Skoda Kodiaq vRS
HOW much vRS DNA can you inject into a seven-seat, diesel SUV? A fair bit, as it happens. The Kodiaq vRS taps into today’s trend of sporting SUVs, and while a 4x4 is an unlikely candidate for the vRS treatment, it’s effective: it’s the fastest seven-seater to lap the Nürburgring.
You’d be hard pressed to notice any vRS traits at normal speeds – a vRS hallmark. You sit high, and although this is a large SUV, the linear, accurate steering allows it to shrink around you more than expected. The ride is the plushest of all the models tested here, and the DSG gearbox is slick, limiting the noise from the 2.0-litre diesel engine.
The Kodiaq emits a synthetic warble through the speakers to mask the diesel clatter. Its 1,880kg is respectable for a seven-seat SUV, and the linear, pure combustion power is refreshing after the inconsistent response of the Octavia PHEV. Batting the paddles keeps the car in its sweet spot, at which point the Kodiaq moves at a decent, if not rapid, pace.
The real surprise is in the corners. It’s not super-sharp, but it remains composed and capable. The high-set chassis doesn’t communicate quite as well as the Octavia vRS iV’s, but the increased centre of gravity provides an extra layer to the dynamics. Where the Octavia will carve through difficult roads unflustered, the Kodiaq allows the driver to pitch the car in and use weight transfer to manipulate the balance. They’re subtle movements that don’t require correction, but they serve as a reminder that the car is near the edge. Unsurprisingly, the big Kodiaq is at its weakest on the brakes, but overall, this is a more gratifying car than the hybrid Octavia vRS on a
challenging road – shock horror.