• Modern interior dominated by large touchscreen
• Physical multi-purpose climate dials are a great touch
• Quality is excellent 

How is the quality and layout?

The second-gen Kodiaq ushers in a new interior design that’s quite different from the previous version of this SUV. Cleverly, though, Skoda has retained some physical buttons, with a neat innovation it calls Smart Dials. These are a trio of multi-purpose controls that can be used to change the volume, climate temperature, fan speed, driving mode, and activate the heated seats.

They’re a great way of reducing the button count by retaining physical switchgear, and work really well. The two outer dials control the temperature for each passenger and the heated seats, while the central dial is the one with up to four uses, changing function every time you press it.

54

The faux aluminium material they’re made from should be improved, however, as that’s the only element that lets the quality of the interior down, and is one of the features you interact most with. Otherwise, the cabin is very smart indeed, with lots of upmarket and recycled materials used. There’s even a Cognac leather interior option that we like a lot.

The layout perhaps isn’t quite as smart as we’ve come to be used to from Skoda, however. The digital instrument cluster looks a bit of an afterthought and while the ambient interior lighting looks great, at night it reflects in the door mirrors and can prove distracting. 

Infotainment and tech

Regardless of which Kodiaq you choose, it will come with a huge 13.0-inch touchscreen. The software it uses can prove a bit daunting at first, but it’s logically laid out and easy to configure. There’s less reliance on using it on the move than some rivals courtesy of the aforementioned dials. But if you need to, the digital buttons are large and easy to press. 

54

Skoda has made some noticeable advancements on the technology front, both in terms of within the screen and elsewhere. A head-up display is available for the first time, as are advanced Matrix LED headlights. Both are optional and are quite expensive – as are most of Skoda’s extras so it’s worth considering carefully which options you can do without as otherwise the Kodiaq’s price can jump significantly. These are expensive as optional extras, however.

Comfort 

• Superb seats
• Brilliant seating position
• Rear passengers will travel happily

If you’ve got a lot of miles to do, there are few better cars to do it in at this price than the Kodiaq. We have frequently driven over 150 miles in a single journey – our long-term tester CJ Hubbard’s commute is over 160 miles each way – and found we always got out feeling comfortable and refreshed. The seats are excellent, with lots of support and adjustment so getting a comfortable driving position shouldn’t be difficult.

If you’re a particularly high mileage driver, the Convenience Plus Package is worth considering. This brings electrical seat adjustment and additional lumbar support plus a bonus massage feature. But at more than £2,000, it’s an expensive option.

54

Middle-row passengers will also be more than happy to spend hours at a time in the Kodiaq. Generously sized windows mean that even young children should be able to see out from their car seats. The seatback angle is adjustable and the seat base slides forwards and back, depending on how much leg or luggage room you need. Standard three-zone climate control means temperature is easily adjusted in this area, too.

The rear-most row in seven seater versions isn’t a huge space, but we have packed adults away back there without too much complaint. Older children – there are no Isofix mounting points back there – should be fine.