BEAR NECESSITIES

The all-new Škoda Kodiaq comes in bearing a new style, a more potent heart, and a lot more kit. Can it establish itself in the demanding premium sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment? We drive it after hours in Maximum City

- Jim Gorde

PUNCHING WELL ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT IS what several Škoda models do rather regularly and have done for some time. The Octavia delivered premium thrill and quality. The Superb remains a credible challenger for German executive luxury sedans in terms of everything from size and equipment to feel and ride quality. And then there’s the big bear. Not the cluster of stars, no, but a star in its own right. A seven-seater, well-engineered, robust, fun, and practical SUV, complete with all-wheel drive, which can take on more premium offerings —including its Ingolstadt cousin—and hold its head high. Although they will not want me saying that. But with the Kodiaq, it’s clear that it is what it is. So, what's new in the new Kodiaq? Let’s start with that face.

The proportions are still generous. But the sharp lines appear more smoothed out at the edges and some hint of curvature. The face is markedly different because the grille is new and so are the headlights. There’s even an illuminated pattern between the grille slats which appear to connect the headlight clusters together. The tail-light clusters are new and hark back to the C-shaped design of early Škoda models. The Kodiaq is now under the “parts and components manufacturing” programme, meaning it is not imported nor assembled from a knocked-down kit. It has some components in both the engine and the structure which are locally sourced, and some of which are imported. Hence the starting price of Rs 46.89 lakh (ex-showroom). The Kodiaq is being offered in two variants, a dark-themed “Sportline” and the more luxury-oriented Selection L&K (Laurin & Klement, named after the company founders). We are driving the L&K.