The high performance take on Skoda’s Kodiaq seven-seater SUV finally broke cover at the 2018 Paris Motor Show to become only the third-ever model to wear the vRS badge, after the Octavia and Fabia.
Skoda’s rival to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sorento has been a hit with critics and customers alike, so giving it the equivalent of the hot hatch treatment would only increase its popularity, right? Well, here’s everything you need to know about the Skoda Kodiaq vRS.
Engine
Driving the Kodiaq vRS is a bi-turbo two-litre diesel unit with a power output of 237bhp and 500Nm of torque.
It’s essentially the same engine you’ll find in the Tiguan and it comes linked to a seven-speed DSG gearbox and all-wheel-drive.
The engine can be switched into one of six different drive settings: eco, comfort, normal, sport, individual and snow. They’re all pretty self-explanatory and let the driver switch up the rate of the adaptive dampers to suit the road conditions.
A progressive steering system adjusts the speed of the rack too, shaping a more weighted, precise response when driving quickly or a lighter, quicker feel to make low speed driving easier.
How fast is it?
All this means it can get up to 62mph from rest in seven seconds dead with a top speed of 137mph.
To take the edge of the intrinsic rattle that comes with a diesel engine, Skoda has added a sound boost system that amplifies the engine’s exhaust note – a first for Skoda and a point certain to shape a more hot hatch experience.
What else is different?
Visually, the Kodiaq vRS makes no secret of its more ferocious nature, with styling given a shot of aggression.
Aside from the obvious vRS emblems, there’s a glossy black front grille, sporty side skirts and huge 20-inch wheels with red brake callipers peeping through. Completing the look is a roof-mounted spoiler and two bucket-sized exhaust pipes.
Inside, you’ll find plenty of vRS logos dotted around the cabin, such as on the alcantara seats with red contrast stitching.
The chassis has been tweaked to make the Kodiaq vRS feel sportier from behind the wheel too.
Who are the rivals?
There aren’t many sporty seven-seat SUVs, which raises the question: Does anyone even want a cranked-up Kodiaq?’
Skoda obviously thinks so, but the Kodiaq vRS’ competition is virtually non-existent, with the petrol-powered Audi SQ5 being one of the only things like it.
How much will it cost?
Skoda hasn’t named its asking price yet but expect it to ring in at around £40,000 when it goes on sale before the end of 2018.
For about that much dough, you could pick up a range-topping but not particularly sporty five-seat Tiguan.
It’s big and sporty, will filling it up bankrupt me?
No. Returning around 47mpg with CO2 emissions of 157g/km, the Kodiaq vRS is a surprisingly affordable runner. Especially considering the SQ5’s mpg meanders around the 30 mark.
Would you pick up a Kodiaq vRS? Let us know in the comments…
For more articles like this, receive our weekly e-newsletter, including partner deals and all things motoring, register your email below.
Please note: You cannot subscribe to Smart-Motoring unless you put a tick in the checkbox below to indicate have read and agreed to our privacy policy.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.