Marathon launch of Skoda KODIAQ nears finish line

It seems like an age since we first heard of Skoda’s new KODIAQ. I first came across a pre-production one at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015. The long run in to the launch in Ireland this week has been a bit of a marathon, but now it is here and already the orders are flying.

They brought a few left-hand drive models into Ireland a couple of weeks ago, and they were a big hit in the dealer showrooms. So much so that Skoda boss John Donegan told us at the official launch that the interest in this car has been unprecedented in the history of the brand and they are expecting to sell 1,000 cars in Ireland this year. In fact, before it ever arrived in the showrooms, half that number has already been sold.

Next year, the first full year of sales, he says that the target is 1,500. This sounds a little conservative to me given the start, and when others see the KODIAQ in the metal, there will be, in my view, a massive clamour for them over the coming months.

Everything stacks up in favour of this new car. It is a big car with a choice of five or seven seats. It has an on-street presence like no other Skoda or indeed few other SUVs. It has style and substance with massive boot space and it comes with an affordable list of price tags across the trim spectrum. Plus, you won’t have to spend a fortune either to raise the specification levels to suit your needs.

It comes in three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style – and there are five engine and transmission options.

Active trim is available with a 125hp 1.4-litre petrol engine with manual gearbox or 150hp 1.4-litre petrol unit with DSG transmission. Those two options are also available in Ambition trim along with a 150hp 2.0-litre TDI with DSG or manual with four-wheel drive and a 190hp 2.0-litre diesel unit with DSG and four-wheel drive. Prices for the five-seat large 1.4 TSI 125hp petrol Active model start at €28,795 with the seven-seat version costing €1,000 extra. The Ambition range starts at €30,695 with the Style edition coming in at €34,595.

Customers opting for Style trim models can have the KODIAQ with a 150hp 1.4-litre TSI with DSG, 150hp 2.0-litre TDI with DSG or manual with four-wheel drive and a 190hp 2.0-litre diesel unit with DSG and four-wheel drive. This top-of-the-line model will cost €44,145.

Across the range, models fall into tax Band B2 €280 or tax Band C €390.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.