2024 Skoda Kodiaq revealed, Australian release confirmed

Skoda has rolled out the second generation of its large SUV, the Kodiaq, in Europe overnight.

While it retains its Volkswagen Group MQB platform underpinnings, the latest Skoda Kodiaq adopts a brace of new safety tech, as well as a plug-in hybrid option.

Bigger and sleeker than the version that came before it, the new Kodiaq will drop into Australia late in 2024 with a single variant from launch, a 150kW petrol-powered AWD seven-seater.

This variant will rely on the group’s ubiquitous EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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Click any photo in this story to see our full Kodiaq gallery

Skoda Australia says it will focus on this single variant at launch and will “evaluate further opportunities” to add to the range.

This could potentially include the 1.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid, which is a first for the Czech brand.

Matching a combined output of 150kW with a 25.7kWh battery, the Kodiaq PHEV offers a claimed electric range of more than 100km.

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More room, softer design

On the outside, the Kodiaq adopts a softer, more stylised design, with a more shapely nose treatment, a swept roof and a more straightforward rear-end treatment, complete with a diffuser.

The distinctive ‘four-eye’ headlight design remains, with new Top LED Matrix headlight units standard across the range.

Skoda claims the new lamps offer 50 per cent more light segments and 15 per cent more light output than previously.

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The 2024 Skoda Kodiaq is 60mm longer, now coming in at 4758mm long. This has the effect of improving luggage capacity.

With all three rows of the seven-seater in place, capacity jumps by a claimed 70 litres to 340 litres, while dropping the third row nets 845 litres (up a claimed 80 litres).

It’ll be offered in Selection and Sportline grades, and if Skoda Australia’s experience with high-specced variants is anything to go by, our version of the Kodiaq will be stuffed to the gills with gear.

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Big screen and big dials

Speaking of gear, a new floating 13-inch infotainment screen takes pride of place in the made-over cabin, with multi-function rotary dials and push-button steering wheel controls thankfully doing away with at least some of the haptic controls that have blighted other VW Group products of late.

A new Phone Box can charge two mobiles at once at 15W and also provides a cooling function to keep charging temps in check.

There are also four USB-C ports scattered throughout the cabin, plus an additional port behind the rear-view mirror for dash cams.

The gear shifter has also been relocated to the steering column, freeing up real estate between the front seat occupants.

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Click any photo in this story to see our full Kodiaq gallery

Updated safety and remote parking

The safety suite aboard the new Kodiaq is comprehensive and includes Turn Assist, Collision Avoidance Assist, Crossroad Assist, Exit Warning, Automated Emergency Braking (pedestrian rear) and Intelligent Park Assist.

Optional features include Trained Parking, which adds the ability to record approaches to up to five parking spaces and replicate them on demand.

Remote Parking, meanwhile, lets a driver control the car from up to five metres away via a smartphone app.

Debut of DCC Plus

On the suspension side, the Kodiaq can be specced with a brand new chassis control system known as DCC Plus, which adds the ability to individually control bump and rebound damping within the shock from the driver's seat.

Previously, both damping jobs were controlled by a single valve. The new system doesn’t, however, mean a ride height drop for the Kodiaq.