SKODA'S KODIAQ IV 2024 - A GAME CHANGER IN HYBRID SUVS

When you think of Skoda, several attributes come to mind. Good value for money is one, and the practical, simply clever details are another. It starts with the well-known umbrella in the door and now extends to the cleaning block for wiping down the touchscreen. Now the Czechs have made the Kodiaq a plug-in hybrid for the first time. Just a few years ago, part-time electric vehicles were considered a dead-end for electric mobility or, to put it a bit more positively, as bridging technology. The fact that Skoda is jumping on this bandwagon with the second generation illustrates the comeback of PHEVs. The Czech car manufacturer expects plug-in hybrids to account for about 15 percent of sales in Germany.

Skoda Kodiaq: new hybrid with 204 hp

The powertrain is the same as that of its technical brother, the Tiguan. So the plug-in hybrid in the Kodiaq iV also has a system output of 204 hp and a maximum torque of 258 ft-lb. The 1.5 TSI internal combustion engine comes from the EA 211 evo2 series and operates according to the Miller cycle, which results in high efficiency due to a high compression ratio and early closing of the intake valves, among other things. This unit is coupled with an electric motor that contributes 115 hp to the propulsion and is integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch transmission DQ400e evo. The electricity comes from a battery with a net capacity of 19.7 kilowatt-hours (gross 25.7 kWh). This should allow the Kodiaq II iV to travel more than 62 miles on electric power alone.

62 miles on electric power alone

The final values are not yet available. It's time to find out how the Kodiaq PHEV performs in everyday life. When getting in, we are welcomed by the Skoda world. New and yet somehow familiar: plenty of space, a 13-inch touchscreen, and a virtual 10.25 inch instrument cockpit. The optional head-up display is missing from our test vehicle. Solidly clicking rotary knobs and controls for the air vents feel high quality.

Let’s look at the drive: the battery is 87 percent charged and the onboard computer calculates a range of 58 miles. Skoda is also following the trend and moved the automatic shift lever to the steering column. We put it in D and off we go.

Good suspension in the Skoda Kodiaq

At the same time, we are confronted with the consequences of reducing the control elements. There is no longer a single lever for adjusting the driving mode. This adjustment is made either via the touchscreen or the central rotary knob directly underneath. This smart dial can be assigned four functions. These include the driving programs, the volume, or enlarging the map section of the navigation system. However, you always have to click through to get to the setting option you want, direct selection is not possible.

We focus on the driving modes and spend most of the time in Comfort or Normal mode, less in Sport and Eco or Individual. It's clear that you can't expect miracles in terms of dynamics from a 204 hp and nearly 1.9-ton vehicle, but you're moving fast enough. The support from the electric motor is noticeable, especially during acceleration. At higher revs, the hybrid duo runs out of steam a bit and the four-cylinder engine makes itself acoustically known. The improved adaptive DCC suspension, with dampers whose rebound and compression stages can be regulated separately, acts harmoniously in all modes, resulting in a finer and smoother ride than before.

What is the real-world consumption?

That leaves the consumption chapter. We left it up to the system to choose the appropriate drive and, after a distance of about 90 miles, rolled onto the yard with an electric residual range of about 0.6 miles. The consumption levelled off at 78 mpg and 30 kWh/100 miles. Quite decent. Once the battery is empty, of course, the thirst for gasoline shoots up.

That's why the recommendation is to plug in and charge as often as possible. With a maximum of 11 kW, the batteries are filled from ten to 80 percent in two and a half hours. With DC fast charging, up to 50 kW is possible and the same task is completed in 25 minutes. For increased safety, the Kodiaq now has a turning assistant, an intersection assistant, and an evasive assistant. Autonomous parking, where the car is directed by a cell phone, is to follow. The fact that the crossover also smoothly stays in its lane in highway curves is the best prerequisite for this.

At dealers by the end of May – for around $54,000

Since Skoda has always defined itself by its generous amount of space, the second generation of the Kodiaq has grown in length by 2.4 inches and now measures 15.6 feet, with an almost identical wheelbase of 9.2 feet (plus 0.04 inches). There is more than enough space in the rear of the new Kodiaq. The trunk volume can also increase: with the seven-seater, it's 12 to 29.9 cubic feet, without the third row, it's 32.1 cubic feet (plus 2.65 cubic feet).

No third row of seats due to the batteries

The Kodiaq IV has to forego the third row of seats due to the batteries. The trunk volume is also slightly smaller compared to the other versions. With a capacity of 26.3 to 68.7 cubic feet, the part-time electric vehicle is 5.83 to 5.65 cubic feet (with rear seats folded down) less than the five-seater with conventional drive, but still big enough.

The Skoda Kodiaq will be at dealers by the end of May. Prices start at $49,000 for the 1.5 l TSI mhev. How much the Kodiaq iV will cost is not yet known. We estimate at least $54,000. The second Kodiaq generation seems to be a success anyway. More orders have already been received than models were supposed to be produced this year. It's just as well that the RS version won't celebrate its world premiere until December. By the way, it won't be a PHEV. We're looking at the Octavia RS, which leads the way with 265 hp. With the SUV bonus, it should be 270 hp.

2024-04-09T13:06:24Z dg43tfdfdgfd