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Skoda's idea of a performance mid-sized SUV is different to many other rival brands - and more appealing for that. The Kodiaq vRS was converted to petrol power as part of the MK1 design's mid-life update in 2021 and sells for the kind of money that could alternatively buy you a faster premium-badged crossover. But this seven-seat Czech contender delivers more character, more space and family flexibility, more traction, more equipment: more of just about everything really. None of which would matter if this wasn't really a credible piece of performance engineering. But, rather surprisingly, it actually is.
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History
In the normal run of things, you wouldn't consider a Skoda Kodiaq, the Czech brand's mid-to-large 7-seat 'D'-segment SUV, as being an ideal candidate for performance engineering. It's a family conveyance intended for suburbia rather than Silverstone. Firming it up, adding on a body kit and shoe-horning a powerful engine beneath the bonnet ought to make little sense.
Yet, against the odds, it did with the original version of the Kodiaq vRS, which featured a bi turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine and was one of our favourite family SUVs, until emissions legislation forced this variant out of production. Unwilling to abandon the idea of a sporty Kodiaq, in 2021 Skoda re-introduced this top variant to the line-up as part of this model line's mid-term update, this time with 2.0-litre TSI petrol power. Surprising Skoda? In this case, yes. The Kodiaq vRS sold in this form until early 2024, when it was replaced by a second generation model.
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What you get
Skoda dressed the Kodiaq vRS carefully to match its premium performance station in life. So there are eye-catching 20-inch 'Sagitarius' alloy wheels, along with red 'vRS' badges on the nose and tail. Plus sleeker bumpers front and back, big bore dual exhaust tips and gloss back finishing for the roof rails, wing mirrors, window frames and front grille. None of this does anything to disguise this SUV's quite prodigious size; at around 4.7-metres in length, it's one of the biggest VW Group models to be spun off the conglomerate's MQB platform.
Inside, you get carbonfibre trim and the obligatory sports steering wheel, plus aluminium pedals and sports seats upholstered in grippy alcantara fabric. There's a standard 9.2-inch centre-dash infotainment touchscreen and Skoda includes its 10.25-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instrument binnacle.
And in the rear? Well the second row bench features all the versatility you'd want from this kind of seven-seat SUV, so the backrest reclines for greater comfort on long journeys and the base slides back and forth by up to 180mm. So, what's it like in the third row? Well there, you're quickly reminded that this is an SUV, not an MPV. Overall though, the space in the very back isn't really any more restricted than it would be in any other mid-sized SUV of this kind - and uncomplaining adults joining you for short journeys will probably be quite glad of it.
What about cargo capacity? With the tailgate raised, a huge aperture is revealed, complete with a usefully low loading sill. Most of the time, owners of seven-seat Kodiaq models are probably going to be using their cars with the rearmost seats folded into the floor, an action easy and simple to complete. In which case there's 630-litres of space on offer with the middle row sensibly positioned. Fold the second row bench and a class leadingly-large 2,005-litre space is revealed (or 2,065-litres in a five seat-only model).
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What to look for
Our ownership survey came up with a few things. In some cases, the door handles creak when you grab them. We've also heard of issues with the front assist sensors and the trunk cover which occasionally is stopped from rolling back. Other owners have reported premature wear of wheels, rattling sounds and parts of the upholstery coming apart. Check out all the electrics. In one case the key fob opening only the tailgate halfway. There have also been issues with door guards jamming out and getting knocked off. There have also been some reported issues with the Mirrorlink aspect of the infotainment system, so make sure that the screen pairs properly to your smart phone. Otherwise, it's just the usual things: signs of interior child damage and the interior scratches and the alloy wheels caused through poor parking. Insist on full service history.
There's a product recall we should tell you about. For models made between 2020 and 2022, there was a recall regarding engine design covers that might come loose from their attachment. Make sure that the Kodiaq vRS you're looking at has had this recall issue addressed if it applies.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 2021 Kodiaq 2.0 TSI vRS excl. VAT) A pair of front brake pads are around £55; rears are around £20-£67. A pair of front brake discs start at about £57-£88; rears are around £26-£80. A water pump is around £45. Air filters sit in the £10-£31 bracket. Oil filters cost around £9-£17. A wiper blade is around £10-£17. A water pump is around £103. A rear lamp is around £176-£229. A pollen filter is around £8-£27.
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On the road
In place of the previous bi turbo 240PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit, the Kodiaq vRS in this post-2021 form uses the VW Group's familiar 2.0 TSI petrol powerplant, the same one offered by lesser Kodiaqs with 190PS, but here tuned up to 245PS. The 62mph from rest sprint occupies just 6.6s, 1.1s quicker than the lesser 190PS 2.0 TSI model can manage. It's also nearly half a second faster than the old diesel vRS.
Various drive modes are on offer and thanks to standard adaptive damping, those settings influence ride quality - as well as steering feel, throttle response and the change timings of the DSG paddleshift auto gearbox that's necessary to harness the twin turbo powerplant's prodigious grunt. Plus there are huge brakes and proper off road tractional capability too, including a selectable 'Snow' mode. In addition, you can tow a trailer weighing up to 2.5-tonnes. It's all very practical.
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Overall
Skoda's vRS model line dates back to an Octavia with that badge launched back in 2001 featuring a 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine with 180hp. At the wheel of this modern interpretation of what vRS branding can mean, it's instructive to consider how things have advanced since. Though the Kodiaq vRS weighs far more than that old Octavia and can stow far more luggage and seat two extra people inside, it's no more expensive to run and gets to 62mph over a second quicker.
The handling can't be quite as sweet of course, but the way the Czech engineers have reined in what ought to be prodigious levels of body roll from a car of this size is deeply impressive. The elephant in the room here of course is the potentially high asking price, which gets you any number of premium brand mid-sized SUV alternatives. Hardly any of which have seven seat family versatility. And hardly any of which we'd rather have over a Kodiaq vRS. The formula here doesn't really add up on paper. But in the metal, we think the right kind of family buyer might rather like it.
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