The All New SKODA KODIAQ
SUV’s are a class of their own, always perceived as a automotive for off road touring and the finest. Skoda Kodiaq fits both the pictures; elegant in design calling it a head turner is obvious. The 4X4 is capable for all terrain, its engineering and features make it seem effortless. Skoda always stands true to its marquee, “Simply Clever”, and with Kodiaq they have stood tall with simple features which make your driving experience practical and effortless.
SUV's are the beasts of the asphalt, especially in the small and unmanaged roads of Kathmandu. They are also the most comfortable and secure in context of broken roads and haphazard drivers. The 7 seater UV is a first from Skoda, its sister the Skoda Karoq shares similar design but is limited to 5 seats.
The review unit we tested was the Kodiaq Style Edition, we were notified that the L&K Edition is on its way and will be available in the next few months.
Exterior
With led headlamps featuring Adaptive Front light System which adjusts the light efficiency to specific conditions. It also features automatic fog lamps that help illuminate the roughest of terrain and fog conditions. The design of the rear lights have been inspired from Czech cubism. The rear and side has vertical black extensions which merge with the roof spoiler and borderss the rear window helping improve the SUV’s aerodynamics. The sharp edges in combination with the smooth surface helps create effective play of light and shadows. The wheel arches have a square design and angular mud flaps with plastic edges and a protective covers which help the car on dirt ridden roads.
Interior
One cannot help notice the sunroof that adds an element of perfection to the car. The upholster features premium leathers and comfortable seats. “Are the extra seats in the back comfortable?” Well they are, in view it might seem that the space will not be enough but they truly are. The infotainment system with “Skoda Connect” that includes numerous features such as navigation, weather and many more features that are not available in Nepal just add more value to your car.
The storage availability on the car is immense, in not talking about the boot space but the spaces in and around the car where you keep things and apparently forget them. The front of the car has a jumbo box in the middle of the driver and the passenger, well enough to store allot of things. One can also equip the jumbo with cup holders as an added accessory. The standard upper and lower storage compartments are spacious and are well illuminated. More space: sunglasses holder above the interior view mirrors, hidden storage compartment under the driver and front passenger. The Kodiaq features a virtual pedal unlock system called "KESSY" ( keyless entry, start and exit system), all you have to do is swipe your food underneath; yeah like your iPhone. I'm not kidding! The tail gate is also electronically controlled so a press of a button and presto.
Performance
The 2.0 TDI diesel engines deliver 150 BHP in the variation available in Nepal but also features a 190 BHP edition. The Kodiaq holds 60 Litres of fuel and the consumption is dependent on the riding style. Kodiaq has five driving modes Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual modes. The exquisite sound in the audio system is through Canton's audio system which is inbuilt in the SUV that provides great audio functionality. In terms of transmission, it’s a Direct Shift Gearbox with a 7 speed transmission system. The 4X4 features an off-road mode, that operates the vehicle at 30km/h so that you can handle extreme terrain. Ii is designed to adjust the engine, stability control for an efficient off road experience.
| Engine: | 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel, in-line 4-cylinder, 16-valve |
| Displacement: | 1968cc |
| Mileage: | 14 kmpl |
| Transmission: | 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) |
| Max Power: | 150 BHP at 3500-4000 RPM |
| Max Torque: | 340 NM at 1750-3000 RPM |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: | 60L |
| Ground Clearance: | 180mm |
| Seating Capacity: | 7 |
| Kerb Weight: | 1752 kg |
| Cargo Volume | 630 Litre |
| Tyre Size | 235/55 R18 Alloy Wheel |
| Ground Clearance | 188mm |
| Price | 1,49,00,000 |
Safety
The Skoda Kodiaq can be also seen as all rounded family car, nothing is more important thean the safety of your loved ones on the road. Especially in difficult terrain, adventurous conditions, the perfection of the driver isn’t enough. The car itself must have proper features that assist the driver so they may reach from point A to point B safe.
The Kodiaq has a full array of camera's and sensors that provide plenty of assistance at various situations.
- Park and Reverse Assist: Parking in general is well, you know is frustrating and parking in Nepal is well another story. The park assist utilizes its rear view cameras and as soon as the car is placed on reverse pops the feed up
to the infotainment system. The feed is not bad, compared to other SUV's at that range.
- Airbags: The second line of safety in the Kodiaq is the airbags; located at strategic positions the bags are to reduce the impact on the driver and passengers after the collision. The Kodiaq features front driver and passenger airbags, knee airbag and head airbags which help create a protective wall to protect the rear passengers.
- Other Safety Features:Antilock Braking System(ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti Slip Regulation(ASR), Electronic Differential lock System( EDS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
