New Skoda Kodiaq vRS review
The Kodiaq vRS is a comfortable seven-seat sports SUV offering brisk performance
RRP £39,390
- New
- Used
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Best price from £33,999
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Available now from: £33,999
RRP from: £39,390
Available now
From £33,999
Leasing deals
From £344
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
New Skoda Kodiaq vRS
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £343.84 Initial payment £4,126.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,371 total upfront (£4,126 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Power
148 bhp
0-62 mph
9.9 s
Efficiency
46.3 mpg
Figures for 1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
7-seater
Big car
Sports SUV
Jump to:
Introduction
Performance & drive
Interior
Passenger & boot space
Buying & owning
Oliver Young
Updated: 20 June 2025
How we test cars
Like pineapple on pizza, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS split opinion in first-gen form. On one hand it was practical, comfy and pretty quick, lapping Germany’s fearsome Nürburgring circuit faster than any other seven-seat SUV. On the other, some (including us) felt that it failed to excite and entertain like a sports SUV should.
This is the new, second-generation Kodiaq vRS and it’s based on the latest Skoda Kodiaq seven-seater. It uses the same turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine as the previous version but with an extra dose of power.
New car deals
Best price from £33,999
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £33,999
RRP from: £39,390
Available now
From £33,999
Leasing deals
From £344
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
New Skoda Kodiaq vRS
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £343.84 Initial payment £4,126.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,371 total upfront (£4,126 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
So has that added oomph transformed the Kodiaq vRS into a thrilling yet practical SUV that's a match for sporty seven-seaters such as the Volkswagen Tayron 2.0 TSI 265 and Volvo XC90 B5?
And how does it fare against five-seat rivals, including the closely related Cupra Terramar 2.0 TSI 265 and the sharp-handling Porsche Macan?
Read on as we rate the new Skoda Kodiaq vRS against the best sports SUVs...
What’s new?
January 2025: final spec and price of new Kodiaq vRS confirmed. New car features four-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG, plus keyless entry and go, an electric tailgate with virtual pedal, and LED Matrix headlights
October 2024: Skoda expands freshly launched Kodiaq Mk2 range with hot vRS model, which features a 261bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine
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Verdict
By sports SUV standards, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS proves quite mild. The Cupra Ateca is sharper and more fun to drive – and for a small premium you could buy a Porsche Macan, which is even better. If all you’re after is a Kodiaq – a comfortable, practical seven-seat SUV – with a drop of extra spice off the line and in the corners, the Kodiaq 2.0 TSI makes good sense.
Best buy
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE SUV 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (7 Seat) (150 ps) review
RRP £40,270
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Generally plush, well-laid-out interior
- Seven seats as standard
Cons
- Pricier than some rivals
- Not that quick or exciting for a sports SUV
- Only one engine option
Best buy
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE SUV 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (7 Seat) (150 ps) review
RRP £40,270
Trims available
SE
The cheapest and, in our view, best choice of trim comes with heated front seats, ambient interior lighting, keyless start, three-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and power-folding door mirrors.
vRS
The vRS comes with a good amount of kit, including power-folding door mirrors, interior ambient lighting, keyless entry and heated front seats.
New car deals
Available now
Leasing deals
Performance & drive
What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is
Strengths
- Good grip
- Decently composed for such a big SUV
- Handling upgrades don’t upset ride comfort
Weaknesses
- Competent rather than exciting
- Rivals are quicker and sharper to drive
The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a 2.0-litre engine with 261bhp – 19bhp more than the previous generation’s output. That increase has cut 0.2 seconds off the 0-60mph time, which is now 6.4 seconds.
Generally speaking, that’s a pretty sprightly figure. And once you get past some initial hesitation from the seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, the vRS springs into action and accelerates with enthusiasm.
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Power stays strong throughout the rev range and the four-wheel-drive system puts it down on to the road well.
The problem is that other sports SUVs are even more ravenous when you plant your right foot – and have quicker acceleration times to back it up.
In 2.0 TSI 265 form, the Cupra Terramar and VW Tayron are slightly quicker (5.9 and 6.1 seconds respectively). The entry-level Porsche Macan (6.1 seconds) is a similar story, while the Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 300 is a fair bit quicker (4.9).
Four-cylinder petrols don’t always sound particularly tuneful, so Skoda has given the Kodiaq vRS something called Dynamic Sound Boost, which augments the car's natural exhaust note with an artificial soundtrack through a speaker under the car.
The result is a low grumble more reminiscent of a five-cylinder engine that gets more aggressive when you switch from Normal to Sport driving mode. It’s one of the more convincing fake noises we’ve heard, but the loudness can get irritating on motorways. Fortunately you can switch it off by using a mode called Individual.
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The vRS's 20in wheels don’t generate much more road noise inside than in a regular Kodiaq and wind noise is still limited to around the door mirrors.
This is a big SUV, but in Sport mode the standard-fit DCC adaptive suspension helps control all of its heft respectably well. The four-wheel-drive system also deserves a lot of credit for helping the car maintain good grip in tight corners. The vRS almost feels like an inflated Volkswagen Golf R.
That said, the Kodiaq vRS will soon push wide of your desired line if you’re overzealous. On a twisty road, the Cupra Ateca proves a sharper handler and the Ford Puma ST is a much more agile and playful one.
The Porsche Macan is far superior too: it has more precise steering, along with a level of composure and body control that the larger, heavier vRS can’t come close to matching.
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On the other hand, in Normal mode the vRS suspension relaxes noticeably, turning it into an admirable long-distance cruiser. The ride becomes compliant and forgiving over all but the harshest of bumps.
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The Ateca and Macan are similarly comfortable, while the ride of the stiffly set up Puma ST is much busier.
“I took the vRS on a family holiday and the four of us appreciated the space and comfort. The decent performance and burbling exhaust note acted as cherries on top rather than defining features.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Interior
The interior layout, fit and finish
Strengths
- Good interior quality overall
- Clear digital driver’s display and touchscreen
- Physical climate controls
Weaknesses
- Dials feel quite flimsy
- Rear visibility isn’t great with third row in use
You sit high up in the Skoda Kodiaq vRS and the driving position is hard to fault, with plenty of powered adjustments for the seat, plus lots of movement in the steering wheel.
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The sports seats are comfortable, but also offer four-way lumbar adjustment and plenty of side support to keep you braced during enthusiastic cornering. Skoda gives you memory settings so once you've found the right position it's easy to go back to it after someone else has been at the wheel.
The Kodiaq vRS’s dashboard is logically laid out and a doddle to use. There are plenty of big, clearly labelled buttons and the configurable 10.3in digital driver’s display is crystal-clear and legible at a glance.
Unlike the Cupra Terramar and VW Tayron – with their touch-sensitive climate controls – the vRS (like a regular Kodiaq) has physical dials for the climate controls. The dials (one for the driver, another for the front passenger) are easy to use while driving but do feel quite flimsy.
There’s a third dial between them that can be used to control the fan speed, drive modes or the volume of the stereo (the vRS has a premium Canton audio system).
The Kodiaq vRS's boxy shape means visibility is good all round. You get front and rear parking sensors to assist during tight manoeuvres, and powerful LED headlights to help you in dark conditions. A 360-degree camera system isn’t available but you can have a self-parking system as an option.
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Infotainment is taken care of by a crisp, clear 13in touchscreen with sat-nav, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. The screen is positioned high up on the dashboard, making it easy to read at a glance. It’s also responsive and intuitively laid-out, with icons that are pretty big and easy to prod while you’re driving.
The vRS's interior houses lots of soft-touch materials and there’s some sporty Alcantara trim on the dashboard. Hard, scratchy plastics are present, but fortunately they're mainly low down and out of sight.
Overall, the Kodiaq vRS feels much plusher inside than the rather low-rent Ford Puma ST. It also feels a step up from the Cupra Ateca and Cupra Terramar. If you’re after a really premium interior you’ll want a Porsche Macan or – if you need seven seats – a Volvo XC90.
“I really like the dials. Yes, they feel cheaper than they look, but their ease of use proved refreshing after having experienced so many set-ups that rely on fiddly touch-sensitive controls.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Passenger & boot space
How it copes with people and clutter
Strengths
- Big boot
- Lots of front and middle-row interior space
- Lots of clever cubby space
Weaknesses
- Third-row seats best suited to children
Despite the vRS's sporty makeover, it's just as practical as any other seven-seat Skoda Kodiaq. In fact, you’ll find it more practical than pretty much every other sports SUV including the Cupra Ateca and Porsche Macan.
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Up front, there’s plenty of space, and the middle row of seats – which slide and reclines in a 60/40 split – gives you much more room than those rivals.
The two third-row seats are fine for children but quite cramped for adults – certainly next to a Hyundai Santa Fe or Volvo XC90. You can fit seven six-footers in the Kodiaq (as you can in the VW Tayron) but they’ll be very snug.
There’s lots of space up front, plenty of oddment storage in big door bins, a deep cubby space under the central armrest and more space either side of the cupholders. Middle-row passengers have a folding central armrest with cupholders and rear-seat passengers get storage either side of the seats.
The Kodiaq vRS has a big boot. Even with all three rows of seats in use there’s 340 litres available – not far off the five-seat VW T-Roc R (392 litres). With the third row down and the middle row slid all the way forward that rises to a whopping 845 litres. For reference, the Cupra Terramar offers 642 litres.
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We’ve yet to do our suitcase test on the vRS's boot specifically, but there’s no reason for it to swallow less than the nine carry-on suitcases we managed to fit in a regular seven-seat Kodiaq.
“Even with the middle row slid forward to accommodate some extra luggage, my passengers were comfortable and had plenty of room.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Buying & owning
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Strengths
- Plenty of standard equipment
- Skoda's respectable reliability record
- Good safety rating
Weaknesses
- Pricier than some rivals
If you look at the Skoda Kodiaq vRS next to other seven-seat SUVs with an edge in the performance department, it looks like a bit of a bargain. The vRS is much less expensive than an Audi Q7 or BMW X5 for example.
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However, next to some sports SUVs, such as the Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI 300 and Cupra Terramar 2.0 TSI 265, the vRS is the more expensive option. The list price almost reaches into Porsche Macan territory.
Ways to buy
Cash from £33,999 Own the car outright. No monthly payments.
Lease from £344pm Drive a new car every few years. Lower upfront costs.
£4,126 initial payment , 24 month contract , 5000 miles p/a . Subject to status and conditions.
Available Now from £33,999 Choose a car from stock. Drive away today!
Official average fuel economy is 33.4mpg – slightly more than the Ateca 2.0 TSI 300 averages (31.4mpg). In the real world, you’ll need a gentle motorway cruise to see much more than 30mpg.
As standard, the Kodiaq vRS comes with a good amount of kit, including power-folding door mirrors, interior ambient lighting, keyless entry and heated front seats. You’ll need to pay extra to get heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel (as part of the Winter Pack).
The latest Kodiaq did not feature in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey but Skoda as a brand came 13th out of 31 manufacturers – a fairly confidence-inspiring result.
It's covered by a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. That’s generally par for the course, but Hyundai gives you five years, Kia seven and Toyota 10 (if you service your car with an official Toyota dealer every year).
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In 2024, the Kodiaq was awarded the full five stars out of five for safety after being assessed by Euro NCAP. Its highest scores were for Adult Occupant and Child Occupant protection – those areas scored 89% and 83% respectively.
The vRS comes with plenty of airbags, and driver aids including automatic emergency braking (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition and driver fatigue alert.
There are Isofix child seat mounts on the front passenger seat and outer middle row of seats – just not the third row.
“If you have no need for seven seats and a big boot, I’d point you towards cheaper, more thrilling sports SUVs instead.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
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Skoda Kodiaq owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
mac
Skoda Kodiaq PHEV
Likes: Value, Servicing
Jun 6, 2026 11:39 AM
purchased kodiak as suited my disability and cost consideration. From the beginning had minor 'compter faults' which were annoying and had to be reset each time before using vehicle. Now settled a little but bugs continue despite Skoda keep saying there are to be updates in software. Disappointed with charging costs as full EV gets cheap electricity at night but PHEV only receives half that offered to EV
Anonymous
Skoda Kodiaq hybrid
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing
May 28, 2026 7:28 PM
My third Kodiaq after a slight detour to a Cupra Formentor which was a big mistake.The driving position,ease of getting in and out and the smooth road journeys keep this at the top of my choices for Suv,S.Also the absolutely enormous boot space everything plus the kitchen sink.
Gary
Skoda Kodiaq petrol
Likes: Value, Servicing, Running costs
Mar 2, 2026 6:31 PM
Purchased the Kodiaq VRs as a step up from my previous 2 Karoqs. Not coming with a heated steering wheel as standard was disappointing (both Karoqs did). The unresolved driver's seat problem is an ongoing warranty issue which has diluted the whole experience. Some of the 'safety features' are intrusive and affect the driving experience - I turn them off every time. In hindsight I would have been as well placed had I bought another Karoq albeit the 4x4 2.0. Live and learn.
Malc
Skoda Kodiaq petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Feb 25, 2026 11:28 PM
The car doesn't do many miles (2000 per annum) but fuel economy is remarkable. It is a hybrid and switching between ICE and electric is imperceptible. Passenger space is good though the boot is quite small
George
Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 hybrid estate
Likes: Value, Reliability
Aug 3, 2025 1:10 PM
It does what I bought it for.
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Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Similarly priced cars
Cupra Terramar
Cupra Formentor
If you're interested in finding a Skoda Kodiaq, or any of the other sports suv cars mentioned here, head over to our Cars available now pages to find new cars listed for sale at great prices.
Skoda Kodiaq specifications
Best buy
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE SUV 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (7 Seat) (150 ps) review
RRP £40,270
RRP price range
£39,390 - £55,000
MPG range across all versions
33.6 - 188.3
Available fuel types (which is best for you? )
Petrol Hybrid, Petrol Plug-in Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Available colours
Number of engines (see all)
2
Number of trims (see all)
6
Warranty
3 years / 60,000 miles
Company car tax at 20% (min/max)
£592 - £3,921
Company car tax at 40% (min/max)
£1,185 - £7,842
FAQs
How much horsepower does the Skoda Kodiaq vRS have?
The Kodiaq vRS has 261bhp courtesy of its turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. There are more powerful sports SUVs available, but bear in mind that the vRS is also seven-seater.
Is the Kodiaq vRS discontinued?
No. The original, diesel Kodiaq vRS was discontinued in 2020 but it was brought back with a petrol engine in 2022 as part of a facelift of the Skoda Kodiaq. The vRS has now entered its second generation and is still on sale today.
What does vRS stand for in Skoda cars?
The vRS badge stands for Victory Rally Sport and is used on faster Skoda models, including the Elroq vRS, the Enyaq vRS and the Octavia vRS.
New car deals
Best price from £33,999
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £33,999
RRP from: £39,390
Available now
From £33,999
Leasing deals
From £344
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
New Skoda Kodiaq vRS
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 24 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £343.84 Initial payment £4,126.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,371 total upfront (£4,126 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 24 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Skoda Kodiaqs available to buy
In partnership with
Skoda KODIAQ
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (5 Seat)
£31,580
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,950
£32,990
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,950
£32,990
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,950
£33,490
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV Edition X DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,610
£33,914
Skoda Kodiaq
2.0 TDI SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £43,315
£34,634
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV Edition X DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,809
£34,707
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,950
£34,840
Skoda Kodiaq
1.5 TSI e-TEC MHEV Edition X DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (7 Seat)
RRP £40,610
£35,595
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Oliver Young
Title: Senior Reviewer
Follow Oliver Young on
Oliver Young spent three years as What Car?'s used car reporter, before becoming a reviewer in 2024 and senior reviewer in 2026. Oliver produces new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com as part of the road test team.
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