Impressive seven-seater from the Skoda stable
For nearly everyone ordering a new Skoda Kodiaq, the firm's first seven-seater , wants the version that sits near the top of the range, not near the bottom.
The Kodiaq (its name alluding to a bear found in Alaska) is available from £21,565 but 85 percent of potential purchasers want posher ones costing more than £7,000 extra.
That surely signals Skoda's warranted arrival among cars that are fancied for their looks and ability more than their list price. A drive in the newcomer says the first owners of a Kodiaq made the right choice.
PRICE £30,650
DRIVETRAIN 1,968cc 148bhp diesel engine, 6-speed gearbox
PERFORMANCE Top speed 122mph 0-62mph 9.5 seconds
ECONOMY Euro average 52.3mpg CO2 144g/km road tax £200 first year, then £140
SIZE 4,697mm long 1,882mm wide
SAFETY Euro NCAP not tested
INSURANCE Group 17
The Kodiaq is a genuinely spacious car, with three rows of seats in the upper two trim levels (SE L and Edition) with the rearmost pair capable of comfortably seating a couple of young teenagers. They might have to scramble past the second row of seats that slide forward but whose bases don't tilt upward, but the Kodiaq is going to be an answer for families sometimes called on to transport kids to football.
Better still, even with the third row in use, there's the same amount of luggage space behind them that you might find in your average small hatchback - so enough for a decent shop. Fold all the seats down and the Kodiaq could probably house its namesake.
You can't opt for the third row in the entry level Kodiaq S and it costs £1,000 on the next grade up (SE) but almost all the early adopters are buying three-rowed versions anyway. They'll also favour a Kodiaq with a 150 horsepower, 2.0-litre diesel, the same unit that does sterling service in a host of other Volkswagen Group cars, from Audi through SEAT to VW itself.
It costs from £27,114 in an SE level car, equipped with a 6-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Also on offer is a 190 horsepower diesel and a trio of petrol engines, two 1.4-litres offering 125 or 150 horsepower and a more powerful 2.0-litre petrol with 180 horses.
The lowest powered petrol model is the only Kodiaq available with a manual 6-speed gearbox and front wheel drive. All the rest of the range comes with either an auto box or on-demand all-wheel drive, or both. They're both on parade in the current range-topping Edition, at £34,050 and coming with the 150 horsepower diesel, whose 144g/km tailpipe emissions promise a reasonable £200 road tax hit from new under the latest Treasury revamp.
Most powerful engine at present is the 190 horsepower 2.0-litre diesel, available in a single SL L trim version for £33,110. Later in the year, we'll see a Scout model with more obvious off-road looks and than a SportLine.
There's a sense of real solidity in the Kodiaq's cabin. Everything, from the simplest switch to the satellite navigation system on SE L and Edition models does its job so well you know many candles have been burned at both ends to make things just... well work.
The entry level S, with just a 1.4-petrol engine, has LED daytime running lights, manual air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, DAB radio and SmartLink to easily connect your smartphone. Up a grade, to SE and we find 18-inch alloys, cruise control, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and auto-dimming mirrors.
The likely most popular level - SE L, tops up these goodies with sat nav, still large (19 inch) alloys, powered tailgate, Alcantara trim and heated front seats.
Topping the Kodiaq tree, the Edition piles on leather upholstery, metallic paint and chrome roof rails. Added techno features include lane assist, high beam assist and wireless charging for a compatible mobile phone.
Depending on the model you'll also find evidence of Skoda's Simply Clever thinking, from umbrella hidden in a front door to ice scraper sitting in the fuel filler flap.
But back to the ride in an SE L 150 diesel. It's no ball of fire (9.5 seconds to 0 - 62mph) but plenty potent enough for satisfactory progress and quiet with it.
A journey's end 50.5mpg on the dash readout (the official average is 52.3mph) hinted that longer term acquaintance with a Kodiaq would only cement a positive relationship with an impressive new Skoda.
