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The Kodiaq RS is no longer the diesel-powered bear it once was.
- SKODA KODIAQ RS
- Base price: $79,990 (RightCar Clean Car Program Estimated Cost/Discount: Neutral)
- Powertrain and Economy: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, 180 kW/370 Nm, 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, 4WD, combined economy 8.3 l/100 km, CO2 190 g/km (source: RightCar).
- Vital Statistics: 4699 mm long, 2087 mm wide, 1685 mm high, 2791 mm wheelbase, 270 liter boot space (third row up), 20-inch alloy wheels.
- Safety: Five stars (Source: ANCAP)
- We love: New engine a nice power bump, always been an attractive thing, several improvements in quality of life
- We don’t like: New engine a drop in torque, emissions are slightly higher, is there a need for a performance-oriented seven-seater?
Skoda has given the Kodiaq RS a midlife update, consisting of some basic tweaks like more LEDs and a slightly different face, as well as a new engine, for better or for worse.
OUTSIDE
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The grille is slightly different this time, as is what lies behind it.
It still looks like a Kodiaq, with a slightly different grille and a smoother nose, while the main headlight clusters are now LEDs. In fact, there are now LEDs everywhere. The lower fog lamps are also slightly smaller.
READ MORE:
* Road test: Skoda Kodiaq RS
* Our five favorite Volkswagen Group ‘MQB’ seven-seat SUVs
* The performance SUV that helps the kids snooze
More notable are the wheels, which have aerodynamic covers that help reduce drag and improve fuel economy. They are a little tacky, but the black bits are removable for a more conventional look.
INSIDE
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The digital dashboard is fresh for 2022.
The cabin now has minor updates to trim, stitching and mood lighting, but is generally the same as before. Well, apart from the new 10.25-inch digital dashboard. There’s also a 9.2-inch infotainment screen, along with a nine-speaker Canton sound system, wireless phone charging and mirroring, and heated/ventilated/massage Alcantara carbon-effect sports seats in the front.
And just like before, it’s all very nice. The seats are comfortable and supportive, there’s heaps of room for rear passengers (even in that third row) and the new digital dashboard is great.
UNDER THE HOOD
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The old Kodiaq RS was interesting because it was a performance diesel SUV, but not anymore.
The biggest change is the engine. Current no longer comes from a 2.0-litre diesel engine – instead, Skoda has dropped the proven 2.0-litre petrol engine, the same turbo unit found in the Octavia RS.
It produces 180 kW/370 Nm, an increase and decrease in those respective values compared to the old diesel unit, a change made out of necessity as Volkswagen has ditched most of its diesel engines.
Torque has dropped by 130Nm, which is painful for those who like the low shove and have things to lug around (or want to set lap times on the Nürburgring), but the power has increased by 4kW to try and compensate .
It’s not a bad drivetrain either, with an interesting fake noise that sounds a bit like an RS 3 (if you squeeze your ears) and snappy shifting from the seven-speed DSG.
ON THE ROAD
DAMIEN O’CARROLL
When they launched the original diesel Kodiaq RS in 2018, Skoda said it was the fastest 7-seat SUV at the Nürburgring. It was. But it was also the only…
The Kodiaq has always been a good thing, even with that RS badge, and this one is no different. Volkswagen Dynamic Chassis Control keeps everything level more than you’d expect, allowing for some pretty high cornering speeds, and that more powerful engine means it’ll hit 100mph sooner too, in 6.6 seconds. It’s hard not to miss that couple though…
The steering is nice and precise, weighs in heavier in Sport mode, but not too much, and is still easy enough to turn for city riding.
Switching riding modes also affects the suspension, which never gets too rough. The 4×4 system is decent too, although I didn’t get a chance to really test the off-road capabilities.
It’s a smooth ride, aside from the fake engine noise that pops up in Sport, and there’s a good amount of active safety on board too, including the latest Travel Assist technology (VW speak for active lane-keeping on the highway).
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Fear my offroad skills.
JUDGMENT
If you’re looking for a seven-seater with a bit of oomph and don’t want to pay more than $80,000, the top-of-the-line Kodiaq is hard to pass up. Even if it’s only $10 below that budget threshold.
But do you really need a punchy seven-seater? Skoda sold nearly 100 units of the Kodaiq RS in 2022 through the end of June, so the demand is there, but it’s hard not to ignore the rest of the range. Can’t live without that diesel power? The Sportline TDI is still there for $5k less than the RS, or you could drop to the 132kW/320Nm style and lose a little output but save $15k.