Lease deal
Skoda Kodiaq
2026
Petrol
Automatic
From £478
Per month inc. VAT£2,871 initial payment
The Skoda Kodiaq is one of the best large SUVs you can buy, thanks to a winning combination of practicality and value for money. It has become a huge success for Skoda, helping make SUVs a major part of the brand’s range.
There is no shortage of competitors to challenge the Skod Kodiaq. Both the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and SEAT Tarraco share the same underpinnings as the Skoda, and all offer seven seats. Both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe provide similar space, while Peugeot’s impressive 5008 is another contender, too.
The Skoda Kodiaq is an eminently usable and affordable large SUV, offering space for up to seven people, but without the large price tag associated with more ‘premium’ rivals.
While the Skoda Kodiaq isn’t the very largest SUV in its class, it still occupies a lot of real estate on the road. This does, however, translate into plenty of space on the inside. Front-seat passengers get the premium experience, with acres of headroom and legroom. Things are fairly decent in the second row, and only the tallest passengers in the third row of seven-seat models will feel cramped.
It’s worth noting that, with all seven seats in use, the boot space shrinks to only 270 litres. This does mean a trade-off between hauling passengers and luggage.
There certainly isn’t a budget feel to the Skoda Kodiaq’s cabin, with materials more than good enough to be found inside the related Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. Higher-specification models, notably the Skoda Kodiaq Laurin & Klement, feel genuinely luxurious, helped by standard beige leather upholstery.
On the road, the Skoda Kodiaq feels slick and polished, fitting its role as family transport. The ride can feel a little firm on models with the largest alloy wheels but, in general, the Skoda Kodiaq absorbs bumps and broken tarmac with ease. The diesel engines work best with the Skoda Kodiaq’s SUV role, and result in improved fuel economy versus the petrol models.
We think the Skoda Kodiaq has very few flaws. The third row of seats might not be large, but they are more than sufficient for kids. Beyond that, the Skoda Kodiaq manages to deliver better value than the related Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace or SEAT Tarraco. The Skoda Kodiaq has played an important role in Skoda’s image transformation, but it has not forgotten the brand’s core values of practicality and affordability.
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We like the 2.0-litre diesel in the Skoda Kodiaq, although it won’t suit everyone. If you cover high motorway miles or need to tow a caravan, it’s undoubtedly the engine of choice. The 150PS version is fine, but go for the 190PS if you’d like a little extra power. Otherwise, look for a petrol. The 1.5 might feel a little underpowered at times but it’s refined and cheap to run, while the 2.0 is punchier yet not exactly frugal.
In terms of trim level, there’s no shortage of models for you to choose from. We’d avoid the cheapest S model - it’s pretty basic and didn’t sell in huge numbers before it was withdrawn from sale. A Skoda Kodiaq SE Technology, SE Drive or SE L will tick all the boxes for most buyers without being too expensive. That said, some of the pricier models are very nice indeed, particularly the top-spec Kodiaq L&K. There is also the sporty Skoda Kodiaq vRS.
As of 2021, the cheapest Skoda Kodiaqs were ditched and the trim levels were simplified. Base SE Drive or SE L trim remained the best options in terms of affordability versus kit.
The Skoda Kodiaq is offered with a choice of engines, split between petrol and diesel. There are no hybrid or plug-in hybrid options available. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard for certain engines, although a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic is also available.
Skoda Kodiaq 1.4 TSI 125: This engine offers 47.1mpg and 140g/km of carbon dioxide emissions, making it a viable alternative to a diesel for running costs. However, it takes effort to get the best from it so probably best to look for a more powerful version for a relaxed drive.
Skoda Kodiaq 1.4 TSI 150: This engine comes with four-wheel drive and offers 40.9mpg along with 156g/km CO2 emissions. Not the swiftest Kodiaq but a solid cruiser.
Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI 150: The core engine for the Skoda Kodiaq range is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol. It produces 150PS, which can feel a little underpowered for the Skoda Kodiaq’s size. Depending on the trim level chosen, it comes with either a manual or DSG dual-clutch auto gearbox, and can achieve an average of up to 40.3mpg.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TSI 180: Only offered with higher trim levels, the 180PS 2.0 litre petrol used a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox as standard. It delivers 38.2mpg and 170g/km CO2 output.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TSI 190: Moving up the range, there’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 190PS. This produces more usable performance, with a 0-62mph time of less than eight seconds. A DSG dual-clutch transmission, and four-wheel drive, are standard with this engine. Average fuel economy drops to 34.6mpg.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TSI 245 vRS: Fitted solely to the Skoda Kodiaq vRS, this version of the 2.0-litre petrol turbo produces 245PS. All-wheel drive and the DSG auto transmission are standard, while the 0-62mph time is less than seven seconds. Expect average fuel economy of 32.4mpg for the vRS.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 115: This was the entry to the diesel range of engines for the Kodiaq. However, it offers no economy benefits and is not as quick or flexible as the 150PS version.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 150: For those doing bigger mileages, or even towing a caravan, the Skoda Kodiaq’s diesel engines will make a lot of sense. The core 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 150PS, and allows the Kodiaq to accelerate from 0-62mph in just less than 10 seconds. It uses the DSG transmission as standard, and offers up to 52.6mpg.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 190: The most powerful diesel engine at launch for the Kodiaq was only offered in the top line Edition model. It makes light work of motorways and has brisk acceleration. Fuel economy comes in at a claimed 49.6mpg and it emits 151g/km of CO2.
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 200: Available on all models above SE Drive, this 200PS version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine packs a more powerful punch. The 0-62mph time falls to below eight seconds, while average fuel economy remains respectable at around 42.6mpg. All-wheel drive and a DSG transmission are standard.
The Skoda Kodiaq comes in a choice of different trim levels, with luxury and high-performance versions included.
Skoda Kodiaq S: The base S model only came with five seats, and it rode on 17-inch alloy wheels. It had air conditioning and the basic infotainment set-up with smaller touchscreen. Not a big seller when new and an SE version makes much more sense as a used buy.
Skoda Kodiaq SE Drive: This became the entry-level Skoda Kodiaq after Skoda ditched the slow-selling S version. It may not be as luxurious as other models, but it still comes with features like cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. The SE Drive is the only Kodiaq offered in five- or seven-seat form.
Skoda Kodiaq SE Technology: SE Technology includes a Skoda Connect with Infotainment Online providing satellite navigation, traffic reports and calendar updates.
Skoda Kodiaq SE L Executive: Like the rest of the range, the SE L Executive is strictly a seven-seat SUV. It adds plenty of chrome exterior trim, matrix LED headlights, leather upholstery and wireless smartphone charging.
Skoda Kodiaq Edition: Initially, this was the highest trim level when the Kodiaq was launched. It comes with silver roof rails, metallic paint, a leather upholstery, wireless charging port, blind spot monitoring, electrically adjustable front seats and light assist.
Skoda Kodiaq Scout: This model includes special Scout off-road front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, Scout plaques on the front wings and silver door mirrors. 19-inch Crater Anthracite alloy wheels complete the look. Inside, you have Alcantara trimmed seats and door panels, along with wood finish dashboard and door inserts and a Scout plaque on the dashboard.
Skoda Kodiaq Sportline: For vRS-style looks, but without the price tag, the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline adds a dynamic twist on things. A Sportline body kit includes a black front grille, plus there is microsuede upholstery for the interior and a three-spoke sports steering wheel.
Skoda Kodiaq Laurin & Klement: Named after the founders of the Skoda brand, the Laurin & Klement badge is reserved for the most luxurious models. For the Skoda Kodiaq, this means a beige leather interior, an upgraded Canton sound system, a panoramic sunroof and a digital instrument panel.
Skoda Kodiaq vRS: The high-performance Skoda Kodiaq vRS comes with unique body styling, along with sports suspension and progressive steering. Numerous vRS badges can be found outside and in, while the cabin benefits from shapely bucket seats and a digital instrument panel.
The Skoda Kodiaq’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4699mm
Width: 1882mm
Height: 1685mm
Ground clearance: 192mm
The Skoda Kodiaq’s boot space is:
765 litres (five-seat version)
2005 litres with rear seats folded
The vast majority of Skoda Kodiaqs on the used market will have been registered on or after 1 April 2017. This means they will cost you the flat rate of road tax of £180. Just beware cars put on the road prior to this date with higher Co2 emissions as they can be pricey for road tax.
The Skoda Kodiaq can be affordable or quite expensive to insure. With such a wide spread of engines and trim levels, the Skoda Kodiaq spans a number of insurance groups. The entry-level Skoda Kodiaq SE Drive, fitted with the 1.5-litre TSI engine, falls into group 18 (out of 50). A luxurious Skoda Kodiaq Laurin & Klement starts from group 22, while the high-performance vRS is in group 30.
Read our full Skoda Kodiaq review