2025 Skoda Kodiaq review

The Skoda Kodiaq has always marched to the beat of its own drum in Australia. Whereas rivalling seven-seat SUVs have mostly gone bigger and heavier with each generation, adopting new powertrains and a healthy uptick in price, the unassuming Czech SUV has stuck to a successful formula during its eight-year life cycle. 

For the second-generation Kodiaq, Skoda has stuck to a tried-and-true recipe. There’s an incremental extension in exterior length and height, more safety, more technology and equipment. Yet, the same MQB architecture underpins it, while the enduring EA888 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine remains as the solitary option in Australia – for now. 

No surprise, then, that the updated Kodiaq looks and feels much the same as its predecessor, which is no bad thing. 

How much does the Skoda Kodiaq cost? 

The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq range opens at $54,990 plus on-road costs, but at the time of writing, is being launched at an introductory offer of $56,990 drive away. 

That price marks a circa $1700 increase over the model it replaces, though Skoda Australia point out the new model packs in an additional $5700 worth of equipment. 

In any case, there are three variants of the Skoda Kodiaq to choose from: the entry Kodiaq Select ($54,990 plus ORCs), the mid-level Kodiaq Sportline ($58,990 plus ORCs) and the flagship (for now) Kodiaq Launch Edition ($63,490 plus ORCs). 

The Launch Edition will eventually be replaced by the sportier Kodiaq RS, which is slated for local arrival in September and is yet to be priced. 

The Kodiaq stacks up pretty competitively against rivals. There’s the excellent new Hyundai Santa Fe (from $53,000 plus ORCs), the evergreen Kia Sorento (from $50,800 plus ORCs), the volume-selling Toyota Kluger (from $60,920 plus ORCs) and the Mazda CX-80 (from $55,200 plus ORCs) all hovering around the same price. 

As is the case with some of those rivals, Skoda customers can option up the Kodiaq as they please. The Select model can be had with a sunroof ($1500) or larger 20-inch alloy wheels ($700), the Sportline can be fitted with the sunroof or an Ultimate Pack ($4000, details below). 

What is the Skoda Kodiaq like inside?  

In a word, clever. 

The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq builds on the wares of its first-generation predecessor, offering vastly improved materials and presentation, as well as marginally more passenger space from the bleachers. 

Even in base spec, the Kodiaq offers a sound layout replete with trim and features that justify the purchase price. 

The seats – particularly on entry-level cars – feel comfortable and offer adequate support on longer journeys, outward vision is adequate, and there’s a level of detail that’s missing from competitors. 

The latter trait extends to the quirky add-ons we’ve become accustomed to from Skoda: the umbrella in door, the waste bins, the incidental storage – not to mention the front-seat mounted phone holders and door shades. It’s extremely amenable to everyday life. 

Second-row space is well considered, accessed via large door openings, and passengers have access to air vents, charging points and incidental storage. 

The third row, however, is more vexing. Access into the bleachers is via a simple tilt-and-slide function of the second row (with no option to tumble the seat forward to create a walkway).  

Once in the back row, even with the Kodiaq’s extension in exterior length, space is at a premium. In truth, there’s barely enough room for a couple of kids. Moreover, the third row isn’t serviced by dedicated air vents or top tether child seat points like the second row. But that said, the curtain airbags do extend right to the rear of the car, which is a win. 

It means the Kodiaq is best described as a 5+2 layout: good enough for the odd short trip, but not a devoted big family chariot. This, too, is a blessing on-road, as we discovered (see below also). 

Where the Kodiaq does hold its own is in cargo space. At a claimed 794 litres, the boot area offers a big opening (via electric tailgate access) and a flat floor space complete with baggage hooks, a 12-volt outlet, luggage protection blind and nifty storage solutions. 

Moving onto infotainment, which is another strong point. 

Whereas other Volkswagen Group models have grappled with digitised buttons – or haptic buttons, in corporate speak – the Kodiaq has managed to skip them altogether. The first-generation Kodiaq pre-dated the trend, while the second-generation arrives after VW did a complete about-face on the idea. 

The resulting functionality and ease of navigating the Kodiaq’s brace of screens – a 13-inch centre touchscreen and a separate 10-inch digital instrument cluster – is one of the real interior boons. 

Furthermore, the centre fascia offers excellent navigation of key climate controls and drive modes, employing ‘smart dials’ that cleverly toggle between a choice of four features. And finally, we found the optional head-up display clear and concise in its layout, helping streamline the drive process. 

What equipment does the Skoda Kodiaq come with? 

The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq comes fairly well loaded with kit and represents decent value for money. But there are a couple of caveats. 

First off, base models get 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-appointed upholstery and metallic paint (Velvet Red premium metallic a $770 option). 

There’s the signature Skoda-isms, too (marketing aside, they are very convenient): waste bins in the front door pockets, an umbrella in the driver’s door, rear window shades, and cup holders in the front and centre arm rests. 

On the infotainment front the Skoda Kodiaq upgrades to a 13-inch centre touchscreen display (up from 10-inch in its predecessor), matched by a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment suite also includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio, a 15-watt wireless phone charging pad with integrated fan ventilation (to save your phone overheating), plus a nine-speaker audio system. Charging is handled via two USB-C ports up front, and two in the rear. 

That said, there are some missing items from the Skoda Kodiaq’s repertoire, especially at base and Sportline levels. Chief among them is the lack of an overhead camera and hands-free opening – items both listed under the $4000 Ultimate Pack. 

Said pack also includes dynamic chassis control (DCC – adaptive dampers), a Canton audio system, head-up display, heated rear outboard seats, intelligent parking assistance, progressive steering and descent control. 

The Kodiaq is backed by a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty in Australia, and is covered under a guaranteed future value scheme. 

Servicing intervals are set at every 12 months or 15,000km. A seven-year service pack will set buyers back $4400, with 12 months of inclusive roadside assistance each time you service through the Skoda dealer network. 

How safe is the Skoda Kodiaq? 

The Skoda Kodiaq carries a five-star ANCAP safety rating under the most stringent 2025 protocols, which is good news. 

Even better, however, the surfeit of safety systems have been thoughtfully tuned, and do not detract from the driving experience. 

Standard safety kit includes nine airbags, front assistance, turn assistance, crossroad assistance, adaptive cruise control, lane assistance, travel assistance, traffic sign recognition, rear-cross traffic alert, exit warning and driver attention monitoring. 

Moreover, there’s a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors as standard. The caveat is the base car doesn’t offer an overhead camera as standard. 

What powers the Skoda Kodiaq? 

The Volkswagen’s enduring EA888 engine does duty once again under the bonnet of the Skoda Kodiaq range. 

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder outputs 140kW/320Nm, shuffling drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 0 to 100km/h officially takes 7.9 seconds, while fuel consumption is rated at 9.2L/100km. 

The same basic engine will occupy the engine bay of the upcoming Skoda Kodiaq RS, albeit in a feistier tune. That car is due in Australian showrooms from September. 

Further afield, Skoda is said to have green-lit a plug-in hybrid version of the Kodiaq for Australia, a move which could redefine the SUV’s capabilities. Don’t be surprised if we see a regular series hybrid – ala Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage – down the line, too. 

The Skoda Kodiaq rides on MacPherson strut suspension up front, and a multi-element axle with torsion stabiliser at the rear. Whereas the base car offers passive dampers, Sportline models fitted with the optional $4000 Ultimate Package get adaptive dampers. 

What is the Skoda Kodiaq like to drive? 

The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq feels much like its predecessor, and even the per-facelift version before that. 

There’s a real familiarity with the way this seven-seater goes about its business: nippy around town, a basic ease of use in tight situations and during parking, yet lacking the vault-like characteristics of a larger dedicated seven-seater on the open road. 

There’s a natural sportiness to the controls, which lends it a point of difference from other seven seaters. The steering is light while the car is moving slowly and takes on more heft with speed. The ride errs on the firm side of the ledger, but mostly avoids the tendency to crash or jar. 

There’s no issue familiarising yourself with the Kodiaq’s 4758mm long footprint on road. There’s decent outward vision and the driving position cultivates strong feeling and feedback for the driver, especially from the comfort of the base seats. 

Conversely, the SUV’s light-footed qualities mean it is afflicted more by open-road niggles than other seven-seat rivals. Wallowing bumps aren’t as easily straddled on its smaller footprint, while harsher bumps will occasionally thud through the cabin. 

Our biggest complaint is around the persistent level of road and wind noise. There was little reprieve covering coarse-chip country roads in Victoria, an issue exacerbated by some minor squeaks and rattles from inside the cabin. 

Likewise, the EA888 powertrain is very familiar in its role. Aside from an occasional tendency to lurch or hesitate from a standstill – a symptom of the DSG gearbox and some turbo lag – the 2.0-litre percolates readily and confidently shifts through its ratios up to highway speeds.  

The Kodiaq’s circa 1900kg kerb mass – marginally heavier than before – becomes apparent under harder acceleration. There’s a tendency for the driveline to feel a little languid around the middle of the rev range, especially in situations including quick overtakes. You may well question the relevance of this in a seven-seat SUV, but that’s the point: we notice these traits with two people on board, let alone a big family with all its luggage. 

In any case, the 2.0-litre happily sits below 2000rpm at highway speeds and returns decent real-world efficiency. On a circa 300km stint of driving mostly open roads, we managed 8.0L/100km. 

The NRMA’s take on the Skoda Kodiaq 

For all the marketing rhetoric around its cleverness, the Skoda Kodiaq does exactly what it says on the box. It’s functional, it’s approachable and it offers a different take on the seven-seat brief – albeit it as a slightly compromised 5+2 format. 

The latest generation takes a tangible leap forward in cabin fit-out and materials, plus there’s something endearing about its similarity to previous models. 

The second-generation Kodiaq is an evolution of the breed, one that will remain relevant for some time yet – especially if Skoda can get its hands on some hybrid options. 

What we liked 

• Interior revamp offers a premium finish  
• On-board tech is easy to use and navigate, and the safety suite doesn’t detract from drive 
• Strong after-sales credentials and warranty 

What could be better? 

• 2.0-litre petrol engine occasionally lacks oomph due to heavier kerb weight 
• No ISOFIX attachment points in the bleachers, no air vents and minimal space 
• Suffers from persistent road noise and interior rattles