The ŠKODA Kodiaq mid-size crossover has only been in production globally for three years, but during this time it has become a growth driver for the Czech brand, earned the title of best family car from Top Gear magazine, and earned a Russian residence permit. The online portal “Southern Automobile” once again decided to enjoy the pleasure of driving the largest model in the ŠKODA lineup.
Consolidating success
While three years have passed since the Kodiaq’s appearance on the global market, almost a year has passed since the launch of local production of the model in Nizhny Novgorod, and during this time the first family SUV has confidently taken its place in the Russian market. The model has become more affordable and has acquired a wide range of engines and trim levels, thanks to which even more Russian families have come to appreciate it. Excellent off-road performance, a high level of safety, and modern equipment allow the Kodiaq to steadily gain popularity among Russian buyers. With the launch of local assembly, sales not only increased, but skyrocketed.
For comparison, 251 Kodiaq crossovers were sold in Russia in January 2018, and by January 2019, 1,292 vehicles had been sold—a more than fivefold increase. So, what explains such immense popularity? It’s all about local assembly. The first Kodiaqs arrived in Russia from the Czech plant in Mladá Boleslav, and import duties made the car too expensive for Russians. However, by moving the Kodiaq to the Nizhny Novgorod assembly line, the price for Russian buyers was reduced by approximately half a million rubles compared to a similarly equipped Czech-assembled model. Russian assembly is what allowed ŠKODA to significantly increase Kodiaq sales in our market. Stereotypes about Russian assembly being inferior to European ones are untrue. Cars undergo strict quality control at every stage of production, and the standards are absolutely identical for both the Czech Republic and Russia.
Practically a minivan
The car is solid, the kind you’d usually hear described as well-tailored and tightly stitched. ŠKODA cars grow and progress every year, in some places even outgrowing their parent brand, Volkswagen. In my opinion, the Kodiaq isn’t even a crossover, but a minivan with an off-road look, designed for long trips. A good driving position, a spacious interior, and a powerful two-liter engine make the kilometers fly by. Our version is a seven-seater—and while children will be most comfortable in the Kodiaq’s third row, the extra row of seats is a nice bonus. However, two petite girls won’t feel cramped in the folding seats either.
The interior’s ergonomics are designed around the driver and passenger, ensuring they’ll be comfortable on long journeys. The car is packed with nice touches, including multiple USB ports, door umbrellas, and a removable light in the trunk. Simply Clever features found in other ŠKODA models have also appeared on the Kodiaq. The multimedia system’s huge screen resembles a tablet, allowing you to control not only music but also set navigation routes and personalize the car. The overall interior architecture is reminiscent of that of the Czech brand’s flagship, the Superb. The ŠKODA Kodiaq’s interior is thought out down to the last detail: comfortable interior space, connectivity options, storage compartments, a spacious trunk, and child seat mounts. High-quality materials and impeccable workmanship are a true pleasure.
At your discretion. You can replace the standard fabric interior trim with a combination of fabric and leather, leather, or a combination of leather and Alcantara. The interior is finished with one of five decorative inlays. The ŠKODA KODIAQ’s trunk is the most spacious in its class. With two rows of seats, it holds 635 liters. The compartment is not only large, but also very practical: it has a regular shape, hooks for bags, and loops for elastic nets and other cargo securing systems. Under the trunk floor there is a spare tire on a full-size disk with two rows of seats or a spare tire in the seven-seater version, like ours.
Driving pleasure
I had the opportunity to drive Kodiaq in various trim levels many times on both European and Russian roads. One thing can be said – it is a solid family car with a strictly verified design, reliable units, a spacious interior and a roomy trunk. Once again, getting behind the wheel of Kodiaq, you feel like you are talking to an old trusted friend who will not let you down in a difficult life situation.
For today’s test drive, I got a car assembled in Nizhny Novgorod, in the Style trim level, with all-wheel drive and a two-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 180 horsepower. The combination of technical specifications and equipment makes this one of the best car options for a large family. The engine is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.
From the first few meters behind the wheel, you feel like you’re behind the wheel of a genuine European car, even though the crossover was assembled in Nizhny Novgorod. Handling is also excellent, typical of Škoda. The Kodiaq responds smoothly to even the slightest steering input, and is as easy to drive as the more compact Octavia or even the Rapid.
This crossover is large, but its dimensions are easily discernible thanks to good visibility, parking sensors, a rearview camera, and a blind spot monitoring system. It’s also stable on a straight line, requiring minimal and infrequent steering corrections. The electric power steering quickly applies the necessary force to the steering wheel, providing excellent feedback. The Kodiaq with a two-liter TSI gasoline engine is much more energetic than the diesel, producing 180 horsepower. But the Kodiaq isn’t designed for “pushing corners” or racing at traffic lights; it’s designed for comfortable travel.
Prices and trim levels
The domestically assembled Kodiaq crossover is available in three trim levels: Active, Ambition, and the top-of-the-line Style. Depending on the trim level and equipment, the car can be equipped with 1.4 TSI turbocharged gasoline engines producing 125 and 150 horsepower, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The car is also available with a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 150 horsepower. If this isn’t enough power, you can order a version with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 180 horsepower. ŠKODA also offers a special Hockey Edition for its Russian customers. The Russian-assembled Kodiaq starts at 1,454,000 rubles for the Active trim, while the top-of-the-line Style trim starts at 2,027,000 rubles. Even this is significantly cheaper than the Czech-made Kodiaq versions. Limited quantities of the Kodiaq Sportline, Scout and Laurin & Klement versions are supplied to Russia, but their cost is already approaching three million rubles, so even in the average Ambition configuration for 1,779,000 rubles, the Kodiaq is an excellent solution for your family.
ŠKODA AAA MOTORS CENTER
Rostov-on-Don, Teatralny Avenue, 60B/341
tel.: +7 (863) 305-00-00
www.aaamotors-skoda.ru
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