Welcome to our comprehensive deep dive into the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq review. If you are in the market for a versatile and family-friendly SUV, the latest iteration of the Skoda Kodiaq is definitely worth your attention. This second-generation model arrives larger, more spacious, and packed with an array of technological advancements designed to cater to the modern family’s needs. We’ll cover everything from its increased dimensions and practical interior to its driving dynamics, safety features, and value proposition.
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq positions itself firmly in the competitive medium to large SUV segment, ready to challenge established rivals like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. While it brings significant improvements in practicality and technology, it also presents a few trade-offs, particularly concerning its exterior styling and overall cabin refinement. Let’s explore what makes the New Kodiaq SUV a compelling choice for 2025 and beyond.
Main Highlights: Skoda Kodiaq 2025 Review
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq builds on its predecessor’s success by offering an enhanced package for families. It’s now longer, boasting a more generous boot space, which significantly boosts its appeal for those needing extra room. This evolution makes it a stronger contender in the three-row SUV market, directly addressing the demands for increased versatility.
Key advancements include a focus on advanced safety technologies, ensuring peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike. The introduction of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option marks Skoda’s step further into electrification, providing a more eco-conscious choice for urban drivers. However, this innovative powertrain does come with a notable compromise: it’s only available in a five-seat configuration.
While the new model impresses with its practicality and tech, some aspects, like its revised exterior styling, might not appeal to everyone. Furthermore, feedback indicates that road noise can be a persistent issue, and the engine’s responsiveness under heavy loads could be improved. Despite these points, the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq generally advances the popular SUV formula, making it a strong option for discerning buyers.
What’s New in 2025?
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq truly steps up its game, most notably with its physical growth. The vehicle has been extended by 61mm in length, a seemingly modest figure that translates into a noticeable increase in interior volume and cargo capacity. This added length allows the New Kodiaq SUV to offer a more competitive cabin experience, especially for larger families.
One of the most practical benefits of this increased size is the expanded boot. You’ll find an additional 29 litres of luggage space, which is a significant improvement for grocery runs, holiday packing, or simply carrying sports equipment. This enhancement helps the Kodiaq stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the larger, dedicated three-row SUVs on the market, proving its commitment to family practicality.
Beyond dimensions, a major headline for 2025 is the introduction of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant. This marks a crucial step for Skoda, diversifying its powertrain options and catering to a growing demand for electrified vehicles. However, it’s vital to note that this environmentally friendly option is exclusively a five-seater, meaning families requiring the full seven-seat capacity will need to stick with the petrol or diesel versions.
The Kodiaq continues to impress with its clever interior packaging. The third row of seating, while still best suited for children, is practical and functional, ensuring that even with all seven seats in use, there’s still an impressive amount of luggage capacity – comparable to that of a regular hatchback. This intelligent design prioritizes usable space, a cornerstone of Skoda’s philosophy.
Design, Interior, and Comfort
The interior of the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq is a testament to modern, functional design. You’ll find a clean, uncluttered dashboard that integrates seamlessly with the digital displays and infotainment system. This minimalist approach creates an airy and inviting cabin environment, enhancing the overall driving and passenger experience. The thoughtful layout ensures that essential controls are within easy reach, making journeys more relaxing.
One of the Skoda Kodiaq features that truly stands out is its clever packaging. The seven-seat configuration, available on petrol and diesel models, remains a core strength. While the third row is undeniably more suitable for younger passengers, it’s designed to be genuinely usable for shorter trips, offering flexibility that many families will appreciate. Even with all seats deployed, the luggage capacity is remarkably good, setting it apart from some competitors.
When it comes to comfort, the Kodiaq generally delivers a pleasant ride. The suspension system is well-tuned to absorb most road imperfections, providing a smooth journey on well-maintained surfaces. However, some reviewers have noted that harsher bumps and coarse road surfaces can transmit more directly into the cabin, slightly affecting overall refinement. This is a minor point, but worth considering for those who prioritize absolute serenity on every drive.
Road and wind noise levels are also worth mentioning. While not excessive, they can be persistent, especially at highway speeds. This might detract slightly from the premium feel that Skoda aims for with the Kodiaq. Some early models have also seen interior squeaks or rattles noted by critics, which could further impact the perception of build quality. Despite these minor issues, the interior remains a comfortable and practical space for daily family life. You can read more about the driving experience and interior details at this detailed review of the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq.
Performance and Key Features
Under the bonnet, the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq largely relies on the familiar and proven 2.0-litre EA888 turbocharged engine, paired with a smooth DSG transmission. This powertrain is a workhorse, offering reliable performance for most driving scenarios. However, some drivers might notice a slight hesitation from a standstill, attributed to turbo lag, and a degree of mid-range sluggishness, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded with passengers or cargo.
Despite these minor power delivery quirks, the driving experience in the New Kodiaq SUV is generally confident and engaging. It offers a sporty feel to its controls, giving the driver a strong sense of connection to the road. The steering is light yet provides strong feedback, making manoeuvring in urban environments or on winding roads quite enjoyable. Even with its kerb weight approaching 1900 kg, the car manages to exhibit good composure, feeling well-planted without being overly bulky.
For those seeking a more eco-conscious option, the new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant provides an alternative powertrain. This model focuses on efficiency and lower emissions, making it ideal for city driving with its electric-only range. However, as mentioned earlier, this version sacrifices the third row of seats, accommodating only five occupants. This is an important consideration for families who absolutely need seven seats.
Fuel consumption for the petrol versions is around 9 L/100 km in urban driving conditions, which is fairly typical for an SUV of this size and weight. The Kodiaq also manages well on wet roads, maintaining excellent grip and stability, further enhancing driver confidence. The overall driving dynamics are refined, prioritizing comfort and stability over aggressive performance, aligning with its family-focused purpose. For a deeper dive into the performance aspects, you can check out reviews on Top Gear.
Technology and Safety
Safety is a paramount concern for family SUVs, and the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq delivers confidently in this regard. It has achieved a commendable five-star ANCAP safety rating, providing strong reassurance for prospective buyers. The vehicle comes equipped with an extensive suite of advanced safety features as standard across its range, making it one of the safest choices in its class.
Standard safety inclusions comprise autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, which actively helps prevent collisions. Adaptive cruise control makes long journeys less fatiguing by maintaining a set distance from the vehicle ahead. Lane keeping assist and traffic jam assist work together to keep the vehicle centred in its lane and manage stop-and-go traffic, greatly reducing driver stress.
Further enhancing driver awareness are blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which provide warnings about vehicles outside the driver’s direct line of sight. Parking is made easier with front and rear parking sensors and a clear reversing camera. These Skoda Kodiaq features underscore a commitment to comprehensive safety. However, a notable omission at this price point is the lack of a surround view camera system, which many rivals now offer for enhanced parking convenience and safety.
On the technology front, the interior is well-appointed with integrated digital displays for both the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. These screens offer crisp graphics and intuitive interfaces, supporting seamless connectivity and access to various vehicle functions. The infotainment features are modern and user-friendly, ensuring that occupants stay entertained and connected on the go. The PHEV variant further highlights Skoda’s technological push into electrification, offering a sophisticated powertrain management system.
Pricing and Variants
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq reflects its increased size, enhanced equipment levels, and technological advancements with a higher price point compared to its previous generation. This upward adjustment is a common trend in the automotive industry, where new models often come with added value that justifies a premium. Despite the increase, the Kodiaq aims to offer strong competitive value within its segment.
Positioned as a practical and roomy SUV, the Kodiaq targets families who prioritize functionality and refined driving dynamics over flashy, attention-grabbing styling. Its pricing strategy aligns with offering a well-rounded package that delivers on space, safety, and a comfortable driving experience, rather than focusing solely on aesthetics. This makes it an ideal choice for pragmatic buyers seeking a reliable and spacious family vehicle.
While specific pricing details can vary by region and trim level, potential buyers should expect the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq to be competitive against its direct rivals, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The introduction of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant will also introduce a new pricing tier, likely at the higher end, given its advanced powertrain technology and fuel efficiency benefits, even with the five-seat configuration.
When considering the various trims, buyers should evaluate which Skoda Kodiaq features are most important to them. Whether it’s the full seven-seat capacity of the petrol/diesel models or the environmental benefits of the five-seat PHEV, the range offers options to suit different family needs and budgets. The New Kodiaq SUV continues to be a smart investment for families looking for a durable and practical vehicle without breaking the bank.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Larger dimensions and significantly more interior space. | Exterior styling might be seen as less dynamic by some. |
| Excellent practicality with truly usable seven-seat capability (petrol/diesel). | Persistent road and wind noise, affecting cabin refinement. |
| Impressive luggage capacity, even with all seats in use. | Noted interior squeaks/rattles detract from premium feel. |
| Advanced standard safety features and 5-star ANCAP rating. | Engine can feel sluggish or “languid” under load, with some turbo lag. |
| New plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option for efficiency (though 5-seater only). | No surround view camera offered, a drawback at this price. |
| Confident driving position with sporty, feedback-rich steering. | PHEV variant sacrifices the third row of seats. |
| Modern, functional interior with integrated digital displays. | Ride can transmit harsher bumps on coarse roads. |
Competitive Analysis
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq finds itself in a fiercely competitive segment, battling it out with established players like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. These rivals also offer compelling packages, focusing on family practicality, safety, and modern technology. However, the New Kodiaq SUV carves its niche by prioritizing intelligent packaging and robust, no-nonsense engineering.
Compared to the Santa Fe and Sorento, the Kodiaq might not always boast the most audacious styling or the most powerful hybrid systems. Its strength lies in its practical approach to space utilization. The way Skoda has managed to increase boot capacity and retain a truly usable third row, even if best for children, gives it an edge in pure family utility. This focus on real-world usability differentiates it.
Furthermore, the Skoda Kodiaq’s driving dynamics are often praised for their confident and composed nature. While some competitors might offer more punchy acceleration, the Kodiaq provides a balanced ride that prioritizes comfort and stability, making it ideal for long family road trips. Its comprehensive suite of standard safety features also ensures it competes strongly on the crucial aspect of occupant protection.
Price-wise, the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq is positioned to offer strong value, especially considering its increased size and equipment. While its rivals might have flashier interiors or more aggressive marketing, the Kodiaq aims to appeal to the sensible buyer looking for a dependable, spacious, and safe family hauler that will stand the test of time. For a comprehensive first drive review, check out Chasing Cars’ insights on the 2025 Kodiaq.
Expert Opinions
Recent expert reviews and video insights have provided valuable perspectives on the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq. An Australian video review emphasized the robust safety systems, highlighting the vehicle’s five-star ANCAP rating and its comprehensive list of standard active safety features. This is a major plus for family buyers, underscoring Skoda’s commitment to passenger protection. However, the same review did criticize the absence of a surround-view camera, deeming it a significant oversight at the Kodiaq‘s price point.
The review also pointed out the engine’s perceived lethargy when compared to more sprightly hybrid competitors. While the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is generally reliable, its responsiveness under load was noted as an area for improvement. This feedback suggests that while the Kodiaq is competent, it might not be the top choice for those seeking spirited acceleration or immediate power delivery.
Another video review praised the Kodiaq for its practical storage solutions throughout the cabin, reinforcing its family-friendly design. The comfortable driving assistance systems also received positive mentions, indicating that the vehicle is designed to make long journeys less taxing for the driver. This aligns with Skoda’s focus on practicality and ease of use. The review also reported an urban fuel consumption figure of around 9 L/100 km, offering a realistic expectation for daily driving efficiency.
In summary, expert opinions concur that the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq excels in safety and practicality, making it a strong choice for families. However, there’s a consensus on areas for refinement, such as the engine’s responsiveness and the omission of certain convenience features like a 360-degree camera. These insights paint a balanced picture of a highly capable, albeit imperfect, family SUV.
FAQ
- How much longer is the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq than the previous generation?
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq has grown by 61mm in length compared to its predecessor. This increase directly contributes to more interior space and a larger boot, enhancing its overall practicality for families and making it more competitive in the medium to large SUV segment.
- Does the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant?
Yes, for the first time, the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq introduces a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option. This variant provides improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, marking Skoda’s continued expansion into electrification. However, it’s important to note that the PHEV model is only available as a five-seater.
- Is the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq good for large families?
Absolutely! The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq is designed with families in mind. Its increased length, impressive boot capacity (29 litres larger), and practical seven-seat configuration (on petrol/diesel models) make it highly suitable for larger families needing ample space for passengers and luggage. The third row, while best for children, is genuinely usable.
- What are the main drawbacks of the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq?
While excellent, the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq has a few drawbacks. Reviewers have noted persistent road and wind noise, and occasional interior squeaks. The engine can feel sluggish under heavy loads due to turbo lag, and a surround-view camera is notably absent, which is a common feature in this price range.
- What kind of safety features does the new Kodiaq SUV have?
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating and comes standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features. These include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
Conclusion
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq truly represents a significant leap forward for Skoda in the family SUV market. Its increased dimensions, emphasis on practicality, and robust safety features make it an incredibly compelling choice for families seeking a versatile and dependable vehicle. While there are minor trade-offs in styling and cabin noise, these are largely overshadowed by its strengths in space, technology, and overall utility. The introduction of the #PHEV variant also offers a cleaner, more efficient option for those prioritizing environmental impact.
If you’re looking for a spacious, safe, and well-equipped SUV that prioritizes function without sacrificing comfort, the New Kodiaq SUV certainly deserves a spot on your shortlist. It masterfully balances practicality with refined driving dynamics, offering a comprehensive package that challenges its competitors head-on. Share your thoughts on the Skoda Kodiaq 2025 review in the comments below, and feel free to read other articles on our site for more expert vehicle insights. For any specific queries, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Get an even closer look at the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq‘s features, interior, and driving experience in this detailed video review:
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