Skoda Kodiaq 132TSI

Skoda sells out for a slice of the high life; gets to keep its soul.

- James Whitbourn

STEVE Jobs made a solid case for the thinking that people don’t know what they want until its shown to them, while the average order at Subway suggests that choice shouldn’t be left to the consumer (Erm, teriyaki chicken, ranch sauce, swiss cheese, carrot and jalapenos... Oookay then.)

So massive respect, Skoda, for past attempts at giving the average family the vehicle they need, rather than the one they’re asking for in increasing numbers. Mr Jobs has a high five he’d like to deliver from the grave.

Starting with the brilliantly versatile Roomster in 2007 and continuing with the Fabia and Octavia wagons, and baby SUV/ MPV the Yeti, the Czech brand has always known that people need, well, the qualities the Roomster offered a decade ago.

But people want family SUVs and Skoda has just sorted that glaring gap in its range with the Kodiaq.