Skoda India launched the 2026
Kodiaq on May 11 2026 at a
significantly reduced starting
price of ₹36.99 lakh — down
₹3 lakh from the previous
₹39.99 lakh base price. The
2026 update adds Level 2 ADAS
on higher variants a 360 degree
camera on the Sportline and
an illuminated front grille
strip. The Kodiaq won Executive
SUV of the Year at the Autocar
India Awards 2026. Here is our
complete review.
What Is The Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq is Skoda India’s
flagship SUV — a full size
7 seater built on the same
MQB Evo platform as the
Volkswagen Tayron. It is locally
assembled in India at Skoda’s
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
facility making it significantly
more affordable than equivalent
fully imported European SUVs.
At ₹36.99 lakh it is ₹10 lakh
cheaper than the Volkswagen
Tayron while sharing the same
platform and powertrain.
Design — Understated European Elegance
The Kodiaq has Skoda’s signature
understated design with clean
lines the butterfly grille with
integrated LED strip split LED
headlights and a sloped roofline
that gives it a premium presence
without being flashy. The 2026
update adds an illuminated
front grille strip on the
Sportline variant making it
more distinctive at night.
Available in six colour options
including Bronx Gold Velvet
Red Race Blue Black Magic
Moon White and Graphite Grey
it offers good personalisation
for a flagship SUV.
Engine and Performance
The Kodiaq is powered by a
single 2.0 litre turbo petrol
engine producing 201bhp and
320Nm across all variants.
This is paired with a 7 speed
DSG dual clutch automatic
and 4 wheel drive as standard
— making every Kodiaq an AWD
car regardless of variant.
The 0-100kmph time is 8.5
seconds — composed and relaxed
rather than exciting.
ARAI claimed fuel efficiency
is 14.86 kmpl — honest for
a large AWD SUV. Real world
owners report 10 to 12 kmpl
in city driving and 14 to
15 kmpl on highways — typical
for a 2.0 litre turbocharged
AWD vehicle of this size.
The 2026 Update — ADAS Added
The most significant addition
in the 2026 Kodiaq is the
Level 2 ADAS suite on the
Sportline and Selection L&K
variants. Features include
adaptive cruise control lane
keep assist blind spot monitoring
forward collision warning with
braking support rear traffic
alert and exit warning. This
makes the Kodiaq the only
Skoda in India currently
offering ADAS — a meaningful
update that brings it in line
with rivals.
The Sportline also gets the
360 degree camera system
previously only available on
the top L&K variant — a
welcome addition that makes
parking the large Kodiaq
significantly easier.
Interior — Premium European Quality
The Kodiaq’s interior is where
it truly shines. The premium
material quality throughout
tight panel gaps and the overall
sense of solidity remind you
this is a European product
even when parked next to
Japanese rivals costing similar
amounts. The three zone climate
control 13 inch touchscreen
10.25 inch Virtual Cockpit
display Canton premium audio
system massaging front seats
with heating and ventilation
and panoramic sunroof make
the top L&K variant feel
genuinely luxurious.
Boot Space — Extraordinary
The Kodiaq’s boot space is
extraordinary. With all three
rows up there is 281 litres —
adequate for a weekend bag
each. Fold the third row and
it expands to 786 litres —
enough for 4 to 5 cabin trolleys.
Fold both rear rows and you
get a massive 1976 litres —
enough to haul a studio apartment’s
worth of belongings. This
makes it the most practical
SUV under ₹50 lakh in India
for luggage capacity.
Seven Seats — The Reality
The Kodiaq’s third row is
small — best suited for children
or short adults on shorter
journeys. It is not the most
comfortable third row in
its segment. Most Kodiaq
owners use it as a 5 seater
with the flexibility of occasional
7 seat use. The new Lounge
5 seater variant at ₹36.99
lakh is priced ₹3 lakh less
than the 7 seater Sportline
and makes more sense for
buyers who primarily need 5
seats with maximum boot space.
Safety — 9 Airbags Standard
9 airbags standard across
all Kodiaq variants is
exceptional — more than most
rivals in its segment. The
Kodiaq scored 5 stars in
Euro NCAP crash testing in 2024.
The addition of ADAS
on the 2026 Sportline and
L&K variants completes an
already strong safety package.
ABS with EBD hill start assist
hill descent control electronic
stability program ISOFIX
mounts and the park assist
system that takes over steering
for parallel and perpendicular
parking complete the safety
equipment.
Kodiaq vs Volkswagen Tayron
The Kodiaq and Tayron share
the same platform and engine
but have meaningful differences.
The Tayron is ₹10 lakh more
expensive but has a longer
wheelbase better third row
space and more advanced
technology. The Kodiaq wins
on value — offering 9 airbags
AWD 2.0 TSI and European
build quality for ₹10 lakh
less. For buyers who primarily
use the third row occasionally
the Kodiaq’s value proposition
is compelling.
Against the Toyota Fortuner
the Kodiaq wins on interior
quality technology and on
road refinement while the
Fortuner wins on off road
capability and resale value.
Price and Variants
The 2026 Kodiaq is available
in three variants. The Lounge
5 seater starts at ₹36.99
lakh the Sportline 7 seater
at ₹44.99 lakh and the
Selection L&K 7 seater at
₹46.99 lakh. The Kodiaq RS
performance variant is expected
to launch in September 2026
adding a sportier option
to the range.
Verdict
The 2026 Skoda Kodiaq with
its ₹3 lakh price reduction
and new ADAS suite is the
most compelling it has ever
been. For buyers who want
European premium feel AWD
capability extraordinary
boot space and 9 airbag
safety at a more accessible
price than the Volkswagen
Tayron the 2026 Kodiaq
is a genuinely excellent
choice. The Autocar India
Executive SUV of the Year
award confirms its position
as the benchmark premium
7 seater in India under
₹50 lakh.
