2017 Skoda Kodiaq – first official details on the SUV

Skoda has revealed more details of its Kodiaq SUV, which will go on sale in Europe early 2017. The press release was accompanied by these pics of the Kodiaq still in camouflage, and the video below showing the cars on the move.

We already know that the Kodiaq – named after the bear that lives on the remote Kodiak Island off the Alaskan southern coast – is 4.70 metres long and is a seven-seater large SUV, with a bigger footprint than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Now, Skoda says that the third row is an option, and the five-seater has the largest boot capacity in the class at 2,065 litres max.

“Our new Skoda Kodiaq SUV is a great all-rounder. It combines an active sense of vitality with the brand’s classic qualities – a high degree of functionality and an outstanding amount of space. As always, in the design process we have focused on offering a little bit more car, and as a result, the best vehicle in the segment. In addition, with its emotive design, the Kodiaq is a strong presence on the road,” said Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier.

Family friendly features include standard adjustable rear seats, with backrests that can be tilted as required. New functions include door-edge protection that deploys automatically to avoid damaging the vehicle in garages or car parks. There is an electric child safety lock for the young ones, as well as a sleep comfort package with special headrests for long trips.

The Czech brand is keen to draw attention to the Kodiaq’s infotainment system, which is the VW Group’s second-gen Modular Infotainment Matrix. They offer numerous functions and interfaces, and are all equipped with capacitive touchscreens. The top-line Columbus and Amundsen systems come with a WiFi hotspot, the former with an optional LTE module.

The new mobile online services from Skoda are LTE compatible, and are divided into two categories: Infotainment Online services provide information and navigation, while Care Connect services provide breakdown and emergency assistance.

An eCall emergency button, which will be required for all new cars in Europe from 2018, is part of Care Connect. Other online services run via the Skoda Connect app. They can be used to check, configure and find a car from distance via a smartphone.

For smartphone connectivity, the SmartLink platform – with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLinkTM and SmartGate – is optional for the entry-level Swing infotainment system but a standard feature for every other level. A Phonebox with inductive charging connects the phone to the roof aerial and charges it wirelessly.

As for new driving assistance systems, the big SUV comes with Area View cameras and Tow Assist; the latter takes over manoeuvring when reversing slowly with a trailer attached. The new predictive pedestrian protection function compliments Front Assist. Parking Distance Control with braking function brakes the Skoda automatically as soon as it detects an obstacle.

The Kodiaq will come with a range of five turbo engines: two TDI diesels and three TSI petrols. The most powerful petrol motor, the 2.0 litre TSI, provides 180 PS but works just as efficiently as a lower capacity powertrain thanks to a newly developed combustion process, Skoda says.

A range of transmission options are available – six-speed manual, dual-clutch DSG automatic, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Driving Mode Select and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC active suspension optional) are available, in addition to a one-touch button off-road mode that primes all systems and DCC for more rugged conditions.

As for how it will look like under the camo, the Skoda VisionS from Geneva 2016 should be a good preview.

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