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By Jonathan Crouch

Skoda has evolved its family-sized Kodiaq SUV. Jonathan Crouch drives the second generation model.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 97

Skoda is now well established in the upper part of the mid-sized SUV segment with its Kodiaq, a model usefully upgraded in this second generation form with a smarter look, both inside and out, and some more efficient engines. You can still have seven seats and four wheel drive. And, whatever spec is chosen, you still get class-leading passenger space and a range of distinctly Skoda 'Simply Clever' features. It can tow up to 2.4-tonnes too - and has one of the largest boots in the class. In other words, you'd have to take this contender seriously.

Backgroundword count: 137

The Kodiaq was the car that started the Skoda SUV revolution back in 2016. Since then, the brand has sold over 3 million SUVs, expanding the range with the mid-sized Karoq and the even smaller Kamiq. And all the while, the Kodiaq sold steadily, with 865,000 sales in eight years of production (55,000 of them in the UK), helped by a mid-term update in 2021 and over 40 international awards. So how do you right a best seller? This roomier, more sophisticated second generation model is Skoda's answer to that question, car which customers can now specify in PHEV plug-in form for the first time. The latest MLB Evo platform and engineering here is borrowed from the company's Superb (and the ninth generation Volkswagen Passat), but the finished product feels very much an evolution of its predecessor.

Driving Experienceword count: 240

You don't buy a Kodiaq prioritising engaging driving dynamics, but nevertheless, Skoda promises these should be improved as a result of this second generation model's switch to the VW Group's latest MQB Evo platform, a lightly evolved version of the MQB chassis used before. As with the other recently introduced models that use these underpinnings (latest versions of Volkswagen's Tiguan and Passat, plus Skoda's own Superb), the engines that feature have been evolved too. This is the first Kodiaq to get mild hybrid power, a 1.5-litre TSI e-TEC unit developing 150PS. This engine also forms the basis for the first Plug-in Hybrid version of this model, the Kodiaq iV, which pairs it with an electric motor and a 25.7kWh battery that when fully charged claims to be able to take the car up to 60 miles. At the top of the line-up, there's a vRS variant with a potent 265PS 2.0-litre TSI turbo powerplant from the Golf GTI. The brand is still defiantly offering diesel too, with the usual pair of TDI options, with either 150 or 193PS, the latter with standard 4WD. As with later versions of the old model, all conventionally-engined Kodiaqs must have 7-speed DSG auto transmission. There's the option of a redeveloped 'DCC Plus' Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping system which now uses two-valve technology to control suspension rebound and compression (replacing the old single-valve system). Expect ride quality to be significantly improved as a result.

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