Skoda Kodiaq vRS long-term test: report 3

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS is the Czech brand’s first ever sports SUV. So, what’s it like to live with?...

LT Skoda Kodiaq vRS full of people

The car Skoda Kodiaq vRS Run by: Steve Huntingford, editor

Why it’s here To see if Skoda’s first attempt at a sports SUV is special enough to justify its big price tag

Needs to Offer a sporty drive and a premium feel without sacrificing the comfort and practicality that Skoda is more commonly associated with


Price £42,895 Price as tested £44,860 Miles 5124 Official economy 35.3mpg Test economy 37.4mpg Options fitted Panoramic sunroof (£1175), Canton sound system (£405) and rear-view camera including full LED rear lights (£385)


17 May – Practically perfect

The term MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle, was originally coined to describe traditional people carriers such as the Renault Espace and Vauxhall Zafira. However, if anything, I reckon my Skoda Kodiaq vRS and other large SUVs are even more versatile.

I, for example, value the mix of comfort, performance and style that my car offers – the latter two being qualities rarely found in MPVs. And yet, when a colleague suddenly found himself needing to borrow a seven-seater for the weekend after his own broke down, the Kodiaq proved itself to be more than up to the job.

Okay, its third-row seats aren’t huge, but that’s also the case in most MPVs and two children were still perfectly happy in them. What’s more, even with all the seats in place, there was room in the boot for the family dog – and we’re not talking about a Chihuahua.

LT Skoda Kodiaq vRS dog in boot

Indeed, when it comes to practicality, choosing the sporty vRS model over a more mainstream Skoda Kodiaq requires you to compromise in just one area: underfloor storage.

This is usually another Kodiaq strength, but it's quite limited in the vRS because the battery sits bang smack in the middle of the underfloor area instead of its usual home beneath the bonnet.

Still, at least the vRS retains all of the other practical touches that help make the Kodiaq one of the best large SUVs around, ranging from the numerous in-car cubbies to plastic protectors that automatically pop out when you open a door to ensure you don’t chip the paint.

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