Skoda had an outstanding year in 2021, with the Kushaq pushing the sales to new highs for the Czech manufacturer. The next made-in-India product from the manufacturer is the Skoda Slavia and is slated to release in March this year, but they obviously cannot let the heat die down. So they are bringing in the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq, and here is everything you need to know about the upcoming 3-row SUV.
New Engine
The most important update is under the hood, and the previous 2.0-litre TDi engine is being replaced by the new 2.0-litre TSi turbo-petrol engine. This engine makes 190PS and 320Nm of power and torque, respectively and will be paired with a 7-speed DSG gearbox. It also gets all-wheel drive as standard across all the variants as well as other features like hill-descent control.
Redesigned Looks
The exterior is slightly tweaked with a new fascia and redesigned rear end along with newly designed alloy wheels. The front end features the wide Skoda grille, newly designed headlamps and fog lamps, a more upright bonnet, and a new bumper with the airdam running across the width. At the rear, it has more angular LED taillamps, a new bumper design and a new spoiler.
Adaptive Dampers
The previous model of the Skoda Kodiaq had regular dampers, while the new 2022 model has an adaptive damper which Skoda calls Dynamic Chassis Control. This means the suspension setup changes dynamically along with the ride mode you select. This means in comfort mode, the suspension gets softer, and in sports mode, it becomes stiffer. This is an added advantage with the off-road mode available in the Kodiaq.
Features
The feature list on the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq is really long, so you better grab your popcorn before we start with it. It comes with a 2-spoke steering wheel as seen on the Kushaq, new seats with new upholstery that are ventilated and have massaging functions. A 10.15-inch updated digital instrument cluster with five different modes along with a host of information and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the middle that has wireless android auto, apple carplay and several other connectivity features. The audiophiles will like the fact that the music system has been updated to a premium 12-speaker Canton system. Other features like the panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, 360-degree cameras and auto-parking are continued from the previous version.
Safety
You can expect the Skoda Kodiaq to be very safe as it has a lot of active and passive safety features to protect you and your loved ones. It starts with nine airbags as standard across all variants, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist, Multi-Collision Braking, Electronic Diff-lock, etc.
Rivals and Price
On its release, it will compete with the 3-row SUVs in the market, and in its price segment, you have the Toyota Fortuner and the MG Gloster as its main rivals. Compared to them, the Skoda Kodiaq is more soft-roader than the Fortuner but definitely feels more upmarket when it comes to the interiors. The MG Gloster and Skoda Kodiaq go head to head with the features and drivability, so they are a close match, and one needs to consider driving them back to back to make a better decision. The Kodiaq is expected to be priced at around Rs.35 lakh price bracket, but we will only know for sure on January 10, 2022.
What do you feel about the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq? Do you think it will be a hit or a miss? Also, let us know what changes Skoda should make when the Kodiaq is launched here and how it will fare against its rivals.
