, tinkered and fettled the Kodiaq sufficiently to maintain its status as one of our favourite family SUVs in our full Skoda Kodiaq review.

It will need to have done so, because this is an incredibly competitive market. The shoal of five-seat rivals is worth the attention of a respectably sized trawler and there are plenty of seven-seat alternatives to consider. Think Hyundai Santa Fe, the ageing but still popular Land Rover Discovery Sport, and the Peugeot 5008 to highlight but a few. 

As usual, the budget corner has been bagged by the Dacia Jogger, while there are also van-based alternatives such as the Citroen Berlingo plus the Volkswagen Caddy Life and its Ford Tourneo Connect facsimile.

So, what's changed? The interior is the most important aspect for most SUV buyers, while it’s also the area you’ll notice the biggest differences over the old Skoda Kodiaq.

It ticks all the boxes, with a high seating position, a big boot and plenty of space for passengers. As before, you can have the Skoda Kodiaq with five- or seven seats, although the third row are basically pop-up seats in the boot that will feel pretty cramped for anyone other than children and especially bendy adults.

There is a range of trim levels to choose from: all are well equipped, with interior highlights including a 13.0-inch navigation system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and Skoda’s clever Smart Dials.

These are configurable multifunctional rotary controls on the dashboard that can act as shortcut buttons to your most-used features, such as turning on the heated seats, changing the climate control temperature or even zooming in and out of the sat-nav.

While most of the car world might be going electric, the Skoda Kodiaq sticks with traditional petrol and diesel engines: for now, anyway. The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre unit with mild-hybrid electrical assistance. It’s not a full hybrid, but there’s enough electrification for a small improvement in fuel economy.

High-mileage drivers should stick with the 150PS and 193PS 2.0-litre diesels, the punchier one having all-wheel drive as standard, ideal for those SUV buyers looking to tow a caravan. A plug-in hybrid model is also available, capable of travelling around 75 miles under electric power alone.

Just like supermarket groceries and utility bills, the new Skoda Kodiaq has been subjected to inflationary pressures. That’s why even the cheapest model is now more than £15,000 pricier than its predecessor was when it went on sale in 2016.

How we tested the Skoda Kodiaq

We initially tried the Skoda Kodiaq on its initial launch event to formulate our first impressions, but since then, we've revisited the car several time to sample as many of the various engine variants and trim levels as we possibly can. We haven't yet managed to mop them all up yet, but whenever we tick one off, this review gets updated.

Is the Skoda Kodiaq a good car?

Absolutely. It's a tremendous family car, with space and versatility aplenty, top-drawer build quality and lots of creature comforts. It's comfortable and easy to drive, it has a good safety rating, and it's reasonably affordable to buy and run by class standards. There aren't many better cars in the class.

All three variants we've driven major on ride comfort over outright agility and handling prowess, but the 150PS front-wheel drive diesel in particular seemed to not only offer the comfiest ride, but was also the most willing to be hustled through the twisty bits. 

There is more than a hint of roll when cornering quickly, but body control is largely excellent and levels of grip are surprisingly high. The steering is light, accurate and offers just enough feel and feedback to keep you interested, while the brakes give absolutely no cause for complaint. Nice to know that, if you are in a hurry, the car will cope.

Go for high-spec SportLine trim, and you'll get Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) with adaptive suspension: this can also be specified on SE L trim level cars as part of the optional Performance Pack. This gives you a choice of five drive modes, and softens or stiffens the suspension accordingly.  We haven't tried this setup yet, but to be honest, the car is good enough in its standard form that we really don't think you'll miss it.

The Skoda Kodiaq may be shod in 18-, 19- or 20-inch rubber, but we struggled to tell the difference in ride quality between these sizes, the car's soft springing adeptly walking that fine line between waft and wallow.

The car is quiet, too: both wind noise and tyre roar are notably muted, even at higher speeds. At motorway pace the diesels take it all in their stride, but the smaller petrol engine can become somewhat raucous if you ask it to hurry things along a little.

When the Skoda Kodiaq first arrived in the UK, it came armed with a choice of three engines: a 150PS, 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged mild hybrid petrol engine, as well as 150PS and 193PS variants of a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel unit, the latter additionally fitted with four-wheel drive. All three engines are mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox: manuals are no more in the Kodiaq. 

Depending on seat count, the 1.5-litre petrol has quoted 0-62mph times of 9.7-9.9 seconds, with a top speed of 127-128mph. Despite the same power output, the 150PS diesel is torquier — 360Nm versus 250Nm — meaning it’s a smidgen quicker. Top speed is 126-127mph, with the 0-62mph dash requiring 9.6-9.8 seconds. In truth, while neither feels particularly quick, both feel completely adequate for the vast majority of family car buyers.

The 193PS diesel has 400Nm of torque, channelled via all four wheels, resulting in a swifter 8.0-second 0-62mph time, maxing-out at 134mph. We haven't tried it yet, so we can't yet tell you how that extra speed translates into sensation.

The initial engine offering was shortly followed by a plug-in hybrid version, badged as the Skoda Kodiaq iV. This uses the 1.5-litre petrol engine and pairs it with an electric motor to deliver a combined total of 204PS. Top speed is recorded at 130mph, while the 0-62mph benchmark takes 8.4 seconds. Again, though, we've not tried it yet, but do be aware that it's only offered in five-seater form, so it might not suit your family's needs anyway.

Nor have we tried the latest addition to the engine range, a 204PS, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol with all-wheel drive. It's the fastest of the mainstream (non-vRS) versions, with a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.5 seconds, and a top speed of 137mph.

The Skoda Kodiaq was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2024, achieving the maximum five-star score.

The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq comes with a comprehensive suite of new driver assistance systems, enhancing both active and passive safety. New nano radar sensors positioned on the front- and rear bumpers provide greater precision for the assistance systems. These sensors contribute to improved performance in features such as the upgraded Front Assist and Side Assist. 

New driver assistance systems include Turn Assist, which warns and automatically brakes if a vehicle approaches when turning across oncoming traffic. There is also Crossroad Assist, which uses radar and a front camera to warn of crossing traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians when pulling out of junctions (it can also apply the brakes automatically if necessary).

The upgraded Park Assist can not only steers the Kodiaq into parallel and end-on parking spaces but also controls gear changes and stops automatically if an obstacle is detected. Additional functionalities will be added in the future.

The new Skoda Kodiaq also introduces additional new parking aids. Trained Parking allows drivers to save and then initiate a previously performed parking manoeuvre remotely via the MySkoda app. Remote Parking enables parking the car into or out of parallel and perpendicular parking spaces using the MySkoda app within a four-metre range of the vehicle. 

Advanced upgrades to existing systems include Side Assist, where the detection range for vehicles approaching from behind is increased to 90 metres for improved motorway safety, and Travel Assist, which offers enhanced visualisation of surrounding vehicles in the Virtual Cockpit. 

Standard equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, side airbags for the front seats, head airbags, and a central airbag between the driver and front passenger. Optional side airbags are available for the second row of seats.

The Skoda Kodiaq has proven itself as a popular tow car, and the new model ought to retain that reputation.

For maximum towing capacity, you’ll need the Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS 4x4 model: this has a braked towing capacity of up to 2400kg. The 204PS 2.0 TSI 4x4 is only just behind on 2350kg, though.

Two-wheel-drive diesel models can tow up to 2000kg, while the 1.5 TSI petrol and PHEV models both have a towing capacity of 1800kg.

The Skoda Kodiaq is a large SUV that can be specified with either five- or seven seats. It's just 61mm longer than its predecessor, but its wheelbase remains the same. The Mk1 was already a big car, though, and this means acres of legroom in the Mk2 for second-row seat occupants

That second row splits and folds in a 40/20/40 pattern for additional convenience. The seatbacks recline for greater comfort, plus it has a sliding range of 180mm, allowing it to be hoicked forwards to give third-row passengers in seven-seater models somewhere to put their knees. 

Despite this - and a headroom increase of 15mm - it still feels best suited to children in the third row, not least because they have the flexibility to fold themselves in there in the first place. Adult occupation is best reserved for those being driven home after a good night out, when they’re less likely to feel the squeeze.

Loadspace has increased over the first-generation Kodiaq, up 80 litres with all seven seats in place, meaning there’s a hatchback-rivalling 340 litres available. This rises to 845 litres with the third row dropped flat (five-seater models have 910 litres underneath the parcel shelf, unless you go for the PHEV, which has 745 litres), and a cavernous 2035 litres with both tiers folded over (the corresponding figure is 2105 litres in five-seaters and 1945 litres in PHEVs). 

All of the rear seats may be lowered with one-touch levers built into the loadspace wall, while the middle 20% portion of the second row can be lowered independently to make light work of transporting skis or a stuffed crocodile.

There’s a whiff of lip about the boot opening, but a moveable boot floor lifts up to make things all flush if you need to slide stuff in and out.

Up front, in a simply styled and well-screwed-together dashboard, the driver’s instruments are housed in a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, complemented by a 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen on top of the centre console. 

There are plenty of proper buttons and scrollers on the steering wheel, with Skoda further pandering to believers in physical controls with a Smart Dials system. These are three rotary knobs that flip between operating various frequently used functions such as air-conditioning, audio volume, seat heating and ventilation plus, where fitted, driving modes: all without the need to go near a touchscreen menu. In short, they're great.

The repositioning of the gear lever to the steering column has freed-up even more space for diverse storage, a big selling point in the previous Skoda Kodiaq. These include a wireless ventilated charging tray for two mobiles, a little cubby hole above that, a deep storage box under the centre armrest, and large door pockets complete with removable litter bins.

There’s also a veritable raft of Skoda’s standard-fit Simply Clever features, including an umbrella in the driver’s door, a touchscreen cleaning thingy (so much more than just a cloth), a removable rear centre console bin, an ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap and a built-in, anti-spill funnel on top of the screen-wash reservoir.

Skoda Kodiaq: Dimensions

We've said that the latest Kodiaq is slightly bigger than its predecessor, but just how big is it? We'll to save you cracking out the tape measure, the car is 4758mm in length, 2133mm wide (including door mirrors) and 1678mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2791mm.

Though soft-touch plastics, fabric trim and stylish dark chrome play nicely with each other on dashboard and door panels, the interior, though beautifully put together, isn’t the liveliest visual environment. 

In addition to the SE and SE L trim levels, Skoda offers a range of Design Selections, which — in an idea taken from the electric Skoda Enyaq — feature 'coordinated colours and materials'. Unfortunately, the hues in question are largely those of an unwashed coal scuttle: Loft uses grey recycled seat upholstery, Lounge employs grey microfibre fabric, Sportline’s uses grey material has a white stripe down the middle of the seat, while Suite Black uses, perforated artificial leather in, um black. That leaves Suite Cognac to enliven proceedings with a rich brown finish.

While an interior of this quality really does cry out for a slightly more vivacious approach to colour schemes, Skoda cannot be faulted for its environmental efforts. Many of the fabrics on offer are made from recycled plastic bottles, while the leather tanning process has replaced the usual array of toxic chemicals with coffee bean waste. Nope, we haven’t a clue either…

Not only is the presence of physical switchgear a treat, it’s also entirely pleasing to use. Both the scrollers and buttons on the steering wheel have a crisp, wobble free action and the same may be said for the three multifunction rotary dials and their attendant buttons beneath the central air vents.

Best of all, the use of just one steering wheel-mounted button and its scroller neighbour allows you to quickly disable the two greatest irritations of driving today: the lane keeping assistant and the speed limit warning noises. Hurrah.

The dash top offers a perch for a visually crisp and reasonably responsive 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. All the usual suspects lurk within, including DAB radio, satellite navigation plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. 

The Skoda Kodiaq’s permanent internet connectivity allows for over-the-air updates, online-based route planning and mobile online services from Skoda Connect. In addition, the range of functions for the voice assistant, called Laura, has been extended with the integration of ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot. This allows Laura to answer general knowledge questions alongside controlling car features such as infotainment, navigation and air-conditioning.

The driver’s 10.25-inch instrument display is tidy, and endlessly configurable to provide the information you want in the style you choose. The twin smartphone, 15-Watt wireless charging pad has a welcome cooling function to prevent your phone throwing an overheating wobbly. There are also four USB ports fitted as standard, two per first two seating tiers.

For the ultimate audiovisual experience, choose the L&K trim level: you get an additional head-up display and an upgraded CANTON sound system.

This review was last updated in March 2026, and the prices in the table below were the latest prices available at that point in time. However, car prices change on a regular basis, usually without warning or publicising. As such, please only use these prices as a guide, and before taking any next steps, be sure to verify the Kodiaq's latest prices for yourself on Skoda's website.

Is the Skoda Kodiaq good value compared to rivals?

The Kodiaq is no longer the absolute bargain it once was, but prices are still very competitive with those of rivals, especially when you consider the level of quality, ability, practicality and equipment you're getting for your money.

Broadly speaking, an equivalent Nissan X-Trail will cost you a little bit less, while a Peugeot 5008 should cost a fairly similar amount. Otherwise, most rivals are pricier, those rivals including the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, not to mention more premium offerings such as the Mercedes GLB and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Of course, the Dacia Jogger is a seven-seater than can be had for a lot less than the Kodiaq: around half, in fact. However, that's more of a compact estate with extra seats wedged in, seats that you wouldn't want to actually put people in on too regular a basis, so it's not really a proper rival. However, more recent seven-seater SUVs from China such as the Chery Tiggo 8 are much closer to the Kodiaq in concept, and are still considerably cheaper, and so provide a much sterner test of the big Skoda's value-for-money credentials.

Despite being larger than the outgoing Skoda Kodiaq, the newcomer benefits from a more slippery shape and improved engine frugality, meaning it is more efficient than its predecessor.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine has cylinder deactivation technology that will switch off two cylinders when little power is required in order to save petrol. In seven-seat SE L trim guise it returns a WLTP combined fuel consumption figure of up to 45mpg.

The 150PS diesel is, unsurprisingly, even more frugal, returning up to 51mpg. And on along motorway run, you might even have a fighting chance of matching that figure.

The more powerful 193PS diesel unit more or less matches the fuel consumption figures of the 150PS petrol engine with around 45mpg, while the pokier 204PS petrol engine achieves a maximum official average of around 37mpg.

You'll probably laugh out loud at the plug-in hybrid's figure of more than 1,000mpg (seriously, that's not a typo), and your chances of matching that in the real world are about as likely as you completing the school run saddled on the back of a flying pig. However, the electric-only range of up to 75 miles - which is really good among PHEVs - will give you a good chance of completing most journeys on electric-only power, which you'll need to do for the best fuel economy.

Make sure to keep the 25.7kWh battery topped up: a full charge will take around four hours on a conventional 7kW home wallbox charger, and because the car can accept DC rapid charging at up to 40kW (again, good for a PHEV), the battery can be replenished from 10-80% in about 26 minutes.

Failure to keep you battery topped up will cause the petrol engine to take over, at which point the car will become quite thirsty, because as well as lugging around the weight of the car, it also has to lug around the weight of the battery.

Regardless, the PHEV will be the company car driver's favourite as its low Benefit in Kind tax rate is a fraction of those of the non-electrified models, so you'll pay a fraction of the tax. For even lower tax, go for the all-electric Skoda Enyaq, as EVs have even lower BIK rates. That car only has five seats, but in PHEV form, so does the Kodiaq.

Most models cost more than £40,000 brand new, so it's likely that your Kodiaq will be liable for higher-rate VED road tax, which will cost you hundreds of extra pounds per year between years two and six of the car's life. Only a couple of variants sit below that price threshold - thus escaping the higher rate - but they get pretty close. So, adding a couple of optional extras - of which there are plenty - could well take you over the threshold and land you with liability. If buying a pre-owned Kodiaq, it's a good idea to Google the reg of any potential purchase to make sure you know what you're letting yourself in for.

Insurance groups stand between 18 and 29 for the mainstream versions, and go as high as 31 on the high-performance vRS version.

Skoda offers a warranty of three years and/or 60,000 miles on the Kodiaq (the first two years have no mileage limited), which is somewhat less than the five-year/unlimited-mileage policy of the Hyundai Santa Fe, or the seven-year/100,000-mile policy of the Kia Sorento.

Skoda Kodiaq: Frequently asked questions

Is the Skoda Kodiaq a 7 seater?

What's the best engine in the Skoda Kodiaq?

Is the Skoda Kodiaq four-wheel drive?

Skoda Kodiaq customers are able to choose between five- and seven-seater models. Two trim grades, SE and SE L , were available from launch, later being joined in the range by a luxurious L&K (it stands for Laurin & Klement) variant and a racy SportLine variant.

Skoda Kodiaq SE standard equipment includes:

• 18-inch Mazeno alloy wheels
• LED front and rear lights
• LED front foglights with cornering function
• Heated front seats
• Heated multifunction steering wheel
• Ambient lighting
• KESSY keyless start system
• Tri-zone climate control
• Cruise control
• Front- and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Power adjusting and folding door mirrors with heating
• Loft Design Selection is standard
• 13.0-inch multimedia touchscreen display
• 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charging for two devices
• Front Assist with braking reaction to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
• Blind Spot Detection with door exit warning and Front Cross Traffic Assist

Skoda Kodiaq SE L models build on the generous specification of the SE and add:

• 19-inch Rapeto alloy wheels
• LED Matrix headlights with AFS (adaptive front light system) with cornering function
• EcoSuite Black design selection with perforated, black artificial and real leather
• Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function
• Electrically operated tailgate
• Keyless entry and start
• Variable boot floor

Skoda Kodiaq L&K models have an even more luxurious feel than SE L cars, with standard equipment including:

• 20-inch Venus alloy wheels
• Metallic paint
• L&K badging
• Cognac-coloured ecoSuite leather and faux-leather trim
• Heated rear seats
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Space-saver spare wheel (not on PHEV)
• Head-up display
• Adaptive cruise control
• 360-degree cameras, Remote parking assist
• Heated windscreen
• CANTON sound system

The Skoda Kodiaq SportLine takes a different approach to the L&K's luxury-focused one, adding sportier styling goodies and a few other bits to the SE L's spec. These include:

• 20-inch Rila alloy wheels
• Metallic paint
• SportLine badging
• Black sports styling elements
• Sports front- and rear bumpers
• Sports front seats
• SportLine design selection with perforated microsuede/artificial leather upholstery
• Sports steering wheel
• Adaptive cruise control
• Acoustic side- and rear windows
• Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive suspension