SKODA KODIAQ ESTATE 1.5 TSI iV 204 SportLine 5dr DSG

Skoda's Kodiaq gets PHEV tech. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the iV model.

Ten Second Review

Skoda has finally worked out how to package its Kodiaq large family SUV with PHEV tech. It hasn't yet worked out how to do so with seven seats. Still, if you don't need that, this capable Kodiaq iV Plug-in Hybrid's worth a look.

Background

Though Skoda is currently very focused on its EV technology, the Czech brand knows it must also provide more credible Plug-in Hybrid options to its customers, given the increasing number of them that aren't quite ready for a full-EV step. That's just what's offered by this Kodiaq iV, the first Plug-in Hybrid Kodiaq in this successful SUV model line's history. This model gets what the Volkswagen Group calls its 'second-generation' PHEV system (rather than the rather limited 'first generation' set-up that featured on earlier Octavia and Superb iV models). Which means, primarily, a much bigger 25.7kWh battery, allowing for an impressive EV range. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

With this MK2 Kodiaq, probably the biggest news on the engine front is the availability for the first time of a PHEV drivetrain. The iV Plug-in Hybrid model in question use a sizeable 25.7kWh battery pack which is supposed to be able to offer EV driving range of up to 71 miles. The engine that cuts in at the end of all that is broadly the same 1.5-litre TSI four cylinder unit as by the mild hybrid model but with the PHEV, this 150PS powerplant is mated to six rather than seven-speed auto transmission and works in concert with a 118PS electric motor, contributing to a total system output of 204PS. Which doesn't sound a great deal to propel over 1.9-tonnes of Czech real estate. Still, you won't notice the disparity unless you find yourself driving in the kind of manner a typical Kodiaq owner probably never would. And the drive stats are competitive enough - 62mph in 8.4s en route to 130mph. Replicating those stats would involve selecting 'Sport' mode (rather than 'Hybrid' or 'Normal'). You don't buy a Kodiaq prioritising engaging driving dynamics, but nevertheless, Skoda promises these should be improved as a result of this second generation model's switch to the VW Group's latest MQB Evo platform, a lightly evolved version of the MQB chassis used before. There's the option of a redeveloped 'DCC Plus' Dynamic Chassis Control adaptive damping system which now uses two-valve technology to control suspension rebound and compression (replacing the old single-valve system). Expect ride quality to be significantly improved as a result.

Design and Build

Apart from the 'iV' badgework and an extra charging flap, there's nothing visual to designate to your neighbours that you've bought a Plug-in Hybrid Kodiaq. The second generation version of this family SUV has been styled with elements of the brand's 'Modern Solid' philosophy that was previewed by the recent 'Vision 7S' concept car. Squared-off wheel arches house the segment's usual big rims, while the heavily sculpted bonnet flows down into a prominent hexagonal grille featuring the company's latest badge. There's a coloured D-pillar insert and you can also have an optional LED light strip running across the front end. As you'd expect these days, there's a better quality screen-heavy interior waiting for the driver inside. And to compensate for the way those displays have inhaled many of the previous knobs and buttons, Skoda has inserted three so-called 'Smart Dials' below the centre stack vents. The outer two have fixed settings, but the middle one can be customised to control various preferred functions - like fan speed, audio volume or drive mode. This arrangement - and the fact that it's no longer necessary to allow for the fitment of a manual gearbox - has allowed the designers to clean up the look of the dash area and create more storage space, a quest aided by the auto gear selector's move from the centre console to the steering column. We mentioned screens; the 10-inch instrument panel TFT set-up can be paired with an optional head-up display and there's a 'floating' centre monitor that'll be either 10 or 13-inches in size, depending on the spec you choose. Further back in the car, the second row slides and reclines as before. But because of the under-floor PHEV system battery placement, it's unfortunately not possible to have a third seating row - as you can with more conventionally-engined Kodiaqs. Still, you get a decently-sized 745-litre boot, though that's 165-litres less than in a conventionally-engined five-seat Kodiaq. With the rear bench folded, that's extendable to 1,945-litres.

Market and Model

Skoda offers this iV PHEV powertrain with all three of its Kodiaq trim levels - 'SE', 'SE L' and 'Sportline', but only with the five-seat cabin format and only with front wheel drive. Prices start from around £42,000 and extend up to around £47,000. Think in terms of around £3,000 more than the conventional 2.0 TDI 150PS diesel model and around £5,500 more than the conventional 1.5 e-TEC 150PS mild hybrid petrol variant. Base 'SE' spec includes most of what you'd want. That means 18-inch silver alloy wheels in a 'Mazeno' design, LED headlamps, front fog lights, LED tail lights, all-round parking sensors, power-folding mirrors and black roof rails. Inside with base 'SE'-spec, there's heated front seats, a 10.25-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument display, a rear view camera and a wireless charging mat ambient lighting and the neat configurable 'smart dials' with their coloured displays. Media tech's taken care of by a 13-inch central touchscreen with navigation and voice control, plus Skoda's 'Smartlink' system giving wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto'. With mid-level 'SE L' trim, you get a much nicer 'ecoSuite Black Design selection' interior, furnished in a combination of real and artificial leather. Other standard 'SE L' features include larger 19-inch 'Rapeto' silver alloy wheels, 'intelligent' Matrix LED headlamps, animated LED tail lamps, keyless entry, rear privacy glass and a power-operated tailgate. Inside with 'SE L'-spec, there's 14-way powered adjustment and memory settings for the front seats, plus silver roof rails and a variable height boot floor. Finally, the 'Sportline' version comes with 20-inch 'Ria' anthracite alloy wheels, metallic paint and a sports styling pack, along with Skoda's 'Lane keeping system plus' semi-automatic vehicle control system, which includes 'traffic jam assist' to effectively drive the car for you in stop/start urban driving. Inside with 'Sportline' trim, there's a bespoke 'Sportline Design Selection' interior trimming package, featuring microsuede interior trimming, Sports Comfort seats, a sports steering wheel and aluminium pedals. Plus acoustic side and rear windows and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Cost of Ownership

As we told you in our 'Driving' section this 1.5 TSI iV Plug-in Hybrid model now has a much larger 25.7kWh battery pack which is supposed to be able to offer driving range of up to 71 miles. That's a little down on the equivalent Superb but significantly better than a key segment rival, the PHEV version of the Peugeot 5008. Another sector rival the Kia Sorento PHEV, does even worse, returning only 35 miles on battery power, but can (unlike the iV version of this Kodiaq) be ordered with seven seats. Skoda reckons the Kodiaq iV model's electric mileage figure will allow many families to use the car as an EV, given German market research suggesting that 95% of journeys are less than 31 miles long and 99% are shorter than 71 miles. The brand claims that with petrol and electric power sources combined, the Kodiaq iV PHEV's range would stretch to over 620 miles. As usual with PHEVs, that EV range skews the combined cycle fuel figure well into fantasy land (here, it's quoted at up to 691.5mpg); in reality, you probably wouldn't do much better than would be the case with a frugally-driven diesel variant (and with the PHEV, you'd have to put up with a smaller fuel tank too). But the important thing is that the HMRC believes the iV model's quoted CO2 figure - up to 9g/km - so a low Benefit-in-Kind taxation rating is guaranteed - 5% in this case, compared with 32-37% for the conventionally-engined models. The PHEV battery supports DC charging at up to 50kW and that means a 10 to 80% battery top up will take around 25 minutes, while the 11kW on-board charger allows full home battery replenishment to take as little as 2 hours. A more typical 7.4kW garage wallbox would need around four hours.

Summary

Skoda doesn't (yet) offer a full EV of this Kodiaq's size. But the 71 mile EV capability of the iV version of this Czech SUV means that you might feel you don't need an EV if your main driving is around suburbia. It's disappointing though that, unlike Hyundai and Kia, Skoda hasn't yet found a way of designing a Plug-in Hybrid SUV of this kind with seven seats. To be fair, Kia and Hyundai charge you quite a lot more that privilege and if two seating rows are enough for you, then this Kodiaq iV looks an interesting (if much pricier) alternative to the diesel variants that are still deservedly popular in the mainstream Kodiaq range. Like more conventional versions of this car, it gets an enormous boot, a well-crafted cabin and some clever interior touches - and matches it all with a super-low BiK tax rating. You can see why Skoda thinks it might sell a few of these.

Body Glass

Aero front windscreen wipers with intermittent function

Electric front and rear windows

Heat insulating glass in windshield

Heated rear window

Privacy glass

Rear window wiper

Windscreen wipers with rain sensor

Brakes

Electronic parking brake

ESC (incl. ABS+EMD+MSR+ASR+EDL+HBA+DSR+RBS+ESBS+MCB+TSA+XDS)

Front assist with assisted automatic braking reaction to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists

Front disc brakes

Hill hold assist

Junction assist with automatic emergency braking

Rear disc brakes

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Communication

Bluetooth system

Emergency call

Voice control system

Wireless charging for two smartphones (15W) with cooling function

Driver Aids

Interior driver monitoring camera system

Tailgate unlocking from outside

Driver Convenience

Blind spot detection with door exit warning

Driver alert - Fatigue and drowsiness monitor

Front and rear parking sensors

Front cross traffic assist

Power assisted steering

Rear traffic assist

Traffic sign recognition

Driver Information

13" satellite navigation touchscreen display

ChatGPT functionality

Dry display cleaner

USB C Port x 2 in front centre console

Virtual Cockpit - 10.25" digital display

Wireless SmartLink for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Electric folding /adjustable/separted heated/folding door mirrors, auto dimming with boarding sports and memory function

Gloss black door mirrors

Logo projection in door mirrors

Engine

Stop/start function

Entertainment

2x USB-C in the rear

DAB Digital radio

Exterior Body Features

Black diffuser and decorative tailpipe with a unique dark chrome finish

Black roof rails

Black sports styling including front grille and window surrounds

Black wheel arch surrounds

Body colour door handles

Exterior black decorative trims

Front and rear sports bumpers including lower rear chrome strip

Front grille with horizontal light strip

Gloss black window frame and D pillar

Ice scraper in fuel tank cap

Rear roof spoiler

Rear side wing doors

Safety reflectors on front and rear doors

Sportline badge on front fenders

Tailgate lettering in Black

Unique dark chrome design logo on alloy wheels

Window control switches with black trim

Without engine designation

Exterior Lights

AWL (all weather lighting) and all weather light with cornering function

Cornering light and poor weather light

LED daytime running lights

LED matrix headlights with AFS and LED fog lights

LED rear light with welcome effect and dynamic turn signals

LED third brake light in rear spoiler

Light assistant with automatic headlight control and coming home feature

Multiple matrix beam

Red decorative strip between rear LED lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Pollen filter

Tri zone climate control

Interior Features

1.5l bottle holder points in all door

3 configurable smart dials with 32mm coloured display

3 spoke multi-function heated leather sports steering wheel with paddle shift

4 foldable roof handles with rear coat hooks

Aluminium pedals

Automatic gear selector on steering column

Chrome interior door handles

Fabric headlining

Front centre armrest with jumbo box storage compartment, cup holder and 12V socket

Interior black decorative trims

iV badging on boot

Manually adjustable steering column

Rear centre armrest with cupholders

Skoda lettering on steering wheel

Storage pocket including mobile phone pockets on the backs of the front seats

Ticket holder on A Pillar

Umbrella in door panel x1 made from sustainable materials

USB C port by rear view mirror for charging only (15W)

Interior Lights

1x centre rear reading light

Ambient interior lighting - Dashboard, front-door stowage compartments, front and rear door panels and footwell lighting

Driver/front passenger reading lights

Upper and lower glovebox with card holder and coin compartment

Packs

Acoustic package - Kodiaq

Performance package - Kodiaq

Sportline design selection pack - Kodiaq

Safety

Auto door release and activation of warning lights in the event of an accident

Driver and front passenger airbag with knee airbag and front passenger airbag deactivation

Electric child locks

Fuel cut off safety device

Height adjustable front 3 point seatbelts + pretensioners

Safety vest holder in door

Seat belt reminder for all seats

Three point rear seat belts

Two tone horn

Tyre pressure monitor

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Fixed bench 40:60:40 split folding backrests

Front sports seats

Height adjustable front headrests

Isofix child seat fittings in outer rear seats and front passenger with top tether

Rear seat boot backrest release

Single front passenger seat

Three rear height adjustable headrests

Security

Alarm with interior monitoring and tilt sensor with safe function

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Immobiliser

Remote central locking with 2 keys

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

32A charging cable

Wheels - Alloy

20" Rila anthacite polished alloy wheel with black matte aero covers

Wheels - Spare

Breakdown kit

Tool kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 73

Battery Capacity in kWh: 25.7

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 675

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 150

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 26

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 40

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Front

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 40

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Usable Battery Capacity: 19.7

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (kWh/100km) - Comb: 18.7

WLTP - EC AC Weighted (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.3

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 118

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 73

Emissions - ICE

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.006

Particles: 0.0001

Standard Emissions: EURO 6e-bis

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 139

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 135

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 150

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 148

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - High - TEH: 122

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - High - TEL: 119

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Low - TEH: 177

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Low - TEL: 163

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 126

WLTP - CO2 Ch Sus (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 120

WLTP - CO2 Charge Depleting (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 9

WLTP - CO2 Charge Depleting (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 7

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 38

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 40

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 38

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 1498

Compression Ratio: 11.5:1

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 74.5

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.9

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Gears: 6 SPEED

Number of Valves: 16

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Ch Dep (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 0.4

WLTP - FC Ch Dep (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 0.3

WLTP - FC Ch Dep (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 706.2

WLTP - FC Ch Dep (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 941.6

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb: 5.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6.1

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 5.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 6.6

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 6.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High - TEH: 5.4

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High - TEL: 5.2

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 7.8

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 7.2

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 5.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 5.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb: 47.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 46.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 47.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Extra High - TEH: 42.8

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Extra High - TEL: 43.5

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High - TEH: 52.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High - TEL: 54.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low - TEH: 36.2

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low - TEL: 39.2

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium - TEH: 51.4

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium - TEL: 53.3

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 1.7

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1.8

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 1.7

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 166.2

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 156.9

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 166.2

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 1.5

Badge Power: 204

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: TSI iV 204

Coin Series: Sport Line

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 2

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 25E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 2

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 83

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 82

NCAP Safety Assist %: 78

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 140000

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.4

Engine Power - BHP: 204

Engine Power - KW: 150

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 184

Engine Torque - MKG: 25.5

Engine Torque - NM: 250

Engine Torque - RPM: 1500

Top Speed: 130

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: RILA ANTHACITE

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1656

Height (including roof rails): 1674

Length: 4758

Wheelbase: 2791

Width: 1864

Width (including mirrors): 2133

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 47

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2430

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1945

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 745

Max. Loading Weight: 594

Max. Roof Load: 75

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1836

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.2

Body Glass

Heated windscreen

Driver Information

Head up Display

Exterior Body Features

Exclusive paint

Panoramic sunroof

Pearlescent paint

Running boards

Solid paint

Interior Features

Net partition

Packs

Convenience plus pack - Kodiaq PHEV SE L/Sport Line

Driving assistance plus package with park assist - Kodiaq

Light and view plus package - Kodiaq

Simply clever cargo package - Kodiaq PHEV

Simply clever family package - Kodiaq

Winter package - Kodiaq

Winter package - Kodiaq SportLine/vRS

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Bronx gold

Metallic - Graphite grey

Metallic - Moon white

Metallic - Race blue

Metallic - Smokey silver

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Black magic

Paint - Solid

Solid - Meteor grey

Paint - Special

Exclusive paint - Velvet red

Service/Warranty

Extended warranty (4 years or 100000 miles)

Extended warranty (4 years or 80000 miles)

Extended warranty (5 years or 100000 miles)

Service plan (Your first two services)

Towing

Electrically folding towbar with adaptor

Electrically folding towbar with adaptor and trailer assist

Trim - Part Leather

SportLine design selection - Perforated/Artificial leather - Black

Vehicle Charging

Mode 2 charging cable