The Skoda Kodiaq has been a popular choice in the large SUV market for a long time because it is practical, affordable, and a little bit European. The second-generation 2025 Skoda Kodiaq builds on this legacy by adding a sharper design, more advanced technology, and a plug-in hybrid option for the first time. The Kodiaq starts at about £37,545 in the UK and ₹46.89 lakh in India. It wants to compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and Toyota Fortuner by offering a great combination of space, comfort, and fuel efficiency. This is our in-depth review of the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq, which looks at its design, interior, performance, usefulness, and value.
Design: Modern Solid with a Little Change
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq has a bold but familiar look thanks to the brand’s “Modern Solid” design language. It is 4,758mm long, 1,864mm wide, and 1,659mm tall, which is 61mm longer than the last model. This makes it bigger than the Volkswagen Tiguan but a little smaller than some seven-seat competitors, like the Hyundai Santa Fe. The changes to the outside are more evolutionary than revolutionary. The new LED headlights, wider grille, and optional front lightbar give the car a more modern look. The back has connected LED tail lights that look especially cool at night because they have a “crystalline” effect.
The Kodiaq’s design is clean and balanced, unlike the Toyota Fortuner, which looks aggressive. The Sportline version in India has blacked-out trim and aggressive 18-inch alloy wheels. The premium L&K (Laurin & Klement) version, on the other hand, has chrome accents that make it look more elegant. Some critics say that the new model is less imposing than the first-generation model because it has softer edges and different proportions. However, the new model is more efficient because it has better aerodynamics (0.28Cd vs. 0.31Cd).
Inside: High-end comfort with useful features
When you get in the 2025 Kodiaq, you will notice that the cabin is a big improvement over the previous model. The dashboard is sleek and modern, with a 13-inch touchscreen for infotainment that has sharp graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a “favorites” bar that you can change. Skoda’s Smart Dials are smart rotary controls that let you quickly access features like climate control, volume, and drive modes. This means you don’t have to rely on the touchscreen as much while driving. Some reviewers, on the other hand, say that the power button for the infotainment screen is in an awkward spot and can be pressed by mistake.
The materials are very high quality, with soft-touch plastics, leatherette padding, and buttons that feel good to the touch, just like in high-end German SUVs. The L&K model in India has beige upholstery and wood-like trim. The Sportline model, on the other hand, has an all-black theme with sporty carbon-fiber and Alcantara-like inserts. Skoda’s “Design Selections” (Loft, Lounge, Suite Black, and Suite Cognac) come with matching interior materials. For an eco-friendly touch, you can choose from recycled fabrics and coffee bean-tanned leather.
The Kodiaq’s interior is full of Skoda’s “Simply Clever” features, like an umbrella in the driver’s door, a touchscreen wiper in the armrest, a clip for parking tickets, and door edge protectors that pop out. These little things make the Kodiaq a useful partner for family life.
Space and usefulness: A family’s dream
The Kodiaq is a great family SUV because it has a lot of room and flexible seating. The Kodiaq comes in five- or seven-seat versions (the plug-in hybrid only has five seats). The second row has plenty of head and leg room, and the bench can be split into 40/20/40 sections for even more flexibility. The third row, which is standard on most UK models, is best for kids or adults who don’t use it very often because there isn’t much room unless the second row is pushed forward.
The boot space is great: the five-seat plug-in hybrid has 745 liters of space (which can be expanded to 1,945 liters with the seats folded down), and the non-PHEV five-seater has a huge 910 liters of space. The Kodiaq has about 270 liters of cargo space, which is about the same as a small city car, even with all seven seats up. The Kodiaq’s trunk is competitive with those of competitors like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. However, the PHEV doesn’t come with a seven-seat option, which is a problem for bigger families.
Powertrains: Different and Effective
The 2025 Kodiaq comes with a lot of different powertrains to meet different needs. These include petrol, diesel, and a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option. All of the models have a DSG automatic transmission, and the more powerful ones can have four-wheel drive. Here is a list of the engines that are available:
The 1.5 TSI e-TEC (Mild-Hybrid Petrol) has a 148bhp 1.5-liter petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and get up to 47.4 mpg (five-seater). It’s perfect for people who want to be efficient without making things too complicated.
2.0 TSI (Petrol): A 201bhp 2.0-liter petrol engine with all-wheel drive gives you more power, but it uses a little more gas. In India, this engine makes 204bhp and 320Nm and is said to get 14.86kmpl (9-11kmpl in the city).
2.0 TDI (Diesel): The diesel engines come in two versions: 148bhp (front-wheel drive) and 190bhp (all-wheel drive). They have strong low-end torque and can get up to 53.2mpg. They are great for towing or driving long distances, but diesel fuel isn’t always easy to find (not in India).
1.5 TSI iV (Plug-In Hybrid): The Kodiaq iV has a 1.5-liter petrol engine and an electric motor with a 25.7kWh battery. It has 201bhp and an amazing electric-only range of 71–75 miles (50–60 miles in real life). It can charge quickly at 40kW (10–80% in 26 minutes) and is a good choice for company car drivers because it has a 6% BIK rating for 2025/26. But it only has five seats.
The sporty Kodiaq vRS, which is expected to come out in late 2025, has a 261bhp 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine and only seats seven people. It is the best choice for people who want a family SUV that performs well.
The powertrains are smooth and well-tuned. The PHEV has a quiet electric-only mode, and the petrol and diesel engines have plenty of low-end torque for easy city driving. Some markets, like Australia, say that the 2.0-liter petrol engine (140kW/320Nm) doesn’t have enough power for the Kodiaq’s nearly two-tonne weight, especially when passing on the highway.
Driving Comfort Over Sportiness
The Kodiaq 2025 is more about comfort and ease of driving than about exciting driving. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension make for a smooth ride that handles bumps well, but some reviewers say it feels a little stiff at low speeds. Even though it’s big, it’s easy to drive around town or park in tight spaces because the steering is light, the driving position is high, and the visibility is great.
The Kodiaq is easy to handle and doesn’t roll too much, but it’s not as fun to drive as a BMW X5 or Audi Q7. SportLine models come with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) as an option. This lets you change the dampers and turn on an off-road mode for light adventuring. The 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine in India feels responsive, with no noticeable turbo lag and smooth gear shifts in “Normal” mode. When you switch to “Sport” mode, the throttle response gets sharper, which makes acceleration faster.
A Reliable and Safe Partner
The Euro NCAP gave the 2025 Kodiaq a five-star safety rating, with 89% for protecting adults and 83% for protecting children. Standard safety features are multiple airbags, blind-spot monitoring, Turn Assist, Collision Avoidance Assist, and Crossroad Assist. However, at this price point, it’s important to note that some markets, like India, don’t have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey put Skoda in 13th place out of 31 brands, higher than Volkswagen and Peugeot but lower than Citroën. In most places, the Kodiaq comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. However, Hyundai (five years) and Kia (seven years) offer longer coverage.
Prices and value: competitive but not cheap
In the UK, the SE trim with the 1.5 TSI engine starts at £37,545 for the 2025 Kodiaq. The top-spec models cost £51,445. Prices for the Sportline and L&K models in India range from ₹46.89 lakh to ₹49.24 lakh. The Kodiaq is more expensive than the previous model, but it is still competitive with the Hyundai Santa Fe (£50,880+), Kia Sorento (£50,880+), and Toyota Fortuner. For many buyers, the price increase is worth it because of the extra features, bigger trunk, and PHEV option.
There are three trim levels: SE, SE L, and SportLine. The vRS model will come out later. The SE has 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch digital cluster. The SE L adds seven seats and more features. SportLine has sporty looks and 20-inch wheels. The L&K version in India comes with a 14-speaker Canton sound system and a panoramic sunroof, which are both luxury features.
The PHEV has a low 6% BIK rating (which will go up to 18% by 2028/29), making it a tax-efficient choice for people who drive company cars. However, some people may not want to buy it because it only has five seats.
Decision: The best family SUV in its class
The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq improves on an already successful design by adding more space, better technology, and a plug-in hybrid option for buyers who care about the environment. It stands out in the crowded seven-seat SUV market because of its high-end interior, useful features, and low price. The Kodiaq’s combination of comfort, versatility, and value is hard to beat, even though it doesn’t have a seven-seat PHEV and some markets (like India’s petrol-only lineup) have limited engine options.
The Kodiaq has more room inside than the Volkswagen Tiguan, is a better value than the Audi Q7 or BMW X5, and feels more premium than the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq is a great choice for families who want a roomy, well-equipped SUV that doesn’t cost a lot of money. “It’s the car parents should probably all buy,” said Top Gear.
