DESIGN & ENGINEERING

AS with its two rivals here, the Skoda is underpinned by a modular platform, allowing the architecture to be scaled depending on the size of the car. The Kodiaq is the largest model based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, making this a thoroughly modern SUV.

Under the bonnet there’s some advanced engineering to reinforce this, because it uses Skoda’s 148bhp 1.4-litre TSI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This features Active Cylinder Technology, which means the engine can shut down two of its four cylinders under light loads to improve efficiency.

On manual Kodiaq models such as this one four-wheel drive is standard, hence the higher CO2 emissions of 156g/km. However, all-wheel drive isn’t available on either of its petrol rivals here, so if you will be venturing further off-road the Skoda is likely to be the more capable vehicle. You can also get this engine with a dual-clutch automatic box; it’s only two-wheel drive but is more efficient at 143g/km.

Elsewhere, the car’s construction and suspension system matches up to its rivals’. This SE trim level (although our pictures show an SE L model) is the closest to the Peugeot on price, but while it undercuts its competitors at £27,235, it doesn’t get quite as much kit. You’ll need to spec sat-nav at £755, taking the price close to the Peugeot’s, but this is still less than the next step up, the £30,035 SE L, which is £1,840 more than the equivalent Peugeot’s.

SE trim gets Bluetooth, DAB and Skoda’s Smartlink+ smartphone connectivity system, as well as cruise and climate control, 18-inch wheels and parking sensors, so apart from the omission of sat-nav on the Skoda, the core specs are the same.