The new ŠKODA KODIAQ is here

The new KODIAQ has some design tweaks and new technologies, including its headlights and a new engine for the RS version. Check out the new face of the car that launched ŠKODA’s SUV offensive four years ago.

13. 4. 2021 Models Kodiaq

The innovated ŠKODA KODIAQ brings a series of improvements to the popular SUV, over 600,000 of which have been made at four plants in different parts of the world (the Kvasiny plant in Czechia and also in Russia, India and China). The new version wants to build on this success, offering customers state-of-the-art technologies including new engines or innovated equipment and upgraded assistance systems.

“The KODIAQ was a real game changer for us. It was the first model of our SUV campaign and opened up a completely new, rapidly growing vehicle segment. Our customers and the international trade press appreciate the KODIAQ’s brand-typical qualities, just as they do with our other models,” says ŠKODA CEO Thomas Schäfer about the KODIAQ’s important role, adding that customers like the brand’s traditional values: emotive design, excellent value-for-money, roomy interiors and excellent equipment options.

More striking and distinctive

The new and even more emotive design will be the key distinguishing feature of the rejuvenated KODIAQ SUV. The front has been given a more upright six-sided radiator grille and new, elevated bonnet. Other details have given the KODIAQ a more off-road look, especially the new bumpers. These are framed by L-shaped panels on both sides. Other noticeable features are the wider central air intake and aluminium-coloured details.

The new ŠKODA KODIAQ SUV

The front lights are also new. The headlights are narrower and more dynamic-looking. Combined with the fog lights they create a new “four-eye” look on the SUV. Now the front headlights use LED technology as standard, with the option of state-of-the-art Full LED Matrix lights.

The rear bumper has been given a distinctive diffusor and its design matches the front bumper. With its pronounced edges, the reworked bumper optically widens the car and gives it an even more dynamic look. That is enhanced by two other features: primarily the new spoiler at the top of the fifth door and also the redesigned lights that use LED technology and have a narrower and more chiselled shape. The C-shape of the lights layout has been retained, however.

„With the launch of the KODIAQ four years ago, we took a major step forward towards our current design language. Owing to a few subtle changes, our SUV now presents as even more emotive. The new front is crisper, and the design of the four newly arranged headlights lends the KODIAQ a unique character. The new, aluminium-effect details at the front and rear provide the car with great off-road styling. At the same time, we have managed to make the rear even more dynamic with a new roof spoiler and sharper tail lights,” summarises Oliver Stefani, chief designer at ŠKODA. Unlike the other versions, the new KODIAQ RS has a reworked six-sided radiator grille with striking double ribs in gloss black finish. Compared to its predecessor, the KODIAQ RS now has a distinctive and dynamic-looking front bumper specific to the given model.

Oliver Stefani, chief designer at ŠKODA, presents the new KODIAQ.

Even more comfort

The KODIAQ’s interior also sees a series of changes, of course. “We have once again further developed the spacious and comfortable interior of the KODIAQ. New contrasting stitching and the LED ambient lighting’s extended range of functions create new visual highlights, while subtle details harmoniously emphasise the overall appearance of our large SUV. For the first time, we are also offering ergonomic seats in the KODIAQ. These can be electrically adjusted and ventilated if desired, and boast a massage function,” says Stefani, describing what’s new.

The LAURIN&KLEMENT version of the ŠKODA KODIAQ.

ŠKODA KODIAQ RS

ŠKODA KODIAQ SPORTLINE

All the versions of the new KODIAQ have a new steering wheel: the standard one is a new two-spoke steering wheel with crystalline controls, while the sportier SPORTLINE and RS have three-spoke steering wheels.

One of the biggest changes in the optionally seven-seater interior is the ergonomic seats available for passengers in the front. They are fully electrically adjustable, with a manually extendable seat base. In addition to memory foam and perforated leather upholstery, they can have heating, ventilation and even massage functions. These nice details raise in-car comfort to an entirely new level.

A seven-seater interior is one of the available options.

It goes without saying that the car’s occupants have a first-class infotainment system at their fingertips, including an up to 9.2-inch touchscreen display. Another option is a 10.15-inch virtual instrument panel with four display styles or, in the case of the SPORTLINE and RS versions, a fifth sporty design. Needless to say, the driver can choose what information is shown on the display.

The Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus infotainment systems have a built-in eSIM and their users can look forward to modern functions that can be controlled via a mobile app as well as Laura, the voice assistant who speaks fifteen languages and even understands naturally spoken Czech, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. The system can, of course, be hooked up to mobile phones via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. Another option is Phone Box for wireless phone charging. Even the Canton audio system has been tweaked, with two more speakers added (making 12 in total).

Modern infotainment display

Improved assistance systems add to driving convenience and, of course, the occupants’ safety. The adaptive cruise control functions up to a speed of 210 km/h, while the emergency braking function is able to detect both pedestrians and cyclists. As part of the car’s proactive passenger protection, new radar sensors at the back can even prepare the vehicle and its occupants for the risk of a collision from behind.

A palette of modern engines

The ŠKODA KODIAQ will now come with five engines: two turbo diesels and three turbo-powered petrol engines. All are part of the new EVO line, which places emphasis on low emissions. “The EVO engines in the KODIAQ combine superior power delivery with increased efficiency and lower CO₂ and NO_x emissions. The ‘twin dosing’ method of exhaust gas treatment applied in the diesel engines lowers nitrogen oxide emissions by roughly 80 per cent, while the petrol engines’ fuel consumption is reduced thanks to an injection pressure of up to 350 bar, among other things. In the KODIAQ RS, we are – for the first time – employing a petrol engine that, being more powerful and yet lighter, makes our sporty range-topping model even more dynamic,” explains Johannes Neft, ŠKODA board member responsible for technical development.

The entry-level engine for the KODIAQ is the 110 kW 1.5 TSI with cylinder deactivation. This is the only KODIAQ engine that is combined with a manual six-speed gearbox and front wheel drive. The four-cylinder 2.0 TDI delivers the same performance, but as standard it is hooked up to a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and offers the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. All the other versions of the new KODIAQ have all-wheel drive and DSG transmission.

The more powerful diesel engine is a 2.0 TDI delivering 147 kW. The mid-range petrol engine is the 140 kW 2.0 TSI. Top of the range is the RS version with its 2.0 TSI engine adjusted to deliver 180 kW. That is 4 kW more than its RS predecessor. In addition, the new petrol engine is 60 kilos lighter, with a further 5.2 kg of weight stripped from the new DSG transmission.