Skoda India has rejigged the Kodiaq lineup. The SUV's top-spec L&K variant is now priced at Rs 39.99 lakh (ex-showroom), down by Rs 2 lakh. Besides, the other two variants – the base-spec Style and the mid-spec Sportline – have been silently removed from the Czech brand's website, which indicates that these variants are no longer available for purchase. Other than that, the vehicle remains unchanged. Under the hood, the Skoda Kodiaq gets a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that produces 187bhp and 320Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic) transmission that sends power to all four wheels. The Kodiaq can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed time of 7.8 seconds and comes with six driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual, and Snow. Each of these modes alters the steering, engine and gearbox response.
Based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the Kodiaq is Skoda's first seven-seater SUV. It features 10-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, nine airbags as standard, electronic stability control (ESC), a 360-degree camera, and a cargo space of 270 litres. In the segment, the SUV rivals the likes of the Jeep Meridian, MG Gloster, Hyundai Tucson, and the Toyota Fortuner.
Upcoming Skoda Launches
Last month, Skoda confirmed it will bring its new sub-4m SUV in March 2025. The new Skoda Compact SUV was recently spied featuring wraparound LED tail lamps, a spoiler-mounted brake light, a shark-fin antenna, and faux roof rails. Besides the tweaked rear-end styling, we expect the vehicle to have a muscular bonnet, split LED headlamps, and smaller alloy wheels than the Kushaq's 16- and 17-inch units.
The new Skoda SUV will use the same 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, TSI petrol engine as the Kushaq and the Slavia. This made-in-India engine belts out 115bhp and 178Nm of peak torque. On offer will be a six-speed manual and a six-speed torque converter automatic gearbox.
However, you will see Skoda introduce its all-electric Enyaq iV in the Indian market earlier than the new Compact SUV – sometime in 2024. The new EV will mark the Czech brand's entry into the electric vehicle segment, and it will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s born-electric MEB platform that underpins the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Volkswagen ID.4 – which was revealed ahead of its likely India launch in FY2024-25.
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