Skoda Kodiaq 2024 - Is This Your Best Effort? (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

[@BigPapa-yn9oo]

I got a new Skoda Kodiaq 2024. It is a lovely car to drive and very comfy but the quality of plastics inside is bad and car rattles from doors and dashboard on uneven surfaces. Not so impressed.

[@toeinthewater28]

Real shame the Yeti and Roomster were pulled. Tim Rodie has done a review of the Yeti vs newer SUVs. It's made me consider one to replace my Mk1 Fabia estate (sailed through its MOT yet again!). Re the comment about dimensions, bring them on, Marek! I like to know how a car will fit (or not) in a parking space and whether it's worth spending all that on a Kodiak when I could get similar length in a Grand Tourneo Connect. Laura (UK)

[@ianstewart2723]

The only Skoda I liked was the Yeti and they stopped making that. Shame because it seems like Skoda is moving backwards. Honest Review as ever.

[@alwynwatkins1955]

Good, fair review.

[@kaypee1972]

I might be the only one here, but I actually like the design and it’s optional features: DCC plus massage seats, ventilated seats, … and I am also not a great fan of this trying to be funny and entertaining review

[@MarekDrivesENG]

What can I say? The way some brand new cars are made these days isn't funny either.

[@heindaddel2531]

05:50: Correction: With a third row the second row seats cannot be moved. Same goes for the back rest angle adjustment.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Are you sure? I'm looking at the footage of the 2022 facelift Kodiaq with 3 rows, and it has adjustable second row. Surely, it must be the same here, otherwise rear passengers wouldn't fit.

[@heindaddel2531]

@ Allow me to quote Škoda‘s 2024 price list: “Rear seat backrest 40:20:40 split folding, seats can be moved lengthways, adjustable backrest angle (not applicable if 3rd row of seats is selected)“ Imagine you would be able to rush the bench into the knees of the 3rd row passenger and get him/her claustrophobic feelings …😫

[@alexanderkhizha3624]

Thank you for the review! Have you had the chance to test the DSG in city driving? There’s a common belief that the transmission can be laggy and clunky, especially in traffic jams.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

It really doesn't matter. The computer cuts emissions any way possible.

[@kevinn1158]

I'm having flashbacks to when my kids were younger. Thanks buddy. With respect to the Kodiaq, isn't it reasonably priced relative to its competition?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

It offers the most space for the money, but it isn't necessarily cheap. So if you'd pit it against the VW Tiguan, the Kodiaq is more spacious, but costs about the same. In the previous generation it was even larger than the 7-seater Tiguan Allspace. Now the Tiguan Allspace is gone, and we're getting the Tayron, which seems to be a rebadged Kodiaq (TBC, when I see it in real life).

[@kevinn1158]

@ ahh yes the Allspace which is the NA Tiguan which won’t be called the Tayron because we never had the smaller Tiguan or the Kodiaq, so it will stay the Tiguan. Kids!!! Shut up back there I’m trying to drive!!!

[@asun468]

What about rattling noise inside cabin due to those open infotainment systems

[@GameWinner85]

still no news on Karooq? should be new model ........

[@MarekDrivesENG]

The facelift was 2 years ago, so give it 2 more years.

[@deniscb3244]

As for boot capacity, I suspect the current number number has come from magic performed by Prof. Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, because only a very great wizard would be able to expand 720 litres to 910 litres via a facelift.

[@kyriakosaronis5206]

FYI, the standard capacity is 745, but it can be expanded to 910 by moving forward up to 15 cm, the rear seats...

[@MrRaitzi]

More rugged SUVs needed in Europe. I hope VW brings the Scout here. Erev of that might be perfect for decaying road quality here.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Yeah, let's put more oversized and overweight cars on deteriorating roads. That will show 'em! 💪🤣

[@enricio]

🤔🔥. Diesel is in Holland off, unfortunately. The inner room would suit wonderfully. Probably the PHEV is less interesting for Poland, which I understand. As I recall the PHEV has a large electrical range with enough power. I'd go for the more powerful diesel if I could choose. But I cannot. In Holland one is enforced to take the PHEV (for enough power). 👏🙏

[@artpan4376]

Great review style. Very much like your honest reviews.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I appreciate that!

[@mazas60]

Yeah... But what would be better with physical buttons?

[@laupakhin]

I have a friend who had a 1st generation Kodiaq and it was a decent vehicle, but this new one hasn't really improved on anything. I wonder if it's related to recent Volkswagens also being quite mediocre? I've decided to hang on to my MPV until it dies because I haven't found anything practical or interesting enough to replace it with. By then maybe either the established players have got their act together or the Chinese manufacturers have fixed their current issues and proven themselves - and I know the Chinese market is still making sedans and MPVs.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I'll just copy what I wrote a few comments earlier: Development money is going into the bottomless pit of EVs. And judging by the half-arsed results so far, they'll need to pull even more funds from ICE car development. And yes, I'm sad to come to a realisation that our 2021 MINI Countryman is probably the last new car I'll own. I know there's nothing ICE that would be at least as good, and until driving ICE will be outlawed or made economically challenging in my use case scenario, I have no reason to switch.

[@andrisromanovskis9363]

A honest review, thanks! And I too miss Yeti. German (and Czech) car brands have hollowed out.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I saw a pre-facelift Yeti today (the one with round fog lights or high beams), and it still looks like a car I wouldn't mind driving. Not many of them around, as they were horrendously expensive for what they offered back in the day.

[@pavelk3404]

Previous generation (restyling) was much better than this one. Exterior design of current generation is 🤢

[@minniesaab7255]

👍👍👍

[@wielentschoten6904]

The first generation is better looking a bit higher big enough. Why should you buy the second generation?

[@svilen2006]

8:26 sounds too realistic 😂

[@altot223]

What if this you compare with other cars menu, are you think you will not dive same deep lavel?

[@davidmarshall5596]

MAREK your sense of humour makes uo for the crazy world of current automobiles 🚘 😂🎉

[@fuaterdogan5111]

It's really demoralizing to hear that something brand new has failed. Anyway, I always thought it was a bubble or something.

[@stewartmungin5166]

Superb/Kodiaq/Passat/Tiguan all got serious software bug affecting the cameras/safety systems. Took a long time for Skoda/VW to admit there was a problem. Rather random in its behaviour.

[@lpbrok]

I see only complaining posts that the dealerships have no resolution. Where did you see them admit? Are there any sign of this bug getting fixed?

[@artpan4376]

We liked Skoda for being Straight forward, no nonsense, good quality and most importantly democratically priced vehicles. Now with average specs price, it is in the territory of luxury German brands. What can I say?..,Guut luck Skoda.

[@lyubohar]

Yeah, only that this is not true, not even by a long shot. Equally specced Tiguan is about the same price, but it's hardly a "luxury German brand". And it's smaller. And Skoda have huge 10% discounts at least twice a year, and German luxury brands don't. So how is the Kodiaq in the territory of Audi Q5, for example? Just specced a Q5 with the same options as the Kodiaq I just ordered, and guess what - it ended up being 15K EUR more than the discounted Kodiaq (and still 10k more than the list price Kodiaq). And that's a gasoline Q5 with regular suspension against a PHEV Kodiaq with DCC.

[@artpan4376]

@lyubohar let me check...nope, still reading.. About the same spec Skoda Superb, about 50k EUR, the same as BMW 318i or Merc C180 or Audi A5. With the starting budget of about 50k EUR Skoda will not be on my mind.

[@lyubohar]

@@artpan4376 50k EUR is the top-spec L&K Superb with EVERYTHING, 4x4, leather, hi-end music and 280hp engine. For the same money you get the base 2.0i Xdrive 3 series with 184hp and NOTHING added. White color, the smallest wheels and cloth upholstery. I literally just created both in their respective configurators...

[@lyubohar]

@@artpan4376 Wrong again and so easy to check before writing nonsense...In fact let me check it for you right now in the official Skoda and BMW configurators: the top specced Laurent & Klement Superb is at 50k EUR (with starting budget for Superb at 35k!!! nowhere near the 50k you mention). So, L&K comes with 4x4, 280hp, leather, music, basically EVERYTHING for 50k. For the same money you get the base 2.0i xDrive 3 series with 184 hp. White color, smallest wheels, cloth upholstery and NOTHING added to the list.

[@artpan4376]

@@lyubohar Configuring in Belgium. -BMW 318i..2 ltr 156hp base price 42.9k. -Merc C180...1.5ltr 170+23hp base price 47.9k. -Audi A5 TFSI 110kw base price 40.9k. -Skoda Superb Limo. 1.5ltr TSI 150hp price Family 42.7k. Essence est 40.4k Prices are without bonus or reductions. If you add some options then the price eventually nears 50k in all cars.

[@Stimm002]

People keep bashing the vw group for the emissions scandal but since then nearly every large manufacturer has been caught doing the same. They were just unlucky enough to be first. Its abit disingenuous to harp on at VW at this point without saying the same for ford or Peugeot or anyone else for the most part. For example volvo, citroen and Jeep amoung others had cheated thier numbers far worse, but that never gets mentioned.

[@harveybirdman74]

Sadly, I find Skoda's new SUV's very generic. I was going to be a Skoda customer and buy a Yeti and then they stopped making them. So I bought a Subaru Crosstrek instead.

[@williamegler8771]

Did the person who formulated that paint color use the contents of their baby's diaper as inspiration?

[@dragosi8980]

I like it

[@hedydd2]

The front end styling of this is…. well…. yuk! The back and the wheels aren’t much better. Oh dear, what have they done!

[@timjenkins8538]

Looks great apart from the front. VAG always keep Skodas looking ugly so people won’t buy them over an Audi or VW. But hey, from inside you can’t see the ugliness so who cares

[@OnurKennethYumurtaci]

Andrew doesn't have heated seats and still thinks being a drummer in a bar band with not a single original thought in his mind at 43 years old is still "cool brah".

[@MarekDrivesENG]

But he fucks like a rabbit.

[@OnurKennethYumurtaci]

@@MarekDrivesENG Relationships are a range with (generally) normal distribution, just like cars and their features. I don't want a second gen MR2 with a massive turbo kit because it is a Toyota which means safe and reliable. I want it because I'll turbo lag myself into a tree backwards and be happy during my last breath. I still drive a Panda 4x4 (which I wrote comments on all those years ago in your review). I also know my worth, which is why I bought a motorcycle to satisfy my thrills and if my Panda looks at me sideways she's going in the junkyard.

[@Giorg189]

The vertical lines on the grill look very ugly. Overall the car is not classy but rather a big blob on the road, like american SUVs.

[@jondu-sud274]

I really wish car manufacturers would offer a basic spec 4x4 model without all of this gadgetary which just increase the price and complexity - for what ?

[@Acing86]

Thanks for yet another great review. Basically, heavy redesign. The first generation looked better in my opinion, but all of these SUV are a bit ugly and obviously overpriced...

[@Snowhite808]

we have company cars those too. Next to octavia scout they are better. But by a small margin. The most problematic thing I see with these cars is the mechanics is not ok. The wheel overall size combo with the huge body of the car is out of whack and combined with only sometimes working electronics it is a constant flow of problems in your everyday driving. It is funny how a 2024 golf with same stuff integrated - never had these issues in the week, that we got to use it. If the ride quality was superb (no pun intended) they would be excusable money pits. But like this- this is just sad.

[@a.a.8572]

I would take the Kia or Hyundai over the Skoda or Volkswagen every day. The koreans have better quality today and better warranty. VAG products is not what it was... And it does not getting better. Cheaper and cheaper made cars but the prices just rises and rises.

[@OnurKennethYumurtaci]

Even Ssangyong are still making honest-to goodness body on ladder frame pickups (despite being hideous but well equipped inside and out) with lower crash test scores because a pedestrian couldn't survive a massive 3 ton pickup smashing into them (as physics dictates, not legislation) and as if it's not the drivers' fault that the car isn't smart enough to not crash into jaywalkers.

[@AHarker100]

Good review. Are you going through a divorce?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

No, why? :)

[@jirivenhoda9620]

@@MarekDrivesENG that "Andrew" part sounded so real I was wondering about the same question :)

[@dalibormilic139]

1st generation looked like budget Range Rover this one looks just budget. Just wish same could be said about price.

[@alexanderdunning6586]

This is subjective, but the first never looked anything like a Range Rover. It did have a blocky appeal though.

[@paulgustafsson5168]

I liked the design of the previous generation, and was so sad when they rolled out this hideous beast. Same with the Superb - previous generation was class in a champagne glass, and the new one looking like an accountant's passat. What is happening, Škoda? :/

[@MarekDrivesENG]

They're pooling resources to put out something with as little changes as possible, and call it a new generation. Development money is going into the bottomless pit of EVs. And judging by the half-arsed results so far, they'll need to pull even more funds from ICE car development.

[@paulgustafsson5168]

@MarekDrivesENG Bloody sad.. but thanks for the insight!

[@AleksandarDinic-fx3dh]

Man do your job. Review cars without bullshits. You are not that funny and interesting. And every review from you is negative. Its just your impression. And its often very very wrong

[@jannovotny1180]

The trunk looks like a 550, man, at least measure it accurately. If this trunk looks like 500, the Volvo XC60 has 200. I don't want to defend Škoda here, but some of your statements are downright subjectively stupid.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I wish you listened as well, as you are at making unsubstantiated comments. I know what I said, because it's in the script: "What you see here is 550-600 liters, depending on the floor position, and with the seats pushed forward we may be close to the 720 liters reported back in 2017." Of course I measured it!

[@jannovotny1180]

@@MarekDrivesENG Every manufacturer lies about the size of the trunk. The point is that you're criticizing the luggage space, which is actually well above average for its class. I would rather expect a comparison with the competition. If you see 550-600, then you are simply blind or you want to criticize something that is actually one of the biggest advantages of this car.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I've seen underreporting too (on the Lexus ES, if memory serves me right), and I commented on it as well. While 600 may be one of the biggest in its class, my job is to tell you it's not 720.

[@lyubohar]

Yeah, "electronics acting up" in a 10-year old car back in the day meant leaving it at the service for days hoping they would finally figure out what's wrong and stop replacing part after part. Nowadays "electronics acting up" usually means a 5-minute software update. So no, I don't miss those days :) Fair and objective review otherwise.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Speaking of software updates, I've had a lot of comments from Kodiaq owners under the Polish version of this review. Apparently their cars received numerous updates (dealer installed, rather than OTA), and they are still issues. Unfortunately Volkswagen Group is nowhere close to Tesla, as far as software is concerned.

[@lyubohar]

@MarekDrivesENG yeah, one of the reasons I usually wait at least a year after model launches before buying a car

[@takuan650]

I do enjoy Your reviews but this vehicle is simply too ugly to endure longer than a minute ! Car design in general makes my skin crawl these days. Simple, clean flowing lines ? Only for Porsche?

[@stevewhitmill2037]

Way too expensive.

[@autowiewiorka771]

😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@peterproctor-noone382]

2mm higher! Really. Why do motoring journalists insist on giving these sort of statistics, something not even visible to the human eye. A few centimetres longer, again unlikely to be visible to the human eye. Just stop this nonsense. Peter Proctor-Noone

[@tudoriusmaximus]

Looks and seems horrible. No thanks

[@youtubegrim5769]

get a toyota instead