Beneath that sculpted bonnet sits a revised 2.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine now pumping out 265hp and 400Nm of torque, mated to the tried-and-tested 7-speed DSG and all-wheel drive system.

Škoda has fitted the RS with an electrohydraulically controlled multi-plate clutch system that monitors conditions in real-time, sending up to 100% of torque to the rear axle if necessary. In the right situation, it can even channel 85% of that to a single wheel.

And if you’re towing a trailer for your dirt bike or jet ski for your Sentosa weekend, it can handle up to 2,500 kg.

MacPherson struts in the front, multi-link at the rear, torsion stabilisers all round; the Kodiaq RS has the underpinnings of a hot hatch but the stance of an SUV.

Progressive steering comes standard, so car park manoeuvres are lighter than you’d expect, while DCC Plus offers 15 levels of suspension tuning.

Styling-wise, the RS leans hard into its athletic credentials. Glossy black accents stretch all the way to the D-pillar, with matching side mirrors, roof rails and window trims.

The full-width reflector at the rear, black badging, and 20-inch polished black Elias wheels complete the picture.

Open the door and you’re greeted by sports seats clad in black perforated leather with red contrast stitching.

A 10-inch Virtual Cockpit is joined by a floating 13-inch infotainment display with an RS welcome animation. Laminated acoustic side windows in the front hush the outside world, so you can enjoy your Canton premium sound system.

And yes, there’s still space for seven. What’s the point of going fast if your friends can’t come along?

Prices for the new Skoda Kodiaq RS start at S$269,900 (including COE as of May 2025).

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The event, staged at the Village Square Atrium on Level 1 of Waterway Point, showcases Škoda’s versatile line-up, ranging from the Kodiaq SUV to the Enyaq.

Topping the highlights is the introduction of the new facelifted Octavia, available in four variants tailored to meet diverse needs.

A Fresh Take on the Škoda Octavia Family

The Octavia, Škoda’s best-selling model with over seven million units sold globally, is back in its fourth modern generation with a refreshed design and advanced features.

Available in Selection and RS trims, the Octavia comes in both Liftback (sedan) and Combi (estate) configurations, ensuring something for everyone.

• Octavia Selection Liftback: Powered by a 1.5-litre TSI mild hybrid engine, it boasts an impressive fuel efficiency of 6.1 litres per 100km. The cabin features a sleek 13-inch touchscreen display with voice control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
• Octavia Selection Combi: Designed for exploration, the Combi offers a spacious interior with 1,700 litres of luggage space, complemented by clever design details like an automatic retractable luggage cover.
• Octavia RS: For thrill-seekers, the RS variant is the most powerful Octavia yet, equipped with a 2.0-litre TSI engine delivering 265 PS. It sprints from 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, all while boasting sporty touches like 19-inch anthracite alloy wheels and an RS-exclusive Suedia-upholstered interior.

Exclusive Launch Offers

Visitors to the Škoda Singapore roadshow can enjoy attractive launch prices and trade-up bonuses of up to SGD 7,000.

Škoda’s comprehensive support package includes 5 years of vehicle warranty, 8 years of battery warranty for electric models, and complimentary roadside assistance.

The facelifted Octavia family is priced starting from SGD 176,900 for the Liftback and SGD 181,900 for the Combi in the Selection range, while the RS models are available from SGD 235,900 for the Liftback and SGD 243,900 for the Combi. 

For more details, visit Škoda Singapore’s website.

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Since its debut in 2016, this seven-seat SUV has been one of Skoda’s finest offerings, winning hearts with its practicality, smart design, and budget-friendly price tag.

Now, in its second generation, the Kodiaq returns with updates that aim to keep it ahead of the pack.

Familiar Looks, Fresh Details

At first glance, you might mistake this for a minor facelift rather than a full-fledged new model. 

The Kodiaq’s trademark silhouette (stretched bonnet, confident stance, and robust proportions) remains intact.

Updates include a bolder front lighting strip, a reimagined Skoda badge, and stylish wraparound rear lights. Even the new “Bronx Gold” paint adds a touch of glamour. 

It’s evolution over revolution, and that’s not a bad thing. After all, why fix what isn’t broken?

For existing owners peeking out their windows before the morning school run, the new Kodiaq will feel like an old friend with just a hint of a makeover.

Space, Sustainability, and Smart Upgrades

Stepping into the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq feels akin to entering a well-thought-out family home; a place where practicality and comfort are cornerstones.

Skoda has built on the solid foundation of the first generation, improving usability, introducing sustainable materials, and ensuring that every inch of space is used wisely.

Although the Kodiaq has grown only slightly in length, its interior space has been optimised to impressive effect. The 2.8-metre wheelbase remains unchanged, yet second-row passengers are treated to almost absurd levels of legroom, staying true to Skoda’s reputation for passenger comfort.

In the third row, adults may find themselves a little cramped, but it’s perfect for kids or short journeys. Headroom, meanwhile, has been increased across the board: 106cm up front, 102cm in the middle, and 92cm in the back.  

Even with all seven seats up, the Kodiaq offers 340 litres of cargo space, equivalent to what you’d find in a Volkswagen Golf.

Fold down the third row, and that figure jumps to 900 litres.

Many of the interior materials are crafted from recycled plastic bottles, and if you opt for leather, you’ll find it tanned using coffee bean waste instead of traditional chemicals.

This eco-conscious approach doesn’t come at the cost of aesthetics; the materials feel premium, look stylish, and contribute to a fresh, airy ambience.

Skoda has also steered clear of the dark plastic-heavy interiors of the past.

Positioned where the gear lever used to be, the rotary Smart Dials controls allow you to adjust everything from air-conditioning temperature to audio volume.

It’s a refreshing nod to functionality in an age of often overly complicated touch-sensitive controls.

Meanwhile, the gear selection has been moved to a twistable stalk on the steering column. It’s intuitive and ensures you won’t accidentally shift gears when reaching for the wipers.

What’s Under the Hood?

Beneath its familiar exterior, the Kodiaq has undergone significant changes, including its first foray into electrification.

Sharing much of its underpinnings with the latest Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Octavia, the Kodiaq offers a variety of powertrains tailored to diverse needs. 

Singapore-bound units get a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology and 250Nm of torque, giving you a century sprint time of 9.9 seconds.

How’s the Ride?

Unlike its Volkswagen Tiguan cousin, which opts for sharper handling at the expense of ride quality, the Kodiaq embraces its role as a family SUV by prioritising comfort.

It leans and rolls predictably through corners, ensuring a smoother, more forgiving ride; a trade-off that will hardly bother those ferrying a carload of sugar-fuelled children.  

The steering, while clear, lacks tactile feedback, and the Kodiaq exhibits a bit of body movement when pushed into tighter bends. Take corners too aggressively, and you’ll encounter understeer, but it’s a forgivable flaw given the Kodiaq’s focus.

Skoda has also paid attention to aerodynamics, reducing the Kodiaq’s drag coefficient from 0.32 to 0.28. This refinement doesn’t translate into neck-snapping acceleration but significantly enhances cabin quietness, especially during highway cruising.

Engine noise becomes more noticeable only when pushed hard, subtly encouraging a smoother and more composed driving style.

Respectable Fuel Economy

For a vehicle of this size, the Kodiaq returns competitive fuel economy figures.

During testing, the 1.5-litre engine achieved 13.7km/litre, close to Skoda’s claimed 15.2km/litre figure.

A Comfortable All-Rounder

The new Skoda Kodiaq doesn’t attempt to be the sharpest SUV on the market, but that’s precisely its charm. It excels in areas that matter most to its target audience: comfort, practicality, and refinement.

While performance enthusiasts may look elsewhere, families and long-distance commuters will find much to love in the Kodiaq. It’s one that’s been thoughtfully tailored to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

Skoda, it seems, has once again hit the mark. Simply clever.

Technical Specifications

Skoda Kodiaq Mild Hybrid (Selection)

Engine: 1,498cc 4-cylinder Turbocharged, Mild Hybrid
Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
Power: 148 bhp
Torque: 250 Nm
Gearbox: 7-Speed (A) DSG
0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 205 km/h
Fuel Economy: 15.2 km/litre (claimed)

Price: S$216,900 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Skoda Centre Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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With the second generation of the Kodiaq, Škoda has improved upon their globally successful large SUV. 

The Kodiaq’s robust and sculptural design has been refined, giving it a more rugged appearance. The squared-off wheel arches, new brand logo on the bonnet, and tailgate lettering in matt Unique Dark Chrome give the car more contrast.

The SUV’s LED Matrix beam headlights and front grille are new, and the car has grown over six centimetres in length, offering more interior space for up to seven passengers and ample luggage.

Aerodynamics have also been improved, achieving a cd value of 0.282, thanks to an elongated, aerodynamically optimised roofline and various other enhancements.

Inside, the all-new Skoda Kodiaq features a completely redesigned interior with new controls. Below the infotainment screen are the Škoda Smart Dials, providing quick access to numerous vehicle functions. These intuitive multifunctional controls are operated by turning and pressing, with each dial featuring a digital colour display.

The Kodiaq’s new central infotainment display is a free-standing unit, measuring 12.9 inches. The reworked infotainment menu structure offers easy navigation with basic icons for “Home,” “Car,” and “App.”

Sustainability is a key focus in the Kodiaq’s interior. The seat upholstery, carpets, and headliner all contain recycled polyester, while the seat trim covers use leather tanned with residues from coffee bean production.

Iconic Simply Clever details, like the umbrella, are now made from sustainable materials. New additions include a display cleaner in the centre console and a storage box on the central tunnel in front of the sliding rear seat bench.

Under the hood, the Kodiaq is powered by a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine, generating 150hp and 250Nm of torque. This engine is equipped with the latest active cylinder technology, a first for the Kodiaq. 

Energy recovered during braking can support the engine with an electric power boost or allow the SUV to coast with the engine switched off. This, combined with the active cylinder technology, enhances the vehicle’s efficiency.

The new Kodiaq is equipped with nano radar sensors to enhance the upgraded Side Assist system. These sensors increase the detection range for vehicles coming from behind to 90 metres, improving safety.

The improved Travel Assist offers enhanced visualisation of nearby vehicles in the Virtual Cockpit, and the Driver Alert system monitors driver behaviour for potential fatigue, issuing warnings if necessary.

The Skoda Kodiaq also features seven airbags, including a front centre airbag to prevent collisions between the driver and front-seat passenger in a crash.

For a limited time, Kodiaq buyers will enjoy exclusive launch upgrades worth $6,000, at a price tag of $222,900.

Each new Kodiaq purchase comes with five years of 24-hour roadside assistance, a five-year warranty, and three years of complimentary servicing. This ensures that owners can drive their new Kodiaq with peace of mind.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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Originally planned to feature 58 cars in honour of Singapore’s 58th birthday, the final response from the Kodiaq community totalled an impressive turnout of 66 cars.

The event, hosted by Kodiaq SG and supported by Škoda Singapore, allowed Kodiaq owners to celebrate their shared passion for the refined, spacious, and versatile SUV.

Jonathan Loh, President of Kodiaq SG, mentioned, “Bound by our passion for the Škoda Kodiaq, we orchestrated a truly remarkable event. The outpouring of enthusiasm from our Kodiaq community left us astounded. 66 cars, surpassing all expectations, converged in an unforgettable automotive display. It was the perfect occasion to celebrate our shared love for the refined, spacious, and versatile Kodiaq SUV.”

“This meet-up was a testament to the strong bond that Škoda Kodiaq owners share,” added David Nah, General Manager of Škoda Singapore. “The overwhelming response showcased the enthusiasm and camaraderie within the Kodiaq community.”

The event not only provided a platform for Kodiaq owners to unite but also emphasised the SUV’s popularity and relevance in Singapore’s automotive landscape. To date, Kodiaq SG has 250 active members and is growing.

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