New Skoda Kodiaq review: simply the BEST?!

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The Skoda Kodiaq has been a standout in the family SUV market since its debut, offering a blend of practicality, style, and impressive value. In this video, we take a closer look at the latest version of the Kodiaq, and see whether it is worth choosing over competitors like the VW Tiguan or the Peugeot 5008.
The Kodiaq's design is bold and modern, with sharp lines and a strong road presence that gives it a premium look. The front features Skoda's signature grille, flanked by sleek headlights, while the sculpted sides and wide stance emphasize its SUV character. Whether you opt for the more rugged Scout model or the sporty RS, the Kodiaq manages to look sophisticated and practical all at once.
Inside, the Kodiaq offers an impressive level of space, with seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The cabin is both functional and comfortable, with high-quality materials, intuitive tech, and ample legroom throughout. The boot is also generously sized, unless you have the three rows of seats all in use.
Under the bonnet, the Kodiaq offers a range of engine choices to suit different driving needs. From efficient petrol and diesel engines to a punchy plug-in hybrid option, there's something for everyone. Performance is solid across the board, with a smooth and composed ride, while the four-wheel-drive versions provide added grip for off-road adventures or challenging weather conditions.
So is the Kodiaq the best SUV money can buy without splashing the cash on a fancy German rival? Stick wtih Mat to see for yourself!

[@carwow]

Change your car with Carwow: bit.ly/-Change-Your-Car-1811

[@officialFUKU]

The gear selection lever is the most stupid thing i've seen since touch steering wheels... why on earth would anyone think twisting a lever like some weird combination of a volume knob and a parking brake is a good idea? It's not intuitive, it's not ergonomic, and it adds zero value to the driving experience. A lever you can push up and down? Clear. Easy. Logical. Twisting? What is this, adjusting the bass on my car stereo from 1998? It’s a gear selector, not a fidget spinner!

[@VeronicaMccoy-z8m]

Not to be overlooked is Kodiak's class-leading towing capability. The 4x4 model that my wife owns is capable of towing somewhat more than 2 tons.

[@sivx17]

Lol i like how simple the instrument cluster is in the car. Not overdone like a lot of the other manufacturers.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Like the Tiguan or the Tesla Model Performance S?

[@lepenpitopen]

Designers of Kodiaq: Hey Chatgpt create a new design of the Kodiaq but don’t bother changing it too much

[@PavelKostromitinov]

And that's a good thing.

[@hades5193]

​@@PavelKostromitinovthe previous gen looked better honestly

[@henryviiifake8244]

Pretty sure they don't need ChstGPT for that 😬

[@Z4G.]

''If its not broken, dont fix it''

[@Omgiamsotriggered]

Skoda never changes that much, its not their thing. Its a sturdy reliable car with regular design and nothing too flashy or wierd. Believe me when I say THEY SELL, like hotcakes. They are always record sellers in any EU country, companies, police, military, taxis, whatever etc right, they buy them like crazy.

[@OutsideDuhBox]

Our Black Friday Deals ar... *skips 40 seconds 🤣🤣

[@snakeeyes9246]

Always will do that.

[@maximac1515]

I don't quite understand this part about messing with 3rd row seat belts to extend the load cover in 9:11 when you can clearly see in 13:51 that seat belts are correctly detached and put away on back pillars. Absolute cinema.

[@purwantiallan5089]

The back seat of this 2025 2nd gen Kodiaq appears to be a bit heavier.

[@zoltancsibykilyen6030]

You are not doing it correctly for the rear seatbelts , you need to unplug them before closing down the third row of seats, that way they won't be in your way. This was in the 1st generation, i guess is the same here also. Regards Zoltan

[@williamgravatt6160]

yeah if you look at the test drive when he talks about rear view visibility, it shows the 3rd row seat belts properly put away. Im assuming he does some the issues for 'entertainment value' but it does really detract from the value of the review itself.

[@zoltancsibykilyen6030]

@williamgravatt6160 exactly

[@hammerinfall]

Meanwhile, hooks on the C pillars: Are we a yoke to you?

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@hammerinfallalso on D pillar as well.😅

[@hogthrob]

It was like that in the 7 seat Touran 20 years ago.

[@andreipop1]

The part with adjusting the temp and the screen being blank is in part due to apple, the requirement to certifiy Carplay is that no other app is allowed to display over Carplay when it's running, so it blanks the screen to get around it. Skoda should just use the mini screen in the dial and that's it. But that's why it blanks the screen when Carplay is on.

[@AndyH0dge]

Our Volvo doesn't use the whole screen for Carplay and that gets around this issue - why not just resize the Carplay window instead?

[@WetPig]

@@AndyH0dge VW is not known for good software. They probably were not able to do it in time for the launch :D

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

apple sucks , android is king , apple is always outdateda and slow

[@andreipop1]

​@@AndyH0dgefull screen experience. It's hard to work with apple, they have very strict requirements. I worked for a manufacturer on infotaiment and getting the software to play nice with each other has rough. Also Apple tests independently if you comply, they have cars or infotaiment setups for this.

[@cristid6567]

but...but... it works well on Skoda Superb!

[@Illyrian_Adventures]

in Croatia we call it Škodillac

[@PyjterChachar]

In Poland passat is passerati

[@Lemingtona-x5g]

in Africa BMW is Black Mans Wheels

[@Illyrian_Adventures]

@@PyjterChachar lol. Octavia is Balkans passat

[@snakeeyes9246]

🇭🇷

[@Illyrian_Adventures]

@Lemingtona-x5g brake my wallet

[@skyline3694]

PHYSICAL DIALS FOR THE AIRCON CONTROLS THANK YOU SKODA!!!

[@ghost21501]

Skoda needs to sell in the US. Their practical and cheap SUVs would do really well here.

[@disarchitected]

@@ghost21501 I always thought as a brand, Skoda made a lot more sense in the US than VW. More space for less cost, just like the Americans like it. I think Skoda and Audi would be the best volume sellers out there.

[@ghost21501]

@disarchitected Audi sells here. I own a Q5. I've owned an A4 previously. Great cars.

[@Susannah-o3g]

I prefer the typical video opening, which consists of the review itself without any brief previews.

[@willewiking98]

1:53 these buttons makes so much sense, hope more manufacurers take note. we need physical buttons but making them do more is a smart compromise

[@vzzzum]

I like the good old start of the video - no short clips, just starting the review.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Kodiaq 2025 car has 2 bhp more than the original Kodiaq.

[@cornrowali5513]

These clickbaity titles are really getting out of hand

[@alanwayte432]

What’s click bait here

[@mattsprokit6127]

One thing not mentioned, Kodiak has class leading towing capacity. My wife has the 4x4 version and it's rated to tow a little over 2 tonnes...

[@kevinwall795]

Excellent heating controls. These should be MANDATORY on all vehicles!

[@purwantiallan5089]

Also mandatory on Hommell Berlinette as well.

[@pragadoegito]

Why does everyone need an SUV? They are heavier and larger, making it harder to park and manoeuvre, and also worse in terms of fuel consumption.

[@youtubeisgettingworse]

Great visibility. Parking is much easier with an SUV rather then a hatchback for example. Trust me I drive a Tatra and even with large truck like this, the driving is much better then in a Smart.

[@Mriggs98]

No need ...

[@disarchitected]

I got an SUV for maximum space in the smallest footprint because I have a family Would have loved a compact MPV, but they don’t really sell them anymore in the UK. My Mrs loves the elevated sitting position of a SUV, you don’t have to drop down to sit, and the plentiful headroom creates a feeling of space. I looked at all options before settling for a family SUV around 4500mm long. An estate with the equivalent bootspace, would have been about 20cm longer. Not great for manouverability and parking in town.

[@gaiusiuliuscaesarvenividiv8393]

Octavia have no less space than any MQB base suv

[@ujjvallal9909]

The diesel version solves the economy problem

[@Frydee123]

9:10 Those seat belts are capable of detaching from the lower attachment point and retract into the ceiling, just like the rear middle seatbelt on some cars; actually it seems like you've figured it out at 13:50 so idk why you left all that in the video in the first place

[@purwantiallan5089]

The front seats also.

[@sssssneaker]

I actually changed the washer fluid bottle cap on my VW with the Skoda one thinking it was a really good idea but absolutely agree with Mat, it's not big enough 😂

[@RMG-Official]

We need more OFFROAD videos!!

[@ItzJupiter]

Damn, it looks lovely in that colour.

[@Lemingtona-x5g]

basic af

[@youaremopped]

That's the smallest "large vanity mirror" I've ever seen, Matt. 😂

[@weaponizer4444]

It looks better than Audi Q to me

[@mariothepudzilla4794]

9:50 simple clever by Skoda

[@zappybazinga8124]

It’s a good car but I resent they’ve made it bigger just for extra boot space. I doubt very many need 840L or 900L and would rather they’d used the extra wheelbase to give us more space in the back to be honest. And as Matt says a proper third seat in the back. It’s a good car if you can get over how much it costs - though comparatively superb value.

[@AOI1601]

9:44 skoda's simply cleverness is shown here through matt

[@MAGgamerz]

Is it just me or does this car look like a mixture of Audi and bmw

[@krane15]

All carmakers copy from each other.

[@zovslavsforever]

the two prev versions looked soo much better

[@sbstn110]

Just 1 previous generation of Kodiaq existed. So which is the other one? 😅

[@henryh3910]

The previous one looked so much better on the outside

[@I_am_Jesus_though]

If I had the money I think I'd get the facelifted Kia Sorrento, looks more premium inside and 7 freaking years warranty

[@sakethmaddipati1607]

please review the maybach 62 s

[@yourtubisfilled7164]

It's a shame all those car manufacturers cheat nowadays with built-in Mat Watson detection: if a single loud person has sat on at least 4 seats within 5 minutes and tapped and/or fondled a minimum of 10 surfaces, Mat Watson is detected and the door bins will inflate themselves, extra cup holders are unlocked and the fake exhausts get retracted.

[@chetanrai2412]

Absolute Boss Content. No nonsense click baiting car reviews. Love it.. keep up the good work buddy

[@PavelKostromitinov]

The only thing remaining is for VAG group to start making AWD PHEV cars.

[@TheModManu]

Rear seatbelts Seem sorted in the driving bit

[@JDogg679]

The Carplay issue is in general the same for all cars. I had 2 cars (golf 7.5, 208 2021) that completely hide the carplay when a system prompt was shown. Android Auto did not have the same issue (it was still in the background).

[@dakshpathak6285]

Looks super clean❤

[@Turbotidegamer-l8o]

i don't think it's perfect

[@aymanshaheen32]

You have a big family ?

[@UltraJaff]

Far from it

[@TommyPickIes]

Everything at a price

[@ounkeonorseng7780]

Me too

[@Lemingtona-x5g]

its rip off lol

[@zkilerex9661]

This video was expected i saw this car in the other video

[@zimcarreviews8941]

When they raced the old bmw,merc and audi😂

[@zkilerex9661]

@zimcarreviews8941 are u stupid

[@karanpandey1349]

You know what, it almost feels like a crime to see Matt not reviewing the top variant of the Kodiaq. It looks and feels way better than this varaint. It was the same situation with the Superb review as well. 😕

[@krisp3128]

The rear seatbelts unplug and roll up in the rooftop anker point.

[@zimcarreviews8941]

The daytime running lights "don't" look like a volvo at all😂

[@tahahussian-jc2cn]

for the boot cover you undo the very back seat belts all the way

[@coldworld5]

Way too expensive. These midlevel car companies are desperately trying to price themselves along with the three German brands and it makes people reluctant to buy.

[@tkohout87]

Still cheaper than 7 seater vw 😂

[@malikmirag]

Finally 🤩 all I want is Matt's Kodiaq review 🎉

[@m4z805]

Refreshed previous gen looked much better. Had they did a small size tweak plus added this new interior, it would be much better.

[@Jakes_Cars]

I have absolutely no interest in this car..I’m just here for Mat’s entertaining reviews 😎

[@juliusmabanga3849]

Really love the interior design, better looking than the tiguan

[@saadayahgbolo60]

Family life is Kodiaq life!

[@hamzahnorazmi5380]

There is a place in Malaysia called kodiang.

[@truecamvidea5881]

Warning: If you order 3 rows of seats, your towing capacity lowers from like 2200/2500 kg to only 1700 kg!

[@davidsentanu7836]

Looks really handsome in black because it somewhat hides the double-story headlights a littlr bit. Not a fan of that design trend.

[@Olifantenstaart]

Škodas combi/estate/wagon models are so superior to this SUV design. Safer, more fuel efficient, bigger trunk, generally more affordable. “But everyone has an SUV so I need one”.

[@someone414]

Hey Carwow , my father wants to buy a 7 seater so I told him to buy the new santa fe but honestly we don't need a 7seater you can buy an entry level luxury vehicle like a 2series or the x1 which is exactly the same price as the Santa fe here in india . What should we do?

[@somerandomfella]

Please review SUVs that we can all afford like the Urus Performante 🙏

[@exempli646]

Thanks for speaking on behalf of the Commonwealth. Thank you sir

[@fandomuniverse]

Perfect? ❎ Practical? ☑️

[@deathcrashtest64]

These are the new police cars for Northern Ireland all of which are armoured £130k each and all of them are the 2 litre diesel with 4x4. It's replacing the very much Superb, Skoda Superb. Which has been in fleets since 2016.

[@TheRisto2]

It's basically a Wolksvagen and with all that that entails. Sub par longevity and reliability. Gone are the days when they made reliabel cars that were simpel to maintain. They got the same German sicknesses as Audi, BMW and Mercedes but at half the price.

[@AB-qh2nc]

All these car reviewer, yes, including mr. Matt, always say Skoda's new car is the best ever in the history of ever, yet non of them owns one.

[@fandomuniverse]

There are like 7 different color options. Mercedes and BMW only has black and white 😅

[@wilbeugre]

I often wonder how manufacturers managed to fit three individual seats in the back of the 2000s' cars (like the Citroën Xsara Picasso)... but not anymore🤔🤷‍♂️

[@idek_man007]

Where’s the M5 review? Everyone posted a review but not you guys…

[@x3merx3mer]

5008 seems like a better one to me 🤔

[@PhilomenaMerritt-e5e]

Been subscribed to your channel for ages, keep it up!

[@backdoorbursta2866]

You only joined KZbin 1 month ago 😂😂😂

[@Hate---Love]

Bots xD

[@Chameleonit]

If skoda is VW’s sibling then I assume by switching ignition off and pulling down screen wipers control leaver once you can set wipers into service position.

[@gregft1979]

Is it a joke? You just need to put the belt knuckles back up in their roof pocket! 😂

[@tamuonachirisa4830]

Question. Does everyone here come to learn about new cars, or to hear what Matt has to say about new cars?

[@djordjezivkovic1245]

There is a mirracle called rubber foot mat and rubber boot mat.

[@krane15]

We need to stop calling these mid-sized SUVs 7-seaters. That back seat is so small its only good for very small children. They should call them 5 + 2 since those rear seats are really just jump seats.

[@glengarryglenross7127]

Mk 3 octavia pre fl still the best

[@EnglishTeachersGlazingOver]

Cannot wait to get my hands one of these!

[@AlexanderAnayaZambrano]

I want to buy a Skoda Kodiaq, I really like this SUV, mmmm the 2.0 TDI - 190hp

[@del4189]

Those 3 dials for the climate control are great 👍 Windscreen wiper service postion on VAG cars used to be so simple, push the wiper stalk down after turning the car off, why change it 🤷‍♂

[@padraicgeraghty5609]

Wiper trick still works on my 23 A7.

[@kyatamguna]

The Apple CarPlay or Android Auto screen going blank when using the Smart Dials was indeed an issue observed and reported by journalists during the media drives for the Kodiaq and Superb but was promplty fixed by Skoda in a software update. This car must be running an older version.

[@cloudcata8300]

1.5L on a 7 seat SUV. Jesus Christ what a stupid time we live in.

[@Nerramus]

Peugeots from 00's and 10's also have wiper service position but you just have to move wiper control lever inwards. VAG just overcomplicating things as always.

[@Miftaur_Yamin_Jamil]

Hey Mat! I'm from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and I'm a big fan of you. I have been following you for the last 2.5 years. Mat it's my humble request. Please review Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 and take it for an extreme off-road.

[@veritasman]

Mat, you mission a point, You see, people buying this type of vehicle do not drive alone very often... So, can you give us how it feels driving it in normal conditions: 4adults, boot loaded...

[@sakthiprasad2530]

Am I the only one who thinks this looks like an overgrown kushaq?

[@crazyshev36]

@mat watson, As a valet driver for an airport, i watch these videos to familiar myself on how to operate these vehicles... sometimes the information on how to change simple stuff like volume and climate is so helpful, keep it up, and remember us valet drivers and how easy it is for anyone to get in and work them!

[@user.xrxs.3p8nubro]

Never knew anyone who buys a Shkoda

[@ravenguard1495]

Why car nowadays are ridiculously underpowered in the base engine? I can imagine that if you go in the mountains with 7 passengers and some luggages that petrol engine will be borderline dangerous

[@sibtainali1033]

Add a partition in the front geill and its a beamer

[@handznet]

Ipad stock on the dash is sadly awful, I thought companies finally learned how to make them part of the car rather than look like they are forced in.

[@gbjwal1]

How the hell can you scan the QR codes on the screen when you’re already watching the video on your phone….

[@andyK1878]

Is the first ever Carwow video when you don’t mention the cost of the car being reviewed?

[@Harpreet06]

Front end looks good, just needs better alloys. Backend doesn't look good.

[@robgaskell2391]

Skoda fanboi here, i detest the new light bar on the back

[@BN-fi9wi]

BMW designers are punching the air right now

[@Ray-Thomas]

let's add a lightbar and call it a day lmaao

[@HBK90]

Loving the BMW SUV! Good review Mat

[@artinotsoparty]

Who actually wants those 3rd row seats?! Only children can fit there without much problems and in case of an accident where someone rear ends you, your kids end up in a more uncofortable position then Mat did.

[@sambhatti805]

My cousin has a wife and 4 kids, he likes SUVs. So, to answer your question, people with 4 or 5 kids.

[@vadimu.2027]

9:45 What Matt Watson's neighboors need to put up with every day

[@TheFreakonhell]

They spent too much time making the exterior look great, while the interior could've used some more working hours... Superb is much better!

[@WarisShah-k4e]

It would be nuce to see a Mutsubishi Lancer Evo on the drag strip. Like the 9th or 10th generation with the top horse power trim. :)

the previous model looks much better than this

[@dackaraba4531]

Always the best videos 👍

[@thethunderstorm6880]

Matt, please review the new enyaq

[@teanau11]

Still half glovebox for 🇬🇧?😂 Perfect? 5/10

[@NoloveEnt-yz1vj]

We need a porche teycan turbo s vs a bmw m4 cs vs a nissmo