Škoda enhances its Kodiaq iV SUV with plug-in hybrid energy

What’s in a reputation? Škoda’s resolution to re-emphasise the caron diacritic above the ‘Š’ in its identify coincided with a recent dedication to design and utility. The historic Czech model was belayed by brickbats all through its time as an Japanese Bloc producer, just for the criticism to soften away as soon as it was beneath the stewardship of the VW Group. Fashionable Škodas stand for worth, sturdiness and no-nonsense, classless simplicity.

That is the newly refreshed Kodiaq iV, a automobile that offsets its quirky identify with a comparatively dour character, and which is offered with each an environment friendly hybrid set-up and moderately extra standard ICE powertrains. We skilled the latter on a lush route across the Ring of Kerry in Eire, the place open skies and open roads allowed the high-riding SUV to shine. Other than a brief detour onto the open expanses of an area seashore, the Kodiaq iV’s off-road capabilities weren’t examined.

That’ll in all probability be how most homeowners use the automobile, which has ‘household pleasant’ written throughout it; basic each day duties with the lightest of duties off the tarmac. In lots of respects, the Kodiaq iV goes face to face with Škoda’s personal Enyaq iV , a pure EV SUV of comparable measurement and mission. However whereas the Enyaq is zero emission and can also be obtainable because the rakish Enyaq Coupé (and the neat 80 FestEVal camper), the principle resolution for Kodiaq consumers is whether or not to go for ICE or PHEV.

The latter is a part of an electrification push that features the brand new Excellent iV PHEV and the upcoming Elroq EV and wasn’t obtainable to check at time of writing. We’ve a hunch that’ll it’s the one to decide on, nevertheless, not least as a result of the most recent technology of hybrid tech combines a welcome bump in EV vary (as much as 75 miles on this case), in addition to wonderful financial system and glowing efficiency.

Exterior design follows Škoda’s tastefully angular kind language. The silver ‘D’ pillar and cantilevered rear mild bar add a contact of distinction to what’s in any other case a reasonably pragmatic styling train. If something, the 18” wheels are a contact undersized for the physique, an impact exacerbated by the black plastic trim that flanks the wheelarches.

The place the Kodiaq scores extra extremely is in inside area, being a tad longer and taller than its electrical stablemate. There’s additionally the choice of seven seats in the usual ICE fashions, together with a bunch of different quirky however useful inside capabilities, one thing that Škoda has prioritised in recent times.

These contains area to wirelessly cost two smartphones, together with devoted smartphone pockets behind the entrance seats, umbrellas within the doorways (taking a cue from Rolls-Royce) and considerate equipment like an ice scraper that stows away within the gasoline filler cap.

Throughout the VW Group, Škoda appears to be carrying the can for the form of strong however reasonably priced design that was as soon as the purview of Volkswagen itself. If you happen to’re nonetheless a bit of phobic of the inevitable EV domination, the Kodiaq iV will aid you stave off radical change for a bit of longer.

Škoda Kodiaq iV SE PHEV from £41,935, Kodiaq SE from £36,645, Skoda.co.uk