JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We preview the Skoda Kodiaq SUV and discover you can now go gaming in new MINI

More efficient and featuring recycled materials, the new Kodiaq offers more cabin space and a bigger boot.

In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John previewsthe substantial Skoda Kodiaq SUV and discovers you can now go gaming in the new MINI - as long as you are parked.

The Kodiaq is the largest SUV in Skoda's line-up and is available with five or seven seats.

There is a choice of petrol and diesel engines and the Czech manufacturer also offers it with a choice of trims and two or four-wheel drive.

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It arrived back in 2016 and earlier this year it was given a refresh to make it even more attractive. It competes against its siblings in the VW group as well as offerings from the premium German brands, Jaguar and Volvo.

More efficient and featuring recycled materials, the new Kodiaq also offers more cabin space and a bigger boot, as well as LED Matrix headlights and ergonomic seats.

Available with two diesel and two petrol engines delivering various outputs and for the first time, a plug-in hybrid powertrain, it is now larger inside and out.

As a result passengers in the third row of seats now have more room than in the previous model.

Its substantial size means it has lots of presence and in Race Blue Metallic - a £660 option - it looked really smart.

I spent a few days with the 1.5 TSI e-TEC SE L model which delivers 150PS and comes with the excellent seven-speed DSG automatic box. It boasts comprehensive equipment and all the latest tech.

It sits on silver polished 19-inch alloys and features exterior dark chrome styling.

It is packed with standard kit including all the usual electric aids as well as a rear view parking camera, climate control and a full complement of safety equipment.

A 13-inch touchscreen operates the sat-nav, infotainment and smartphone connectivity, and includes Skoda's Connect which provides live journey information and real-time navigation details plus remote access to assistance.

The dash features a 10.25 virtual cockpit and there is also a Head Up display if you pay another £530.

A smart multifunction sports steering wheel feels good as does the rest of the high-quality cabin.

There is a huge amount of room inside and the luggage capacity has also increased by up to 75 litres to 910 litres and to 2105 litres with all the rear seats folded..

The 150ps petrol engine is smooth and economical and combined with the seven-speed DSG auto box, it proves a comfortable drive, slipping through the gears without any fuss.

Acceleration to 62mph takes 9.9 seconds and the top speed is 127mph, while the combined economy figure is 44.5-42.8mpg.

Handling is also decent for this size of vehicle, with little body roll, and a supple ride.

Skoda no longer makes cheap cars and this giant came with a substantial £46,225 price tag but that still stacks up well against most of its competition.

FAST FACTS:

Price: £46,225.

Mechanical: 1500cc, 150ps four cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via seven-speed DSG auto gearbox.

Max speed: 127mph.

0-62mph: 9.9 seconds.

Combined MPG: 44.5-42.8.

Insurance group: 18.

CO2 emissions: 150g/km.

Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles.

Overall rating (out of 5): 4.5.

Meanwhile, gaming is coming to the latest MINI with the installation of Mattel’s AirConsole in the car’s entertainment systems.

Following the success of the previous BMW integration, stationary drivers in the new MINI C can connect any passenger to UNO Car Party! via the infotainment system, using their personal devices for up to four players.

Vehicles must be in park to enable gameplay and the round central instrument with OLED display on the MINI’s dash combines all vehicle information and, in addition to assistance systems for navigation and vehicle control, includes convenient operating functions for the driver and all occupants.

The petrol variant of the new MINI hatch is powered by a 156hp three-cylinder engine of which give it an acceleration time of 7.7 seconds 0 to 62mph with an official fuel return of 45.5mpg.

The MINI C is priced from £22,300 and is available in four trim levels - Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW.

MINI says thanks to the car’s OLED display and the voice-controlled MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant, occupants have more control, connectivity and personalization than ever before.

MINI Navigation helps drivers navigate through 3D visualization and augmented view and, in addition to current information on traffic conditions, also provides information on free parking spaces including an integrated digital payment option and much more.

The car is fitted with camera and radar-based assistance functions which increase safety and, if required, assist with steering and lane keeping.

In city traffic, stop-and-go situations can be handled confidently thanks to automatic speed and distance management.

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