Skoda’s brilliant all-rounder
THERE’S a new top choice in the medium crossover market that’s bigger and more desirable than rivals, most of which are more expensive.
It drives faultlessly, and as well as being reasonable to buy or on PCP, it’s one of very few available with the option of seven seats.
Enter the good looking Skoda Kodiaq, which is arguably the best all-rounder the company has produced, and able to match or better cars costing many thousands more.
It’s based on the same chassis as the VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca but as is Skoda’s usual practice, it has been stretched to give loads of legroom in the back and that option for an extra pair of seats in the boot.
I drove the 150bhp 2.0-litre diesel with a six-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive.
It is, quite honestly, absolutely smack on in every respect.
There are usually little niggles with the best of cars, but this one excels in every area.
The well-known engine used in vehicles across the VW group is smooth and quiet, happily pulling from about 1,400 revs in sixth gear.
It is also powerful enough for the weight, giving a 0 to 60mph time of well under 10 seconds, and excellent fourth gear urge for overtaking.
In the mid-range SE trim I tested, equipment includes an excellent auto-off parking brake, big alloys, seven airbags, sat nav with an eight-inch touchscreen and an excellent DAB stereo.
It also has loads of electronic safety devices, keyless entry and starting and parking sensors.
The Skoda Kodiaq is a brilliant all-rounder, right at the top of an SUV class that includes the VW Tiguan and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Don’t but anything else before driving it.
The Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4x4 I drove costs £27,300.