Name: Skoda Kodiaq (2017 - 2024) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Skoda Kodiaq
Rating: 64.0

Summary

The Skoda Kodiaq is a large seven-seat SUV that shares many of its mechanical components with other Skoda models and different vehicles within the Volkswagen Group family.

This is the original generation of the Kodiaq, which was launched in 2017. It was subsequently joined by a more off-road model called the Scout, a sportier model called Sportline and a more luxurious version called L&K. A high-performance vRS model joined the range in early 2019. Production ended in early 2024 when it was replaced by an all-new, second-generation model.

The Skoda Kodiaq received mostly positive reviews from the UK motoring media throughout its production life, although the lower-spec models generally earned higher scores than the more expensive vRS and L&K models. All models of the Kodiaq family were particularly praised for their spacious cabin and value for money, although the driving dynamics were not necessarily as involving as some rival vehicles.

Skoda has recently announced the second-generation Kodiaq, which will replace this version of the SUV in late 2024.

No longer on sale, the first-generation Skoda Kodiaq holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 63%. Its media review scores and CO₂ emissions are average, while running costs are high and its Euro NCAP safety rating has now expired due to age.

More Skoda Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £33,485 on-road

Launched: Winter 2016/17
Last updated: Summer 2021
Replacement due: Late 2024

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
“Skoda hasn’t made the ultimate performance SUV here, but it wasn’t trying to – instead, it’s come up with a car that’s great to cruise in, has more than enough performance for most and can still hustle down a back road at hot-hatch pace, all in an unflustered, unflappable kind of way.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq offers most things its rivals do plus some extras several of them don’t, including a sufficient range of petrol engines.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq SUV is an impressive all-rounder and one of the best family cars on sale today.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic vRS
Score: 6 / 10
“The previous Skoda Kodiaq vRS wasn’t our favourite model in the range, because we felt it didn’t add enough to an already excellent SUV to justify the high price. The same applies here, except that the previous diesel engine was better suited to the car’s character – and was more economical, too.”
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Model reviewed: L&K 2.0-litre petrol TSI
Score: 6 / 10
“As is so often the case with cars like this, the lower-spec models make more financial sense. While the Skoda Kodiaq L&K is nicely built and comes loaded with kit, our top pick remains the well-equipped SE L, which offers all the space and equipment a growing family might need.”
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Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
Score: 6 / 10
“The Kodiaq vRS feels like a step too far for Skoda – not because it’s a bad thing, but because the parameters that have governed its creation are so narrow. And it is impossible to escape the price, which looks pretty rich.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: (2023)
Score: 9 / 10
“While the Skoda Kodiaq might be getting on a bit, the years have been very kind to this SUV. It remains a brilliant large family car, with vast levels of space and a comfortable ride making it a great choice.” (Ted Welford)
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic 190hp Sportline
Score: 8 / 10
“This Kodiaq Sportline is a good choice in this Skoda’s range – adding sporty flair to what is an already handsome-looking SUV. It’s impressively spacious, has an excellent interior and is good to drive, too.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 9 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq offers seven seats, excellent value for money and a decent driving experience.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq vRS is fast, but struggles to justify its price and sporty badge.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq has proven itself a spacious and practical SUV. This vRS model adds more performance and style to the mix, but it can be uncomfortable and it looks quite pricey.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq is a big, practical family SUV that’s available with seven seats – although the rearmost two are only big enough for kids.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: (range review)
“Overall the Skoda Kodiaq is practical, stylish and is a nice place to be. When compared to its rivals it also looks very good value, especially if you want that all-important petrol engine.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic vRS
“What’s so good about the Skoda Kodiaq vRS is the combination of its elements: the performance, tastefully designed sporty add-ons and the in-built practicality of this seven-seater.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
Score: 6 / 10
“Skoda’s first vRS-badged SUV doesn’t quite match the appeal of its Octavia vRS.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“A great a ‘sensible’ car to complement your not-so-sensible toy”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Edition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq Edition 2.0 TDI 150PS 4×4 DSG, as tested, is an excellent all-round car. It has lots of space, either for five people plus a huge boot, or for seven people. The 150PS 2.0 TDI engine delivers adequate performance for mixed driving, and is ideal for lots of motorway journeys, providing good economy for a seven-seater 4×4.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq is a genuinely excellent family SUV. It’s a versatile choice, with a big boot and seven seats on most models. A nearly-new example represents strong value for money and mid-spec trim levels come with plenty of kit. It’s easy to drive and it shouldn’t cost a fortune to run.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“If you need a family SUV and you don’t want to spend a fortune, it’s hard to go wrong with the Skoda Kodiaq. Factor in the relaxed drive, safety gear and convenience technology and it’s a clear winner.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Seven-seat SUV appeals equally to heart and head.”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol manual SE L
“The seven-seat Kodiaq SUV might just be the perfect car for battling ice, snow and storms.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s no Porsche Cayenne, but it’s still impressively agile for such a tall SUV.”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel Sportline
“This extended test began with a simple question: pound for pound, is the Kodiaq the best seven-seat SUV on sale? At the end of more than six months of living with a Kodiaq, the answer has to be ‘yes’.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
“Plenty of Utility, but not enough Sports.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic SE L
Score: 6 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq is a reasonable, if far from bargain basement, seven-seater SUV, which is nicely put together, reasonably well specified and practical. It isn’t much of a drive, however and in this 1.5-litre turbo petrol form it’s underpowered.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 9 / 10
“The Skoda Kodiaq is a terrific SUV, with all the room you’d expect of a large family car, excellent driving manners and lots of equipment, all for a tempting price. If you’re in the market for a seven-seater, it should definitely be on your list.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A Top Gear award winner in 2016, and rightly so – Skoda’s big crossover is all things to all families.”
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Model reviewed: Kodiaq vRS
“The Skoda Kodiaq vRS is a good car – its issue is one of marketing. There isn’t enough here to justify the substantial premium. It probably shouldn’t have a vRS badge. And for that reason, while this is probably the best Kodiaq in a money-no-object kind of way, it’s not the one we would buy.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 92%
Child protection: 77%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 54%

Notes on safety rating

The Skoda Kodiaq was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Kodiaq to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Skoda Kodiaq not been lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of April 2025 (our most recent data point), we don’t have enough reliability data on the Skoda Kodiaq to generate a rating. Our reliability score is based on warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy.

As soon as MotorEasy has enough data on the Skoda Kodiaq to generate a reliability score, we’ll update this section of the page.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	39 mpg	D
Diesel models	47 mpg	C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	169 g/km	D
Diesel models	163 g/km	D
Plug-in hybrid models	10 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	73 miles	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	22	B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£215	C
Year 2	£544	C
Year 3	£912	C
Year 4	£1,159	C
Year 5	£1,563	C
Overall	£4,393	C

The Skoda Kodiaq is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

There are other SUVs in the Skoda range that offer better fuel economy, as the Kodiaq’s fuel efficiency is lower than the market average, but this is to be expected of a large family car. On the other hand, the Skoda’s insurance premiums are pretty affordable, and its service and maintenance costs are very good over five years of ownership.