It's been four months since the second generation Skoda Kodiaq premiered in Berlin, and the Czech company's flagship crossover has finally entered production.
It comes to life at the Kvasiny factory in the Czech Republic, on the same assembly line as its predecessor, which is where the Superb used to be made, too. However, the latter's production was moved to Bratislava, Slovakia, which is where its platform-related sibling, the new-gen VW Passat, sees the light of day.
Dropping the Superb from Kvasiny has allowed Skoda to produce an extra 150,000 units annually of the Kodiaq mid-size and Karoq compact crossovers. According to the car manufacturer, the facility has received a €49-million ($53.4 million) cash injection to modernize the production line and welding shop, and it can build up to 410 units of the Kodiaq each day.
The second-generation Kodiaq builds on the success of its predecessor. Over 870,000 units of the first generation are estimated to have been made at factories in the Czech Republic, Ukraine, China, and Russia (until early 2022), with the model reaching customers in 60 markets worldwide.
Photo: Skoda
The old Kodiaq was based on the VW Group's MQB A2 platform, and the new one uses the MQB Evo, which ties it to the latest Volkswagen Tiguan, Passat, Golf, and Skoda Superb. The Audi A3, Q6, Cupra Formentor, SEAT Leon, and other models made under the VW Group's roof also utilize this architecture.
Looking like an evolution of the old one, the 2024 Skoda Kodiaq has new everything, including a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, physical and manual controls, a gear shift lever that moved to the steering column to free up space on the central tunnel, and a whole bunch of comfort, technology, and safety features.
Longer than the first generation, the 2024 Kodiaq is one of the most spacious vehicles in its segment. It has a 2,791 mm (109.9 in) long wheelbase, 110 mm (4.3 in) longer than the third-gen VW Tiguan, resulting in more space for backseat occupants and a superior cargo area. It is also available with an optional third-row, which benefits from improved headroom.
To no one's surprise, it is still offered with gasoline and diesel powertrains, joined by mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The latter is one of the family's highlights, mixing a 1.5L TSI with an electric motor for a total of 201 hp (204 ps/150 kW). The 25.7 kWh battery pack enables a 62-mile (100 km) range. This model comes with a six-speed DSG transmission and FWD, whereas the 1.5 TSI mild-hybrid, 2.0 TSI, and the two 2.0 TDI diesels are offered with a seven-speed DSG. The AWD system is reserved for the 2.0L gasoline and range-topping diesel.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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