This is the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq, with more space, new styling and a plug-in hybrid option
The new Skoda Kodiaq has been revealed after a series of teasers. It now has a couple of hybrid engines – the first time electrification has been offered on the Kodiaq – plus a new interior with multifunctional control dials like you get on a smartwatch.
The Kodiaq is a large SUV and most versions get seven seats. It shares parts with the SEAT Tarraco and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace, and also rivals the Peugeot 5008 and Land Rover Discovery Sport. It’s been a huge hit for the Czech brand since it first came out in 2016, and this new version brings more technology, style and practicality to the party.
2024 Skoda Kodiaq price and release date
The new Kodiaq is projected to go on sale in early 2024. Skoda will wait until nearer its release date to confirm pricing and finance options, but you can expect the car to cost slightly more than the outgoing model. A starting price of around £36,000 is likely.
Styling
On first impressions the Kodiaq might not look vastly different to the car it replaces, but look closer and you'll see lots of new design features. The front end still features a wide grille and split headlights, but the design has been freshened up with crisp new lines.
It's a similar story at the rear, where the rough shape of the light units is similar to the current car, but more defined. LED bulbs will be used for a sharper, cleaner look.
There's a more noticeable change in the side profile, where the rear passenger windows are linked to the rear windscreen by a piece of coloured trim. It's likely that this trim piece will be either black or silver, depending on the specification. There are shades of Kia Sorento and Land Rover Discovery in its design, hinting at a more upmarket-feeling car.
Interior and technology
Skoda has completely redesigned the Kodiaq's interior. There's a massive 13-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted at the top of the dashboard, rather than the current car’s design where the eight-inch screen is built into the centre console. A slim digital instrument cluster is fitted as standard. The Kodiaq also features customisable push buttons with digital displays – these mainly control the heating and ventilation, but the centre dial can also control the media volume, drive modes and map zoom. Skoda's maximised storage space on the centre console by moving the gear selector to the steering column, like in a Mercedes.
Like the Enyaq, the Kodiaq will be available with a few different interior themes, called Loft, Lounge and ecoSuite – the latter boasts recycled polyester trim and leather that's been tanned in an eco-friendly way using coffee beans. Options will include an upgraded sound system, massaging seats, an illuminated grille, a head-up display and a rear light bar connecting the tail-lights.
Five and seven-seat versions of the Kodiaq will again be available and, despite only a modest increase in length, boot space is much bigger than the outgoing Kodiaq – which you could hardly call impractical. Five-seat Kodiaqs have a vast 910-litre boot (75 litres more than current cars), while seven-seat Kodiaqs offer 845 litres with the third row folded. Even with all seven seats in place, there's a 340-litre boot, which is almost as much as a Volkswagen Polo's boot.
Engines, running costs and performance
While the Superb and Octavia have offered a plug-in hybrid engine in recent years, the Kodiaq has never offered any type of hybrid powertrain. That’ll change with the new car, which will boast both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The mild-hybrid tech is offered on the entry-level 1.5-litre 150hp petrol, which also boasts active cylinder deactivation to save fuel.
The new plug-in hybrid offering promises over 60 miles of electric-only driving – so you might be able to do several days' worth of driving without needing to plug in or use any petrol. Combined, it produces 204hp. Unusually for a plug-in hybrid, the Kodiaq PHEV will be able to charge on a DC fast charger at up to 50kW.
These hybrid engines will sit alongside non-hybrid petrol and diesel engines. All Kodiaqs now come with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive is available once again on the most powerful engines.
Versions over £40,000 will be subject to a higher VED (road tax) charge than cheaper models until the car is six years old, while hybrid versions will be subject to fractionally lower road tax bills than non-hybrid ones.
When will I be able to buy a new Skoda Kodiaq from Motorpoint?
With the new model set to go on sale in early 2024, you should start to see nearly new examples landing at Motorpoint stores before the end of next year. Check out our range of used Skoda Kodiaq cars for sale if you need a practical, spacious SUV right now.
