The Skoda Kodiaq is one of the most popular and successful models in the Czech brand’s lineup, offering a versatile and practical seven-seat SUV that can handle any terrain and situation. For 2024, the Skoda Kodiaq has been completely redesigned, featuring a more powerful and expressive exterior, a more spacious and innovative interior, and a more sustainable and efficient powertrain. We will examine what makes the 2024 Skoda Kodiaq an excellent choice for SUV buyers who value space, functionality, and sustainability.
Exterior: Powerful Appearance and Modern Design Language
The new Skoda Kodiaq has grown slightly in length compared to its predecessor, measuring 187.3 inches (4758 mm) from bumper to bumper. This gives it a more imposing and confident stance on the road and more room for passengers and cargo inside. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 116.9 inches (2971 mm), ensuring balanced and agile handling.
The front end of the new Kodiaq features a redesigned grille with vertical slats and a chrome frame, flanked by sharper and slimmer LED headlights that incorporate the second-generation matrix technology for better visibility and safety. The headlights also feature a horizontal light bar that extends across the grille, creating a distinctive signature at night. The front bumper has been reshaped to include larger air intakes and fog lights, giving the Kodiaq a more aggressive and sporty look.
The side profile of the new Kodiaq showcases its muscular and dynamic proportions, with a sloping roofline, sculpted doors, and prominent wheel arches. The 2024 Skoda Kodiaq is available with a wide range of alloy wheels in sizes from 17 to 20 inches and nine colors, including a new shade called Bronx Gold Metallic. The rear end of the new Kodiaq features a full-width LED light bar that connects the taillights, echoing the front design. The rear bumper has also been revised to include a diffuser and dual exhaust tips for a more premium and powerful appearance.
The new Kodiaq also offers a Sportline trim level that adds several black accents to the exterior, including roof rails, window frames, side mirror caps, front grille surround, rear diffuser, and badges. The Sportline also features exclusive 19-inch wheels with a glossy anthracite finish or an optional 20-inch set with aero covers.
Interior: Spacious Design and Innovative Controls
The interior of the 2024 Skoda Kodiaq is overhauled to offer a more spacious, comfortable, and modern cabin for up to seven occupants. The dashboard was redesigned to feature a large 10-inch or optional 13-inch infotainment screen that dominates the center console, offering access to various functions such as navigation, media, phone, climate, and settings. The infotainment system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging for two smartphones.
The new Skoda Kodiaq also introduces Smart Dials on the center console, three rotary knobs with 1.25-inch displays built into them. These allow the driver and passenger to adjust the interior temperature, seat heating, seat ventilation, infotainment system volume, fan speed, air direction, and smart air conditioning. The Smart Dials can be customized to show four different functions depending on the user’s preference.
The instrument cluster of the new Kodiaq has also been upgraded to feature a 10-inch head-up display that directly projects the most important information into the driver’s line of sight, such as speed, navigation directions, traffic signs, and warnings. The head-up display can also show augmented reality elements that enhance the driving experience.
The new Skoda Kodiaq offers more space for passengers and cargo than before, thanks to its increased length and clever packaging. The second row of seats can slide forward and backward by up to 7 inches (180 mm) and recline for more comfort. The third row of seats can be folded flat into the floor when not in use, creating an ample trunk space of up to 72 cubic feet (2040 liters). The new Kodiaq also features various storage compartments throughout the cabin, including door pockets, cup holders, glove box, and center armrest.
The 2024 Skoda Kodiaq also emphasizes sustainability in its interior design, using recycled materials for some upholstery options. For example, an EcoTex fabric is made from recycled PET bottles and wool fibers. There is also an EcoLeather option that is made from recycled leather fibers and polyurethane. These materials are not only environmentally friendly but also durable and comfortable.
Powertrain: More Sustainable Than Ever With Plug-In And Mild Hybrid Technology
The new Kodiaq offers a range of powertrain options that are more sustainable than ever before, thanks to the introduction of plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid technology for the first time in this model. The plug-in hybrid option combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a 13 kWh battery pack, producing a total output of 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in hybrid Kodiaq can travel up to 62 miles (100 km) on electric power alone, according to the WLTP cycle, and can be fully charged in less than four hours using a 3.6 kW wallbox.
The mild hybrid option is available for both the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engines, which deliver 148 horsepower and 187 horsepower, respectively. The mild hybrid system consists of a belt-driven starter-generator and a 48-volt battery that boosts power and torque when needed, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The mild hybrid Kodiaq also features a coasting function that switches off the engine when the driver lifts off the accelerator, saving more fuel.
For diesel fans, the new Kodiaq offers two 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engines, with 148 horsepower and 197 horsepower, respectively. The diesel engines have a selective catalytic reduction system that reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80 percent. The diesel engines also feature an AdBlue injection system that reduces the consumption of the urea solution by up to 50 percent.
All the engines of the new Kodiaq are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that offers smooth and quick shifts. The new Kodiaq provides a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, depending on the engine and trim level. The all-wheel-drive system features an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that distributes the torque between the front and rear axles as needed, enhancing traction and stability in different road conditions.
