Skoda Kodiaq vs Toyota Fortuner
Both the Fortuner and Kodiaq are SUVs. Both offer go anywhere abilities. Both offer seven seats. Yet they are different from each other. We find out the better of the two
There is little to doubt that the world loves SUVs and the bigger it gets, the better it is. But is that fact or fiction? To answer that question, we present to you this road test in which we have the massive Toyota Fortuner take on the Skoda Kodiaq. Both are seven seat SUVs and offer ample off roading technology. There are also priced rather close to each other. So which one is better? Let’s find out.
EXTERIORS
The Fortuner got a major upgrade some time back and the new generation SUV looks even more imposing than before. If the sight of the older version was scary in the rear view mirror, this time round it will make you scoot! The large chrome grille and the sleek projector headlamp make the Fortuner look sporty and the overall dimensions add to its presence. In profile one can also make out how tall a vehicle this is. Ground clearance at 220mm is also something to boast off for this SUV. Quite clearly then, the Fortuner looks like a proper go anywhere vehicle. The Kodiaq on the other hand boasts of a very European flair. The front end design is unmistakably a Skoda thanks to the grille and the headlamp designs. In profile, the Kodiaq also shows off its wheel arches in a bid to add to the SUV flair. However when it comes to height, the Kodiaq at 1,676mm is much lower than the Fortuner which is 1,835mm tall. The ground clearance figure at 188mm is lower than the Fortuner.
INTERIORS
The first thing which differentiates the two vehicles here is the way one has to get in. While one can just slide into the Skoda, one has to haul himself into the Toyota. The saving grace here then is the side step. Once inside, the Toyota driver gets a commanding view of the road ahead. The driver is sitting high up and the driver’s seat is also electrically adjustable. While in the earlier generation, the dash of the Fortuner and the Innova were near identical, in this new gen model, things are unique to the Fortuner. The center console houses a touch screen infotainment device which offers a large display which is easy to use. There are plenty of buttons below it and then there is the all important rotary knob to play
IF THE SIGHT OF THE OLDER FORTUNER WAS SCARY IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, THIS TIME ROUND IT WILL MAKE YOU SCOOT
through the 4wd system. Space at the back is best described as plenty and then the third row is apt for children. Both the second and third row can be adjusted to increase boot space which makes this SUV pretty versatile. The Kodiaq feels plush inside and the seats all around are very comfortable. The dash also houses a touch screen system and the display is much classier. One also gets the option of choosing the colour for the ambient lighting system within the vehicle. While passengers in the second row have decent space, the third row occupants won’t be very comfortable. Much like the Fortuner, the Kodiaq also offers foldable seats which aids space utilization.
MECHANICAL BITS
The Fortuner is powered by a 2.8-litre oil burner which is mated to 6-speed automatic transmission. Power output is rated at 177bhp and then there is 450Nm of torque. Power
is sent to the rear wheel and then when required, there is a switchable 4wd system complete with 4wd high and low ratios. The Fortuner also uses a ladder frame chassis and this quite simply makes it a proper off roader. The Kodiaq makes do with Volkswagen group’s 2.0-litre diesel engine and in the Kodiaq, it is tuned to offer 150bhp and 340Nm of torque. The Kodiaq is also an AWD vehicle which means that power is sent to rear wheels on demand. Adding to its more modern approach, the Kodiaq is based on a monocoque chassis.
ON THE ROAD
Let’s begin by saying that there is a huge difference between the two here as far as the driving experience goes. The Fortuner starts up with a meaty burble and the whole thing shakes once revved up in neutral. That’s testimony to the raw nature of this beast. It takes off pretty easy as well and surprisingly quick for a vehicle which weighs close to a tonne. In city, there is ample power and torque to allow the Fortuner to effortlessly glide through and on the highway it does have the ability to sprint. The six speed gearbox though is the only thing which does not live up to expectations. The gearbox feels slow and this is especially the case when a downshift is required. The motor revs up and while there is a lot of activity happening, translating the same to acceleration takes time. Toyota also offers paddle shifters on the Fortuner. While it is a handy feature to have, the gearbox plays spoilt sport. The Fortuner also feels heavy to drive and this is primarily the case with the steering set up. Lock to lock turns a tiresome, but what
THE FORTUNER STARTS UP WITH A MEATY BURBLE AND THE WHOLE THING SHAKES ONCE REVVED UP IN NEUTRAL. THE KODIAQ FEELS SMOOTHER THOUGH
makes things up is the low turning circle of just 11.6m. When it comes to feedback, the setup feels good too. Another feather in the cap of the Fortuner is the go anywhere capability. One does not need to back off any obstacle. Be it the pot holes or dirt trails, the driver sure feels confident. The Fortuner’s shift on the fly 4wd system is brilliant too. One can choose between two, four wheel high and low. So just in case one gets into a precarious position off the road, all one has to do is to shift to low ratio which transforms the vehicle into a mountain goat. From then on the Fortuner can relentlessly go on.
Driving the Kodiaq is a completely different experience. The engine on start up feels very smooth and at the same time there are very little vibes creeping in. Sure one can hear a bit of the crackle inside the cabin, but nothing alarming. But what sets the Kodiaq apart from the Fortuner is power delivery. The thing takes off with extreme ease and reaches rather high speeds with very little effort. Apart from the light weight what makes the Kodiaq more special to drive is the state of the art 7-speed
DSG gearbox. The shifts are seamless and downshifts are quick. In this kind of set up, the paddle shifters become proper toys to utilize. Pull the paddle shifter and the Kodiaq downshifts quick and instantly takes off making overtaking a breeze. Adding to the driving experience is the steering set up. In typical Soda fashion, the Kodiaq’s steering feels light and at the same time it offers ample feedback. Driving in the city is easy too. While the Kodiaq takes more space than the Fortuner to turn around, the set up makes the job easier. The Kodiaq is also endowed with a very well balanced suspension set up which works wonders in offering ample comfort for the passengers. At the same time the compact dimensions help reduce body roll. So it will be more fun to drive around corners as compared to the fortuner. But the biggest difference is that the Kodiaq driver will not feel tired after a daylong outing. The Kodiaq also comes with AWD technology which makes life simpler for the driver. The SUV is quite capable off the road, but the lower clearance and larger overhangs mean that the Fortuner will be more apt in the wild.