The eagerly anticipated 2017 Skoda Kodiaq SUV has finally been unveiled, and, it is a rather striking beast.
A stark departure from the rest of the Skoda lineup, the sleek Skoda Kodiaq SUV is reminiscent of a beefed-up Range Rover sport. With official dimensions of 4697mm in length, 1882mm wide and 1676mm tall, the Skoda Kodiaq SUV sizes up nicely against the most popular soccer-mum SUV’s on the market, most notable the Toyota Kluger and the ever-popular Kia Sorento.
Available in both five and seven seat guise, the Skoda Kodiaq boasts an impressive boot capacity of 2065-litre’s when all the seats are folded down.
Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier was optimistic about the new SUV in stating: “With our first large SUV, we are conquering a new segment for the brand – and new customer groups. Our new addition to the Skoda model range is truly as strong as a bear: it makes the brand even more attractive thanks to its concept, striking design and as the first Skoda that has the option of always being online and thereby offering more comfort, safety and real-time information. The Skoda Kodiaq is at the forefront of Skoda extensive SUV campaign.”
Based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix (MQB) as seen in everything from the Volkswagen Golf GTI to the Audi TT, the Skoda Kodiaq is significantly lighter than you expect, with the entry-level TSI engine and front-wheel drive Skoda Kodiaq tipping the scales at a meager 1452kg or 1540kg when optioned with the Volkswagen Group’s all-wheel-drive system.
Prospective Skoda Kodiaq customers will be able to choose from a selection of two diesel and three petrol engines, with the latter expected to be the most popular choice for buyers as the Volkswagen Group continues to recover from the disastrous DieselGate scandal that saw sales (and resale value) on Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda diesel engines plummet.
Kicking off the petrol range will be a 1.4-litre turbocharged unit that produces 92kW of power, 200Nm of torque and returns a combined fuel consumption use of 6.0L/100km. The second will be a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbocharged unit (fuel comumption not yet confirmed), and topping the range will be a 2.0-litre engine producing 132kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
Both of the diesel options for the Skoda Kodiaq will feature a 2.0-litre unit, the first producing 110kW/340Nm and a combined fuel consumption of 5.0L/100km, with the more powerful unit dispensing 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque (fuel comumption not yet confirmed).
Australian deliveries for the Skoda Kodiaq SUV are expected to commence in mid-2018 with Australian pricing and specifications to be confirmed closer to the release date.
