Visually, the facelift of the Skoda Kodiaq is rather manageable, but the RS variant gets a different heart.
After the Corona period, some people are on a diet to shed their home office pounds. That usually means doing without the buffet and doing a lot of sport. It’s easier with a car like the Kodiaq RS. Just take out the two-liter diesel and put in a gasoline engine. Schwupps have disappeared around 60 kilograms from the hips. Just because. If the new heart with at least 180 kW / 245 PS and a maximum torque of 370 Newton meters is not a weakling, then the transplant has already been successful. At least on paper. The technician is happy: “I’m glad that the RS got a petrol engine,” says chassis engineer Vratislav Kozub.
Clear. Less weight on the front axle makes wagging easier. Even with a crossover that weighs around 1.8 tons. After all, you are sometimes on country roads and this RS is much more nimble on this terrain than its predecessor, albeit without being a proven lateral dynamist. Nevertheless, it is relaxed around the corners. The traction-enhancing all-wheel drive in combination with the electronic transverse differential lock (XDS +) on the front axle, which is ultimately nothing more than an extended ESP, helps. The interaction of the duo brings the desired effect: the Kodiaq RS happily turns in, takes its course neutrally, but cannot completely eliminate a tendency to understeer at higher speeds.
Especially since comfort is very important to the Czechs, which is particularly evident in the Eco, Comfort and Normal driving programs. But even in sport mode, in which the dampers are set much tighter, it doesn’t get too rough. However, the exaggerated engine sound in dynamic mode should not be for everyone. Above all, since you cannot deactivate it in sport mode. This is only possible in the individual program. The fact that the dampers cannot be fine-tuned there in 15 steps shows that the Skoda SUV is already four years old and that the facelift does not intervene deeper in the technology. But the spread is still noticeable. If you want to be fast on the road with the Kodiaq RS, you would do well to give the four-cylinder a few extra revs. Through the acoustic glazing in the front doors you can see the increased exertion of the engine, but the insulation makes it possible to have a conversation at low volume.
Otherwise, the seven-speed dual clutch transmission does its job, as usual, fairly calmly. The Kodiaq RS completes the standard sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in a brisk 6.5 seconds and is up to 234 km / h. But saving fuel is also very important with this RS, as the aerodynamically shaped rims show. The Kodiaq RS should need 8.9 liters per 100 kilometers. We came to 9.5 l / 100 km on our first test drive.
In the interior, too, you can recognize the previous generation of infotainment on the 9.2 inch touchscreen. But this version also does the standard tasks without any problems. The smartphone is integrated in no time, and if you want, you can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The operation is also not trimmed to digital native with all its might, which does not always have to be a disadvantage. On the one hand, you can find your way around and, on the other hand, you don’t necessarily miss such groundbreaking inventions as the rain gutters for regulating the volume.
There are still some news. Like all other Kodiaq models, the RS has full LED matrix headlights and, if desired, ergonomic seats with ventilation and massage function. The chairs are definitely suitable for long journeys and are very comfortable. The ventilation helps with the summer heat, the massage function is now not necessarily a “must have”. For the price of 48,990 euros are, among other things, a two-zone air conditioning, heated front seats and the adaptive chassis. In contrast, such useful additions as rear side airbags including proactive occupant protection cost 460 euros extra.
One thing remains unchanged with the Skoda Kodiaq RS. That is the space available. With a length of 4.70 meters, you can comfortably find space in the two rows of seats. There is also a trunk that has a capacity of 765 liters, if you sink the third row of seats into the floor, then you fold the backrests of the existing rear bench, the volume of the luggage compartment increases to 2,065 liters.
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
