Skoda announces arrival of Kodiaq RS, bookings to open on June 22

Skoda Auto India has confirmed the arrival of the Kodiaq RS, its first performance-oriented SUV for the country. Bookings will open on June 22.

Skoda Auto India has officially confirmed the arrival of the all-new Kodiaq RS, marking the expansion of its performance-focused RS lineup in the country. Bookings for the flagship performance SUV will commence on June 22, 2026, ahead of its market launch in the coming weeks.

The Kodiaq RS becomes the first Skoda SUV in India to wear the iconic RS (Rally Sport) badge, bringing together high-performance credentials, seven-seat practicality and all-wheel-drive capability. The SUV also carries forward Skoda's motorsport-inspired heritage, which spans more than 125 years globally and over five decades of RS performance models.

Commenting on the announcement, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, highlighted the strong enthusiast following enjoyed by the RS range in India. He noted that the latest Octavia RS sold out within 20 minutes of its launch, underlining the popularity of the performance sub-brand. Gupta added that the Kodiaq RS combines performance, practicality and four-wheel-drive capability, making it the quickest Skoda model currently offered in India.

Under the hood, the Kodiaq RS is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 265hp and 400Nm of torque. Compared to the standard Kodiaq, the performance-oriented version develops an additional 60hp and 80Nm. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and sends power to all four wheels through Skoda's AWD system.

The powertrain is identical to the unit found in the Octavia RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI sold internationally. To complement the additional performance, the Kodiaq RS also features upgraded braking hardware, including slotted brake discs and twin-piston front brake calipers.

Visually, the Kodiaq RS distinguishes itself from the standard model through a more aggressive design package. It receives sportier front and rear bumpers, gloss-black exterior accents, larger 20-inch alloy wheels and signature red brake calipers. Inside, the cabin adopts a darker theme with black upholstery, contrasting red stitching and RS-specific sports seats featuring integrated headrests and RS branding.

While Skoda has not disclosed full variant details yet, the Kodiaq RS is expected to be imported as a Completely Built Unit (CBU). Industry sources indicate that only 50 units have been allocated for the first batch, making the SUV a limited-availability offering for enthusiasts.

The Kodiaq RS is expected to be priced between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 55 lakh (ex-showroom), positioning it above the standard Kodiaq range, which is currently priced from Rs 36.99 lakh to Rs 46.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

With the introduction of the Kodiaq RS, Skoda is aiming to strengthen its differentiated product portfolio in India by offering a unique blend of performance, luxury, practicality and all-terrain capability within the premium SUV segment.

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