New Skoda Kodiaq unveiled for 2021
Skoda Kodiaq SUV gets a facelift and a new petrol-powered hot vRS model
- Features updated exterior styling
- Sporty vRS gets new 242bhp petrol engine
- Goes on sale this summer with prices expected to start from £27,000
The Skoda Kodiaq SUV has been given a midlife facelift for 2021. It’s the first time the Kodiaq has been updated since it was launched four years ago, with the new car getting refreshed styling, the latest technology and a new petrol-powered vRS model.
The updates to the Kodiaq will help keep it competitive against rival SUV models like the Peugeot 5008, Kia Sorento, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the SEAT Tarraco. The new car will go on sale in July, with prices expected to start from around £27,000.
2021 Skoda Kodiaq: design
The Kodiaq’s styling changes give it a sharper look, with a majority of the changes focusing on the front of the car. It gets a larger hexagonal front grille design, a new front bumper and a flatter bonnet. Other changes include a slimmer pair of standard LED headlights. Buyers can upgrade these to matrix LED versions, which are available for the flagship trim levels.
The car’s side profile remains unchanged, with changes to the rear end limited to a new set of LED tail lights featuring Skoda’s crystalline lens pattern, as seen on the latest Octavia and Superb. SE models upwards get dynamic scrolling indicators as standard. Buyers can pick from several new alloy wheel designs, ranging from 17 to 20 inches in size.
Interior and trim levels
The interior of the Kodiaq has received several minor updates including a new steering wheel design that can be specced in either a two or three-spoke design. Elsewhere, the 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital dial cluster remain unchanged, with all versions getting sat nav, voice control and smartphone connectivity as standard.
Skoda has added a few additional interior trim and seat stitching colour options and an updated ambient interior lighting system. Other additions include new heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function; these are standard on the flagship L&K model. The optional Canton premium stereo system now has ten speakers as opposed to the eight-speaker system in the old car.
When the new Kodiaq is launched this summer, it will be available in S, SE, SEL and Sportline trim. The luxurious L&K spec and hot vRS version will be offered as flagship models.
Engines
The Kodiaq’s main engine range remains unchanged, so you’ll get a choice of two ‘TSI’ petrol engines and two ‘TDI’ diesel engines. Kicking off the range will be a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with on-demand cylinder shutdown, front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. The other petrol is a 187bhp 2.0-litre engine with four-wheel drive and a DSG automatic gearbox, while both diesels are 2.0-litre units and offer either 148 or 197bhp with the more powerful unit getting four-wheel drive as standard.
According to our sister site Auto Express, Skoda has no firm plans to add a plug-in hybrid of the Kodiaq to the lineup. This is despite the introduction of PHEV versions of both the Octavia and Superb, which use the VW Group’s 1.4-litre petrol/electric powertrain.
Skoda Kodiaq vRS
After it's demise late last year, the sporty Skoda Kodiaq vRS has been reintroduced to the range, albeit with a different engine. It was previously fitted with a twin-turbo 237bhp diesel engine; the new model has a 2.0-litre petrol with 242bhp. This engine is shared with a number of VW Group models including the latest Golf GTI. No performance figures have been released but Skoda has confirmed the switch to petrol power has made the new vRS 60kg lighter than the old one.
Read our guides to the best SUVs and best family SUVs to see where the Kodiaq features in these lists.
