Skoda Kodiaq

FIRST UK DRIVE Top-spec seven-seat SUV put through its paces

- John Mcllroy

THE world, including Skoda, is pushing towards electrification - so the latest version of the Czech brand's family SUV stalwart, the Kodiaq, may well be the peak of its combustion-engined breed. Larger than before, with even more practicality and a solid range of engines (including, yes, diesels), it impressed us when we drove it abroad in April. Now it's time to see how it stacks up in UK spec.

A quick recap first: the new car is 61mm longer than before, and is available with a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol, a plug-in hybrid based on the same motor, and two 2.0-litre diesels. One has front-wheel drive and 148bhp, while the car we have here produces 190bhp and features four-wheel drive.

It's a gutsy performer, even in a car of this size; the range-topping motor has 400Nm of torque - enough to make the Skoda feel rapid enough if you push along.

Revving it hard exposes a diesel grumble, but there's enough low-down shove for you to leave the gearbox to shift up early, cutting the amount of revs used anyway.

With this in mind, we'd say there isn't a great deal of difference between the 148bhp and 190bhp versions; the former is plenty quick enough in most situations, so unless you're going to be towing, badly need the two extra driven wheels, or count on lugging around seven people on a near-daily basis, the more modest diesel will probably suffice.