Drive with us: Skoda Kodiaq Sportline Review (2022)

Meet the seven-seater SUV that combines style with substance

If you’re looking for a seven-seater SUV, it's safe to assume that space is the biggest priority from your next car lease, but such practicality and volume can often mean sacrificing premium styling, character and technology. That’s where the Skoda Kodiaq comes in. 

This is more than a workhorse vehicle that has been built for purpose. Its sporty good looks, generous kit list and spacious interior see it compete with the more premium options in this class.

As Skoda’s flagship combustion engine model, its rivals include the Kia Sorrento and the Peugeot 5008 among others.

We’ve been testing out the Sportline edition, in a Black Magic metallic finish to see how it compares, what it’s like to drive and more. Here’s how we got on. 

What did we drive?  

Model: Kodiaq Sportline (7seats) 2.0 TDI 150 PS 4x4 DSG

Transmission: Automatic

Power: Diesel

Colour: Black Magic Metallic

Wheels: 20inch Vega

OTR from: £30,415

Price of model driven: from £40,315

Price

A Skoda Kodiaq lease deal could be more affordable than you think. Depending on your spec, prices could start from just £275 per month ex VAT.

When compared to some of its rivals, this is a small saving on a Peugeot 5008, which could cost you around £278 per month ex-VAT, as well as the Kia Sorrento, at £336 a month ex VAT.

This makes the Kodiaq a seriously cost-effective choice if you’re considering a Skoda lease deal. Not only does its performance compete with more premium rivals, but the price tag means it's great value too.

*Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change

Engines

The one clear disappointment we had with the Kodiaq was the missing hybrid or fully electric engine. Given the way the automotive world is turning, it’s still a surprise one isn’t offered as an option. If rumours are to be believed, that won’t be changing anytime soon either, with no hybrid engine on the cards. 

It’s a decision that could make some of the Kodiaq’s rivals that do offer hybrid engines, like the Hyundai Santa Fe, more prominent options for those wanting to drive something more efficient.

There are good petrol and diesel on offer, with the 2.0 TDI 150 PS diesel engine that we were testing arguably the best value for money when combining its relative efficiency and power. 

A full breakdown of the available engines are outlined below:

• 1.5 TSI 150PS ACT
• 1.5 TSI 150PS DSG ACT
• 2.0 TSI 190PS DSG 4x4
• 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG SCR
• 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR
• 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Drive

At nearly 5m long, this is not the car to be pushing on in. When you’re behind the wheel, you do feel the size and presence of the Kodiaq. 

Despite that, it does provide a very composed and sturdy drive for a vehicle of this magnitude. It comes fitted with a softer suspension and rides bumps well. 

Once you get going, it has all the power you’ll ever need for your usual commutes and comfort levels are very high, which – if you’re planning on carrying multiple people at any one time - is exactly what you’re after. 

From the driver’s seat, you get plenty of adjustment in your seat and you can create a commanding driving position that SUV drivers crave. 

You do look out onto quite a long, sloping dashboard and bonnet, which emphasises the length of the Kodiaq, but it was by no means overwhelming to drive.

Design & Interior

The exterior design of the Kodiaq struck a chord with me. For what is otherwise quite an industrial vehicle in its purpose, the combination of the black metallic finish and the black styling around the grille and mirrors creates such a smart and striking design with the presence of something far more luxurious. 

Compared to some of the other options in this class like the SEAT Tarraco or the Santa Fe, the Kodiaq is arguably more comparable to the more premium seven-seaters in terms of its visuals.  

I couldn’t help but think of the Range Rover Evoque when looking at the front headlights, with the Kodiaq taking similar styling cues. 

The interior is just as smart, with a warming blend of materials in the front of the cabin. The microsuede sports seats are comfortable and supportive, while the combination of carbon fibre styling throughout the dash and a suede finish on the doors gives the cabin an element of quality. 

Space & Practicality

It's available as a five or seven-seater option. We were testing the latter, but both have their perks. 

Starting with the boot space – if you have all seven seats in use, you get a respectable 270 litres. On face value, this doesn't sound like a huge space, but even with all three rows of seats up it is a very usable area for everyday bits and pieces. 

If you’re not always using the third row, drop it down and your boot space expands to 765 litres – which leaves you with a fantastic area to utilise. With all three rows dropped, you can carry 2065 litres, so there’s plenty of flexibility there. 

Your passengers in the second row will enjoy a generous amount of head and legroom thanks to the Kodiaq’s long wheelbase.

The harsh reality of any seven-seater comes in the third row – you’re going to want to reserve that for children or if you’re feeling brave, smaller adults for short journeys. Adult space is limited, but kids will have a great time. 

Your other storage opportunities throughout the Kodiaq include good-sized door bins and an adequate armrest compartment, which includes two small cupholders. 

Technology

Our Sportline edition came with a generous amount of kit as standard, making it a very well-specced and good value option in this class.

The 9.2" touchscreen that comes as standard for Sportline trims is an improvement on the 8" option that is fitted to entry-level spec. It has been integrated into the dashboard effortlessly and looks incredibly sleek.

The system is responsive, easy to use and generally user friendly. Wireless Apple CarPlay is a nice bonus to have, while those with an Android will have to settle for a wired connection to use Android Auto. 

Skoda’s in-built navigation system is responsive and easy to follow on the informative driver’s display if you wanted an alternative to a third-party app.

There’s a nice balance of physical and touchscreen buttons throughout the cabin, though I do wish the shortcut buttons on the steering wheel were slightly bigger, which would make them easier to use on the move.

Your connectivity options in the centre console include two USB C ports and a 12V socket. 

Safety

The Kodiaq scored all five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test, with a 92% score for adult occupants. 

Rivals like the Santa Fe and the Peugeot 5008 both also scored five stars, but the former came out narrowly ahead in terms of its adult occupant score (94%). 

It comes fitted with blind-spot detection, a multi-collision brake system, park assist and full LED matrix headlights. 

The quality of the onboard reversing camera is also up there with the best in its class.

Model Lines & Equipment

SE & SE Drive – from £30,415

• 18" Ascella Anthracite Alloy Wheels
• Electrically Adjustable, Heated And Folding Door Mirrors With Integrated Indicators
• Amundsen Satellite Navigation With 8" Touchscreen Display And Integrated Wi-Fi
• Infotainment Online (1 Year)
• Front Parking Sensors
• Rear-View Parking Camera
• Wireless Charging

SE L & SE L Executive - £33,405

(In addition to/replacement of SE & SE Drive)

• 19" Triglav alloy wheels or 19” Cursa anthracite alloy wheels
• Full LED Matrix headlights with AFS (adaptive front light system), cornering function and AWL (all-weather lighting system)
• Heated front seats
• Electrically operated boot

Sportline – from £37,205

(In addition to/replacement of SE L & SE L Executive)

• 20" Vega Anthracite alloy wheels
• Black sports styling including front grille and window surrounds
• Microsuede upholstery with sports seats
• Progressive steering

Laurin & Klement – from £43,145

(In addition to/replacement of Sportline)

• 19" Sirius anthracite alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Leather ventilated seats with Laurin & Klement logo
• Virtual Cockpit

vRS – from £46,035

(In addition to/replacement of vRS)

• 20" Sagitarius anthracite alloy wheels with aero covers
• vRS front and rear bumpers with vRS badging
• Alcantara vRS sports upholstery with red stitching and vRS logo on front seats
• Virtual Cockpit

Verdict

The Kodiaq and the rest of the Skoda lineup in general just offer so much value for money.

That being said, the lack of a hybrid powertrain could understandably turn some people away.

For an even more cost-effective Skoda lease deal, the entry-level trims come with a very generous kit list and the freedom to choose between a five and seven-seater offers a lot of flexibility.

The Kodiaq solves a common problem among bigger utilitarian vehicles – they don’t always look great!

The combination of style, sporty touches and intricate design, coupled with the simple massive amounts of space and flexibility in the second and third rows makes the Kodiaq a hugely compelling lease choice.