Driving Skoda’ Kodiaq all-wheel-drive seven-seat SUV today, updated last year,
it’s one of my favourite large SUV’s. Outside, slightly revised bumper and bonnet
design, inside a redesigned perforated leather steering wheel and updates to its
smartphone charging and connectivity. I drove the entry 2.0-litre 132kW turbo
seven-speed automatic Kodiaq Style at $54,990 drive-away, far from entry. Highly
packaged it exudes class with some nice finishes, the test car further optioned
with a $6,700 luxury pack adding tri-zone climate control, electric front seats,
heated and cooled front seats, full leather seat trim, LED headlights and lane
assist with adaptive lane guidance. The overall package size appealing, some
nice touches like an umbrella in the driver’s door, and a handy slot in the centre
console for the inevitable smart key. Seat comfort in the first two rows excellent
but cramped at best in the third row. The steering wheel now incorporates rollers
on each arm for controlling infotainment functions, so easy to use – while the 9.2-
inch infotainment screen itself comes with a relatively simply menu. The global
chip shortage disappointingly saw some of the Kodiaq’s specification deleted like
the surround view camera. But still a very well packaged 7-seat SUV. And now
with a 7-year/unlimited km warranty.

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