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.