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Skoda Kodiaq Edition, 2.0-Litre TDi 150PS DSG, Review
Auto Reviews
★★★★★
Quick Facts
Model spec: Kodiaq Edition Price: £36,085.00 Engine: 2.0-L TDi, 4-cylinder, Turbo Diesel
BHP / Torque: 150 / 340 Max Speed: 123 CO2: 131g/km 0-62mph: 10 seconds
Economy/Range: 50mpg combined Tax: £135/year
SO, this is Skoda’s latest and largest SUV to date, the Kodiaq. Named after an Alaskan bear that inhabits the archipelago of Kodiak, the Kodiak brown bear is one of the two largest bears in the animal kingdom, the other brother being the Polar Bear. Skoda’s bear is different, it’s won car industry awards for being good at various large SUV specific things. But car industry awards are just shiny trinkets that gather dust and are soon forgotten about until the following year when the whole awards cycle begins again. So is the Skoda Kodiaq an over-rated industry award winner or just a cuddly SUV? The external styling takes cues from the Superb, indeed the Kodiaq looks like a super-sized Superb estate with massive alloy wheels. Nothing wrong with that, it’s discreetly smart and admittedly awkward looking from some angles. With 10 models and over 35 model derivatives to choose from lack of choice is a phrase unknown to the Kodiaq range. It’s the same for the range of engines on offer, 3 three petrol engines, a 1.4-litre TSi available in two power derivatives and a 2.0-litre, 180bhp TSi. There is just one diesel engine option, however, the 2.0-litre TDi is available in 150bhp and 190bhp power derivatives. Typically with a big SUV, you get 4×4 drive with specific model trims, The Kodiaq is also available with an option of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG (auto) transmission. On the inside, you get a typically sensible looking very functional interior. It isn’t as plush as the Superb, upfront is a mix of soft and hard plastics and exclusively hard plastics at the rear, specifically for the upper and lower door panels. But it is all well built and screwed together. And don’t worry about space, it’s huge, up front, equally so for rear seated passengers in the second row. The third row of seats (optional for certain model trims) are spacious… if you are about 10 years old. And of course, the boot space is huge with the 2nd row of seats up, reserved with the 3rd row of seats in situ, however, gigantic amounts of space are yielded when they are folded flat. There are plenty of storage features throughout for nicks and snacks and plenty of 12V charging points for the modern iPad/smartphone charging generation. So onto the driving experience, it er’s on the side comfort over outright performance handling, however, the Kodiaq exhibits little wallowing through the corners. It feels well balanced and sure-footed, more like a large sedan than a high-riding SUV. Indeed the 2WD Kodiaq Edition on test felt safe, stable and secure on the road. The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel pulls cleanly and offers strong low to mid-levels of torque, it’s relatively quiet and refined on the move and offers plenty of pulling power even when loaded up with day to days essentials, such as fellow human beings and or luggage. The combined fuel economy was not too shabby, 50mpg. The seven-speed DSG is a little clunky at low speed but super swift when getting up to speed and moving through the gear ratios. The Kodiaq Editon model trim sits at the top of the ownership spectrum. Standard equipment throughout the range is predictably generous and includes City Emergency Brake that uses a radar, to detect dangerous situations involving pedestrians or other vehicles in front of the car. Other Edition equipment highlights include 19-inch alloys, a new 9.2-inch 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, cornering LED front lights, LED daytime running lights, heated leather front seats, the latest driver safety tech such as Departure Warning. And… you get the picture by now. The Kodiaq retails from £22k for the entry-level S model and up to £37k for the top spec Edition (fully loaded) model.  Competitors are fierce, the Kia Sorento offers a plusher interior and arguably looks better and another rival, the Range Rover Discovery Sport looks good on paper,  easily has the best 4×4 system but is based on an aging Ford based platform and the new own-brand Ingenium engine is suffering from reliability issues., yet it is the most expensive rival. Take your pick, it’s your choice.  Skoda-Kodia-Reiview-Daily-Car-Blog-J
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