Skoda Kodiaq RS Review – Practical Enough For Family, Fast Enough For Enthusiasts

Performance-oriented three-row SUVs have a challenging task in India, where the segment continues to be dominated by Toyota Fortuner despite its relatively basic feature list and ageing package. That, however, hasn’t stopped the Volkswagen Group from entering the space with Volkswagen Tayron R-Line and now Skoda Kodiaq RS.

The coveted RS badge with Kodiaq RS has a massive connect with Indian audience and it has clicked instantly. All Kodiaq RS units allocated to Indian market are sold out or spoken for, within just 5-6 minutes of bookings commencing in the country. So, you cannot buy a Kodiaq RS even if you have the unannounced asking money of this SUV (Launch on 2nd July, which is when prices will be revealed). Should you wait for the second batch and is Kodiaq RS worth your time? Here are our thoughts.

Skoda Kodiaq RS Review

Kodiaq RS is offered in 4 colour options – Steel Grey, Magic Black, Moon White and Velvet Red. We got the Velvet Red and it is expected to be the halo colour for Kodiaq RS and it best represents the sporty character of this SUV.

In terms of design, Skoda has added unique touches to Kodiaq RS, when compared to standard model, to make it look sportier. To that effect, we can see stealthy aesthetics with gloss black elements replacing chrome or silver in the grille with VRS badging, ORVMs, the window frames, roof rails and D pillar body work. We get much sportier bumpers with Kodiaq RS which lend it a unique and aggressive appearance.

Most notable distinction with Kodiaq RS is its 20-inch alloy wheels with sporty low-profile tyres along with RS-specific Red brake callipers. On the inside, we can see an all-Black interior with contrasting Red stitching, VRS badge on steering wheel, Red ambient lighting and sporty steel pedals. The three-row seating continues and the front occupants get sport seats with fixed headrests.

Comfort & Convenience

Apart from being a sporty RS version, Kodiaq RS is also a Kodiaq. So, it is jam-packed with practicality, comfort and convenience. Front sport seats are supremely comfortable and sporty at the same time. They are well cushioned and the side bolsters add extra support for spirited driving. These front seats are electrically operated including powered lumbar support and they get 3 memory settings.

Front seats are heated and ventilated for added comfort, depending on the climatic conditions. The front seats also get extendable under-thigh support, which was supportive even for my 6-feet frame. Front occupants can enjoy the plush feeling you get in a luxury car because the materials here are soft-to-touch and door pads are felt-lined. Even the centre console area where your knee would bang is padded, which is a nice touch.

Second row seats do not have as many niceties as the first row occupants, which is understandable because Kodiaq RS is a driver’s car. Soft touch materials and felt-lined pockets go away and the under-thigh support is limited and fixed. Space is decent for a SUV in this segment and amenities include sun blinds, centre armrest with cup holders, coat hooks, LED reading lights, separate climate zone with AC vents, charging ports, panoramic sunroof and more.

Boot Space

Only in the Kodiaq RS, second row occupant’s generous view is blocked by the chunky sport seats. Second row seats can be moved forward and backward and there is some recline adjustment as well. Third row seats are not for adults in any way and third row occupants miss out on AC vents and other amenities. Boot space is 281L with third row seats (50:50) up, 786L with third row seats down and 1,976L with 2nd row seats (40:20:40) down. Second row seats can be tumbled from the boot area, which was a hit or miss in the unit we sampled.

Equipment & Simply Clever Features

Skoda Kodiaq RS is loaded to the gills with features and equipment. We particularly liked the new cabin with gear selector on steering column. Steering stalks and controls look a little busy at first. Gear selector is on the right which needs twisting the end to go between gears. Left side, we have a wiper stalk with high beam function and below it is a dedicated stalk for cruise control. Paddle shifters and steering mounted controls are present too.

The 12.9-inch infotainment screen and 10.2-inch digital cockpit are crisp in resolution and are slick to operate. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 725W Canton audio system with 13 speakers and a subwoofer, twin wireless charging pads, digital key, blindspot monitoring, adaptive headlights, Level-2 ADAS, 360-degree camera, up to 9 airbags, auto-dimming IRVM and ORVM, heated ORVM with memory, parking assist, powered tailgate, acoustic front and side glass and more.

Intelligent dials on centre console need special mention because they are intuitive, space saving and intelligent. The outer dials control seat functions and user needs to press them to cycle between functions like climate, heated seat and ventilated seat and then turn dial to adjust that function. Centre dial cycles between functions like fan speed, air circulation, volume and even drive modes.

Kodiaq RS is also a Skoda. So, it has to have multiple simply clever features and it does. We liked the inbuilt funnel for windshield fluid, a display cleaner in centre console, parking ticket clip which I can visualise being used to wedge Fastag in India, umbrella holder in driver’s door trim, door panel waste bins, retractable door edge protectors and the rear parcel shelf which can be neatly housed in a dedicated spot.

RS Performance

Skoda Kodiaq RS is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder EA888 Turbo Petrol engine that is capable of generating 265 bhp of peak power and 400 Nm of peak torque, mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission and a sophisticated AWD system. Skoda claims a 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of around 231 km/h. We could not test the full performance of Kodiaq RS because we only had it for a limited period of time when it rained cats and dogs in Pune city.

Even on wet roads, Skoda Kodiaq RS felt properly quick and it accelerates like nobody’s business. We did not feel any aqua-planing from these tyres and Kodiaq RS gripped like a panicked cat. Traction control and ESP are calibrated well and the brakes drop anchor well even on wet roads. This engine is smooth with minimal vibrations and the cabin is well insulated. The gearbox is quick to respond and throttle dumps are rewarded with appropriate gear shifts.

This 7-speed DSG takes some time to decide which gear to slot into, but will land on the right gear. It is predictable too, which is a big thumbs up in our opinion. Kodiaq RS has a progressive steering and Dynamic Chassis Control Plus. These with the sporty low profile 20-inch tyres offer excellent corner carving experience with superb chassis feedback. Steering feedback is quite direct, which is predictable and lends confidence in drivers to push it harder, despite the 194 mm ground clearance and 1.9 ton kerb weight.

Should You Wait For The Next Batch?

Only logical rival for Kodiaq RS is Volkswagen Tayron R-Line, as both SUVs share the same platform, powertrain and much of their underlying engineering. We would have liked to see a more premium experience for second-row occupants. A dedicated shortcut button for the 360-degree camera would also have improved day-to-day usability.

Usually, we conclude a review by answering whether a vehicle is worth buying. In the case of Kodiaq RS, that’s not possible because the first allocation for India is already sold out. The real question is whether it’s worth waiting for the next batch. Based on our experience, the answer is yes. If you’re looking for a premium three-row SUV that combines strong performance, engaging driving dynamics, everyday practicality and a feature-rich cabin, Kodiaq RS is among the most compelling options currently available in India.