SEVEN UP!

2025 ŠKODA KODIAQ

- Saneet Dsilva

The second generation of the Škoda Kodiaq does not attempt to reinvent itself. In fact, it makes a deliberate effort not to. Rather than chasing the latest trends or over-engineering for attention, it leans into careful refinement. The result is a car that is longer, quieter, smoother, and more thoughtfully put together. While every new SUV in the market wants to make a spectacle of itself, the Kodiaq's restraint feels almost refreshing. There is no bluster here. No fake sportiness. No exaggerated, rugged posturing. Škoda understands its customer, and it understands that the Kodiaq's job is to be a competent, comfortable, and well-engineered seven-seat SUV. For the most part, that is precisely what it is.

There are, of course, a few oddities. A badge at the rear proclaims “4x4,” which is not entirely accurate. The new Smart Dials represent an inventive approach to cabin controls, though not without their compromises. And the third-row seats still feel like an optimistic afterthought. Nevertheless, what the Kodiaq offers is a quietly convincing case for sensible ambition. It does not try to do everything. It tries to do what matters, and it tries to do it well.

From a distance, the new Kodiaq is unmistakable as a Škoda. The shape is familiar, but the details have evolved. The new octagonal grille, now with an integrated LED light strip, looks more upmarket. The crystalline matrix LED headlights are sharp and modern. At the rear, a new C-shaped taillamp completes the refresh. Everything appears well resolved, with a level of fit and finish that suggests German engineering delivered on a slightly more pragmatic Czech budget.