New Skoda Kodiaq spied up close

All-new version of Skoda’s seven-seat Kodiaq SUV will debut later this year with a fresh design and plug-in hybrid powertrains

The seven-seat Kodiaq SUV has proven to be extremely popular since it was first launched in 2016, so it comes as no surprise to see Skoda working on an all-new model that will be revealed later this year. The family-focused SUV is set to introduce fresh styling, more efficient powertrains and plenty of new tech, and it will continue to rival key competitors in the segment from Hyundai and Kia, as well as in-house rivals from the Volkswagen Group, such as the VW Tiguan Allspace and SEAT Taracco. 

The next-generation Kodiaq spied in these images gives us our first look at the new design. The pictures suggest it will have an evolutionary style that features familiar elements brought right up to date alongside Skoda’s latest design language. 

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Classic Skoda SUV details like the two-piece headlights are instantly visible, with a more upright grille and the signature bonnet dip looking more assertive and less sleek than on the current generation. The body appears to retain the previous car’s basic silhouette, with the roofline staying high all the way back to the tailgate to ensure sufficient headroom for passengers in the third row. The rear lights also look much slimmer and are mounted higher up.

The big changes for the Kodiaq will be focused on its underpinnings. The current Kodiaq sits on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB A2 platform – the same used by all the group’s family SUVs such as the Volkswagen Tiguan and SEAT Tarraco. However, we expect the next-generation model to move onto the more recent MQB Evo platform, which is used by the current VW Golf, Cupra Formentor, and Skoda Octavia, as well as the upcoming third-generation Tiguan. 

Skoda has now confirmed that it will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the new Kodiaq from launch, featuring the same mechanicals as the upcoming VW Tiguan. This will be sold alongside a range of mild-hybrid and diesel and petrol variants, too, but a full-electric variant is off the cards because the MQB Evo platform does not support pure-EV powertrains. 

Another big change will come in the interior design and infotainment. Expect large and crisp displays to be fitted, with an overall layout derived from the current Octavia. Skoda has been on something of a roll with its interior design of late, combining surprisingly sumptuous materials and excellent build quality, while retaining physical controls for things like the heating, ventilation and media. 

Yet despite the Kodiaq’s popularity, the new version will almost certainly be the last offered with regular petrol and diesel engines, as the VW Group, like the entire industry, prepares for widespread electrification. Until then, the new Kodiaq is likely to keep all the features that made the original so popular with family buyers, but this time with even more technology and sophistication. 

Now check out our list of the best family cars to buy now…

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