Škoda Kodiaq

Earlier, it was assumed that the new SUV would be called "Snowman" or "Polar", but this was rejected by the former head of Škoda, Winfried Vahland as a media speculation. On 23 December 2015, Škoda registered the name "Kodiaq". The name refers to the largest brown bear, the Kodiak bear, living on the island of the same name off the south coast of Alaska.[6] As part of its marketing campaign, the Kodiak town on the Alaskan island was renamed Kodiaq for one day.[7]

In February 2016, images of the Vision S concept were released,[8] and the concept model appeared in March 2016 at the Geneva Motor Show.[9][10] The final SUV was introduced at the Paris Motor Show on 29 September 2016.[11][12] The first cars were officially delivered to customers in February 2017.

The Kodiaq is the first vehicle in the Škoda lineup to have Area View, Tow Assist, Manoeuvre Assist and Predictive Pedestrian Protection.[13] It is also the first vehicle in the Volkswagen Group MQB platform lineup to feature capacitive shortcut buttons instead of physical buttons for the 8" infotainment systems.

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  Škoda Kodiaq (rear)
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  Interior

Euro NCAP test results
Škoda Kodiaq (2017)[14]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	35.3	92%
Child occupant:	38.2	77%
Pedestrian:	30.0	71%
Safety assist:	6.5	54%

The new Kodiaq Scout and Kodiaq Sportline were introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. Kodiaq Scout ground clearance has gone up from 187 mm to 194 mm, with several design changes. These changes include front and rear underbody protection with bumper trim, silver mirror caps, and badging on the front wing and the glove compartment. The Scout comes in all-wheel drive with one turbo petrol TSI engines and two turbo diesel TDI engines.[15] Kodiaq Sportline brings new styling tweaks, some parts are made in black, sports seats, steering wheel in leather, big alloy wheels and pedals made from aluminium.[16]

The Kodiaq RS (vRS in the United Kingdom) was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 2018. It is at the top of the range, the fastest Kodiaq and the most expensive Škoda available. It includes the Škoda's most powerful diesel engine, the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, which produces a maximum output of 240 PS (237 hp; 177 kW) and a maximum torque of 500 N⋅m (369 lbf⋅ft). The Kodiaq RS has got a more aggressive design, from leather and carbon leather are made the sports upholstered seats, steering wheel, the door threshold and the entrance rails of the doors.[17] It comes with Virtual Cockpit, a gloss black grille, 20" alloy wheels Xtreme, 17-inch red painted brake calipers, different front and rear bumper designs, heated front sports seats and full LED headlights. It holds the track record at the Nürburgring for any seven seat SUV.[18] Since 2019, the British Police use Škoda Kodiaq vRS as police cars.[19]

The Kodiaq GT is the coupé version of the Kodiaq for the Chinese market.[20] It was introduced at the Guangzhou Motor Show on 16 November 2018. It is sold only in China, and is available with two 2.0-litre petrol engines (137 kW and 162 kW).[21]

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  Škoda Kodiaq Scout
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  Škoda Kodiaq Sportline
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  Škoda Kodiaq RS
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  Škoda Kodiaq GT (China)

The Škoda Kodiaq is available with a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 litres, and a choice of front or all wheel drive.[22][23]

In November 2016, the Škoda Kodiaq was named the "Best Family Car in the World" by Top Gear Magazine.[24] Kodiaq won the title of the "Car of the Year" 2017 in the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria, the SUV of the Year in China and France, and the all wheel drive car in Germany.[25]

The Kodiaq also won in German magazine competition Auto Test for 2017, and is the winner of competitions in British magazines Auto Express and What Car? for 2017.[25][26] The Kodiaq also received the Red Dot Design Award for 2017.[27]

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