A KODIAQ TO THE MAX (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 98

Skoda's idea of a performance mid-sized SUV is different to many other rival brands - and more appealing for that. The Kodiaq vRS was converted to petrol power as part of the MK1 design's mid-life update in 2021 and sells for the kind of money that could alternatively buy you a faster premium-badged crossover. But this seven-seat Czech contender delivers more character, more space and family flexibility, more traction, more equipment: more of just about everything really. None of which would matter if this wasn't really a credible piece of performance engineering. But, rather surprisingly, it actually is.

Modelsword count: 4

5dr SUV (2.0 TSI)

Historyword count: 156

In the normal run of things, you wouldn't consider a Skoda Kodiaq, the Czech brand's mid-to-large 7-seat 'D'-segment SUV, as being an ideal candidate for performance engineering. It's a family conveyance intended for suburbia rather than Silverstone. Firming it up, adding on a body kit and shoe-horning a powerful engine beneath the bonnet ought to make little sense. Yet, against the odds, it did with the original version of the Kodiaq vRS, which featured a bi turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine and was one of our favourite family SUVs, until emissions legislation forced this variant out of production. Unwilling to abandon the idea of a sporty Kodiaq, in 2021 Skoda re-introduced this top variant to the line-up as part of this model line's mid-term update, this time with 2.0-litre TSI petrol power. Surprising Skoda? In this case, yes. The Kodiaq vRS sold in this form until early 2024, when it was replaced by a second generation model.

What You Getword count: 321

Skoda dressed the Kodiaq vRS carefully to match its premium performance station in life. So there are eye-catching 20-inch 'Sagitarius' alloy wheels, along with red 'vRS' badges on the nose and tail. Plus sleeker bumpers front and back, big bore dual exhaust tips and gloss back finishing for the roof rails, wing mirrors, window frames and front grille. None of this does anything to disguise this SUV's quite prodigious size; at around 4.7-metres in length, it's one of the biggest VW Group models to be spun off the conglomerate's MQB platform. Inside, you get carbonfibre trim and the obligatory sports steering wheel, plus aluminium pedals and sports seats upholstered in grippy alcantara fabric. There's a standard 9.2-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen and Skoda includes its 10.25-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instrument binnacle. And in the rear? Well the second row bench features all the versatility you'd want from this kind of seven-seat SUV, so the backrest reclines for greater comfort on long journeys and the base slides back and forth by up to 180mm. So, what's it like in the third row? Well there, you're quickly reminded that this is an SUV, not an MPV. Overall though, the space in the very back isn't really any more restricted than it would be in any other mid-sized SUV of this kind - and uncomplaining adults joining you for short journeys will probably be quite glad of it. What about cargo capacity? With the tailgate raised, a huge aperture is revealed, complete with a usefully low loading sill. Most of the time, owners of seven-seat Kodiaq models are probably going to be using their cars with the rearmost seats folded into the floor, an action easy and simple to complete. In which case there's 630-litres of space on offer with the middle row sensibly positioned. Fold the second row bench and a class leadingly-large 2,005-litre space is revealed (or 2,065-litres in a five seat-only model).

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