it lives well and is still on the 150 hp diesel!

It is not easy to find the right car when you have more than three children. For tight budgets, there is the Dacia Jogger, with an unbeatable price/performance ratio. But for those who find a little Romanian – especially in terms of sound blocking – family cars offering 7 seats are not that many. The Peugeot 5008 is at the end of its career, the Renault Espace is convincing but only exists as a hybrid… and other proposals need a solid review to drive the wheel again (Mercedes GLB, Kia EV9, etc.). It is in this context that the 2nd generation Kodiaq arrives in the market at the beginning of July. If the model develops well with a more assertive look and, at the back, a light signature that now includes a belt that crosses the entire width, in detail, almost all body parts are new! In particular, the rear pillars, now wider on them than their base, which seems to improve the profile, while the wheelbase has not changed inches (2.79 m). On the other hand, this giant has been lengthened by 6 cm (4.76 m), is still 1.68 m tall and is 2 cm less wide (1.86 m). It is now based on the MQB Evolution platform which, compared to the original Kodiaq 1 MBQ, brings significant improvements in the electronic architecture.

Soon ChatGPT on board

This allows it, behind its brand new dashboard, to provide current functionality, the machine even announcing, within a few months, hosting ChatGPT., just to be able to answer (almost) all requests that we can think of, during the trip for example: what are the best places to see, where can we find restaurants not to be missed, etc. While I was waiting to be able to try this “super volume command”, The interior design looks attractive and warm in this terracotta atmosphere. Behind the heavy finish and irresistible screens – 10 inches in front of the driver, 12.9 inches in the middle – Škoda has redesigned the interface based on customer reviews of the touch controls.

A redesigned and streamlined interface

As such, this Kodiaq benefits from real climate/ventilation buttons, including the three dials already seen on the latest Superb’s dashboard. We have not seen a more practical use, with the trick that instead of managing just one function, these wheels manage several here. That is, three for dial out (left and right heating, heating and ventilation of the parallel seat). As for the 3rd round button, in the middle, it can be fully programmed and is equipped with a small touch screen. It can be assigned from one to four of the six available functions, from the radio sound, to the navigation boost, to the air distribution or even the driving modes when the car is equipped with controlled DCC (price not set). This customization possibility can be found on the main screen, which offers five shortcuts to its favorite functions. Finally, Škoda has thought of drivers who want to easily remove the speed limit warning and lane crossing warning via a special button on the steering wheel. In short, although it takes a little time to get used to navigating the menus and all the features, this Kodiaq strives to make our lives easier.

Practical features on all floors

Moreover, if his stomach was already well equipped with interior space, skill and practical features, the guest plays one up. Therefore, by lowering the gear lever with a simple switch, on the right side of the steering wheel, the space between the front seats is full of storage. The one at the bottom of the console has two induction chargers, while the mini house takes a small bar and a square section covered with felt. To do what ? But cleaning fingerprints that inevitably cover the main screen, of course! An excellent idea that we hope will be copied by other manufacturers, and which adds to the long list of practical features of the “Škoda sauce” that we are used to. From the canopy (made of durable material) on the front door, to the cold wiper on the fuel filler flap, to the small trash cans and even the sun blinds on the 2nd row, this Kodiaq has the occupants in mind.

Top 5 chairs… and two folding chairs for children

The latter is better as space is generous, especially in the second row, with a sliding bench seat in two sections, 1/3-2/3. Best of all, this allows a little leg room for the “punished”, condemned to folding seats in the back of this 7-seater version. If you are not too cramped than before, Škoda advertises an excellent 15 mm above the head, these seats keep a comfortable position for adults with their seats at the lower level. In addition, getting out of the car from these seats requires the flexibility of a Shaolin monk, as the rear doors do not provide enough space to avoid collisions. The trunk, on the other hand, advertises 80 dm3 better than before, namely 430 dm3 in the configuration of 7 seats, 845 dm3 in 5 seats and directly 2,035 dm3 with the two lower rows folded down.

Stronger than ever… but not necessarily easier

The interior isn’t the only thing that’s been updated. Not only do aerodynamics take a step forward, with Cx reduced by 10% to 0.28, but the engine and running gear have changed. The first deliveries, at the beginning of July, will concern the 1.5 TSI Hybrid 150 and the TDI 150 diesel. The range will be improved by a TDI 193 diesel, associated with a 4×4 transmission, and a PHEV announcing more than 100 kilometers of electric range thanks to a useful 19.7 kWh battery. For now, a few kilometers behind the wheel of the Kodiaq TDI 150 are enough to feel Škoda’s new preference in terms of suspension, already seen last month with the Superb. Here with excessive damping, the large SUV controls the movement of its body better than before, without disturbing collapse. On the contrary. The compromise found here with the 19-inch wheels is quite convincing. This does not make it as powerful to drive as the Peugeot 5008 that will soon be replaced, but the Czech car is not ashamed, especially since it does not force a good rear end with only two people on board. . As a bonus, the 2-liter diesel “evo” is a kind of tact and accelerated speed, full of goodwill thanks to its torque of Nm 360 and promises to be modest, our journey was made at different speeds after concluding with 6, 7. l for on-board computer.

Suffice it to say that families who don’t dread the idea of ​​driving a diesel will be motivated to take a look at the new Kodiaq TDI 150 DSG7. It is only available at the end of the Election at the beginning, it costs €48,470 for 5 seats and €49,550 for 7 seats, not to mention the penalty starting at €898.