The car Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI SE L DSGRun by Jim Holder, editorial directorWhy it’s here To evaluate our 2017 Large SUV Car of the Year over 12 months and assess Skoda's new range-topperNeeds to Be the consummate seven-seat SUV, delivering on practicality, comfort and frugality while justifying a price tag that puts it head to head with entry-level models from some premium car makers

Price £30,615 Price as tested £31,615 Miles covered 9476 Official economy 56.5mpg Test economy 38mpg Options fitted Children’s pack (£175), metallic paint (£555), rear seat backrest release (£90), space saver (£100), textile floor mat set (£80)

28 March 2018 – Belgium beckons for a holiday road trip

To France and Belgium, for a bit of a history lesson in Ypres – a journey that involves more driving from my London home to Dover than it does from Calais to the Western Front, despite the latter involving two countries.

I’ve no qualms with driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, but I always try to be doubly cautious with side and rear mirror checks, plus a look over my shoulder, when it comes to moving around on the motorways. It’s something modern cars help with, though, with electric adjustment of the mirrors allowing for multiple, easy changes according to how far back (or close) you want to be looking.

Likewise, there’s no need for faffing around with UK stickers (a part of most modern numberplates) or sticking bits of reflective plastic to the headlights, because the beam alignment is adjusted at the press of the infotainment screen. Full marks to Skoda for the latter, too, since I found the function in seconds, despite it being the sort of thing most owners will likely use once a year at most.

As ever, then, the Kodiaq made life easier – which is a fairly fine thing to recommend a car for.

Next: More on our long-term Skoda Kodiaq >