The engine is frugal, in our mix of city-highway runs (moderate traffic conditions) and sudden bursts of acceleration, the car returned a lower double digit fuel efficiency (~10.6 kmpl)
BHPian GautamJ recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
About The Event
Firstly, the event was remarkable. It is undeniable that acquiring two-way automobile conversions is an uncommon occurrence, and this event spanned from 12:30 pm to nearly 8:00 pm, engaging in an extensive conversation. It undoubtedly stands as a memorable experience.
Secondly, BHPians are so welcoming. No one can ever feel left out.
Thirdly, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the moderators. Reviewing a car in a short time frame is a challenging task that requires thorough knowledge of the vehicle, careful evaluation of various factors, identification of suitable shooting locations, consideration of weather conditions, and adherence to time constraints.
Regarding the Drive Conclusions section, it is important to add a disclaimer that my analysis may be biased. I found myself naturally comparing our XEV 9E with the Kodiaq, which may have resulted in an incomplete comparison. I apologise for this oversight.
Šimply Clever Touches
1. The ambient light on the door transitions to red whenever the door is opened. 
2. Those 3 digital dials on the centre console, fairly old school vibes in new tech.
3. Pop-out door edge protectors have made a comeback, providing effective protection until they fail.
4. All the cabin lights border are illuminated when Headlights are on. Why Clever? Cabin lights are touch operated and are easy find in dark IMHO.
5. The welcome function, which enables the seat to slide back and down for effortless egress and ingress, is not limited to the driver’s seat but also extends to the co-driver’s seat.
Not so Clever?
1. Driver seat adjusted for ~5’9” person, the seat rails are visible from back seat, no issues on visually, however, the absence of plastic covers at the ends of the rails raises concerns about potential safety hazards for the rear passengers.
2. Wiper stalk, headlight stalk (only for pass-by and high beam), and turn indicators are merged into one single stalk. Why? Who hurt you Skoda?
3. The sideboards are not fully covered by the door. Consequently, during rains, this can cause jeans/pants to get soiled while ingress/egress. 
4. The electric parking brake switch was relatively straightforward to locate, but the auto-hold button remained elusive. During our drive, we were unable to locate it. However, we later got to know that it’s hidden in the 13” infotainment system.
2025 Skoda Kodiaq: Pros and Cons
Pros :-
1. Ergonomics was almost flawless, with the exception of the aforementioned stalk.
2. ORVMs offer a great view.
3. NVH is good for the most part, even with single-pane windows. Additionally, engine noise is perceptible to rear passengers during acceleration exceeding approximately 1,800 rpm.
4. The car is smooth if driven with a light foot. DSG upshifts are smooth.
5. The interior looks fresh and upmarket.
6. The seat massagers for both front seats warrant a special mention.
7. Tyres had absolutely no Aqua planning. 
8. Rare car to still have rear foglamps, reflector and puddle lamps on front doors (at least). 
9. Rear Child Locks (for each side) lock both windows and the door.
10. A 5 year warranty that can be extended to 8 years! More brands should adopt this practice.
11. As a dieselhead, I must admit that my experience with petrol engines is limited. However, the 2.0L TSi engine is widely recognised for its power delivery and specs. The engine is frugal, in our mix of city-highway runs (moderate traffic conditions) and sudden bursts of acceleration, the car returned a lower double digit fuel efficiency (~10.6 kmpl).
12. Despite the current generation Kodiaq omitting the DCC feature, it maintains an optimal balance between ride comfort and handling. Don’t think any owner will be complaining of a lack of DCC.
Cons :-
1. Adjustable cup holder plastic in the centre console, and the manually adjustable window sunshade clips are cheap. 
2. At best, it’s a 5+2 seater.
3. Looks, though subjective, I prefer the looks of the previous generation. Just unable to overlook the rear overhangs and the rear look. 
4. No ADAS is like a suicide mission. Skoda should refrain from dictating how customers intend to utilise this feature. ADAS extends beyond AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) to encompass BSDS (Blind Spot Detection System), which I firmly believe offers considerable benefits even in city driving conditions.
5. A slight delay can be noticed when paddle shifters are used.
6. The absence of a HUD and the inability to project Google Maps (via Android Auto) or Apple Maps (via Apple Carplay) onto the Virtual Cockpit are drawbacks. Furthermore, the complexity of the infotainment system’s navigation and feature toggling options often leads to difficulty in selecting between navigation and other functions.
7. The overlay for low-speed obstacle detection via parking sensors is poorly executed. Instead of being displayed on the infotainment system, it would be more beneficial to implement it into the instrument cluster (virtual cockpit).
8. Glove Boxes are of average size. Owners upgrading from Rapid and Octavia might be disappointed.
9. Canton’s performance was subpar, potentially attributed to the shift in perspective from “cons” to “pros” during the configuration of settings.
10. Although the door pockets appear to be felt-lined, it seems that the process has only been partially made up.
Punches above its weight?
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
