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The Skoda Kodiaq Scout has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 33.99 lakhs (ex-showroom, pan India).

Since the Skoda Kodiaq has already been reviewed by Team-BHP, this report will only focus on the changes made to the Scout variant. To read the full official review, click here.

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Back in 2017, Skoda launched the Kodiaq in a single trim level known as "Style". The Style variant was fully loaded by itself with kit deserving of it's price tag. There was nothing you could say was missing when it came to features. In 2018, Skoda introduced the L&K variant above the Style variant. It was priced at Rs. 36.78 lakhs, which was 1.5 lakhs above the Style. Over the Style, it added a few cosmetic changes and 2 features which were a hit with the buyers - the 360-degree camera and the virtual cockpit.

Over the last few months, the downturn resulted in dealer discounts for both the Style and the L&K but the L&K being the one with more demand, had a much lesser discount. In September, Skoda repositioned the Style edition by officially dropping the price to Rs. 32.99 lakhs (a whopping 2.4 lakhs) and calling it the Corporate edition. No features were deleted as was the norm with the Corporate moniker. This created a large gap of nearly 4 lakhs between the 2 variants.

Based on customer feedback that buyers were looking for a more rugged looking Kodiaq, Skoda decided to launch the Scout version of the SUV. The Scout is priced Rs. 1 lakh over the Corporate / Style edition and has a few extra additional features. It remains identical mechanically with the same 2.0L TDI motor, 7-speed DSG with AWD. Note that the Kodiaq is still BS4. Skoda is still finalizing the plans for BS6 variants. The diesel may get updated to BS6 but it remains to be seen whether it will be in the same 148 BHP tune or the 188 BHP tune. Skoda may also consider the 2.0L TSI engine with 188 BHP to keep the cost lower as BS6 diesel variants will cost a lot more.

The Scout variants are more rugged with a few off-road bits and loaded with similar kit as the Style. Scout variants have additional cladding, off-road modes and black Alcantara covered interiors. It's based on the Style edition with the Scout bits added on at the factory. The Scout sits below the L&K and it does not get the 360-camera and virtual cockpit. However, it gets 2 additional features over the Style and L&K - a TPMS and a dedicated Off-Road mode button on the centre console which switches the electronic nannies like ESP, ABS, and TCS in off-road mode as well as offers hill-descent control.

Trivia: This is not the first Scout model from Skoda in India. Back in 2012, they launched the Fabia Scout variant (link).

So, what's new on the outside?

There's actually minimal changes on the outside compared to the Style. The only addition is that of a silver lip spoiler at the front:


The rear three quarters remains the same apart from the different alloys and rear silver diffuser:


From dead-on front, the Scout does look a tad more butch thanks to the lip spoiler:


Apart from the rear silver diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper, the other change you will see at the back is the Skoda logo, which is no longer the arrow head symbol, but 'S K O D A' text spread out. This is being done in all future Skodas and the Kodiaq is the first one in India to get this change. The Superb will be next:


Sharp cuts and creases show up beautifully when the sun strikes the Kodiaq at the right angle:


A close look at the front bumper spoiler:


The spoiler is fitted later on at the plant as a Scout kit but fits perfectly:


Silver ORVM cover on the Scout alone:


Scout badging on both fenders:


By popular demand, the Scout gets dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels. These do look much better than the boring ones on the Style:


Yes, the rear diffuser does have the fake exhaust vent:


The Scout gets the same ground clearance and underbody protection as the Style and L&K for India. Internationally, only the Scout has a raised ride height and rough road underbody protection. However, in India, all 3 variants have the rough road package as standard.


A few beauty shots of the Kodiaq parked by the lake just outside the Pench tiger reserve in Nagpur:

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So, what’s new on the inside?

The most visible change on the Kodiaq Scout is on the inside more than the outside. While the Style and L&K variants get a mix of beige and black, the Scout is all black with the seats finished in Alcantara. The beige does give it a more roomy feel and feels luxurious but also gets dirty way easier, especially the seats. I'm a sucker for black and is the sole reason I would get the Scout over the Style and L&K:


The cabin looks and feels even more premium in the black finish:


Dials remain the same as the Style. Unfortunately, no virtual cockpit for the Scout as in the L&K:


The wood grain finish door pads. Notice the Alcantara on the side of the armrest:


A sad omission. The "simply clever" door edge protectors are gone from MY2020 Kodiaqs (all variants). What you see is this rubber grommet in its place. This is not just for India, but a global feature deletion. It appears that they would break easily as they would not retract sometimes:


The Kodiaq branded scuff plates are finished in black vs silver:


The seats are finished in a mix of Alcantara and leather with the area in contact with the body in Alcantara. The material feels really nice and is same as what you see on an Octavia vRS:


Scout stitching on the seatback:


Because of the weave of the Alcantara, it doesn't look great in pics, but very premium in real:


Aluminum pedals are the same as those seen on the L&K:


While in Off-Road mode, the central display can be configured to show any 3 parameters between steering angle, coolant temperature, altitude...


...or a compass as seen in the middle:


The top left Off-Road button is the new addition for the Scout variant. The Off-Road mode sets the ESP, TCS and ABS along with the Haldex AWD system for maximum traction in off-road conditions. It works only below 30 km/h and also features hill descent control:


The Scout also replaces the black veneer finish on the other variants with a textured wood grain finish. Not to my liking, but it does look premium and luxurious:


A look at the Scout logo on the dashboard:


Wood grain finish as well as Alcantara on the rear doors:


The spacious back seat finished in Alcantara:


Boot remains the same as before with the foldable 3rd-row seats:


Disclaimer: Skoda invited Team-BHP for the Kodiaq Scout test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[vishy76]

Comprehensive review on a not so comprehensive rejigged variant. Although I do appreciate the alcantara seats and the new alloys, the lip spoiler with the silver finish looks a bit garish and stands out too much lending it more of an aftermarket vibe.

I have said this before and will say it again, the Kodiaq needs a new base variant apart from the price cut they have already introduced (obviously due to the slump in the market). The Kodiaq is still a better choice than the Tiguan and a new variant will only add to it's versatility and might even tempt those who don't really need the seven seats. (Compass Trailhawk and even Limited customers)

The upcoming Tiguan All space won't be priced competitively looking at the Skoda vs Volkswagen pricing fiasco (Superb vs Passat etc.) So I think the Kodiaq is and will be the Monocoque SUV to get with the new price cut.

Skoda's (and the German's dominance for that matter) dominance in the 25L+ segment continues with the Kodiaq and the Superb. Just goes to prove that people can lap up a versatile package even if it is priced at a premium.

[turbowhistle]

That silver lip and mirrors are giving me 2012 Duster vibes where the top model had silver elements and it looked absolutely hideous.
It would have looked smashing in glossy black and think many owners will do it sooner or later.

Interior looks like a great place to be but I feel virtual cockpit is a miss on Skoda’ side. They could have provided it for some more premium.

Having said all that, I see more value in this more than Trailhawk or Tiguan. With the discounts Skoda has been throwing out, it would be best to wait for few months and buy this around March 2020.

[Nair.V8]

For me, the Kodiaq always looked like a classy, jacked-up wagon. With this Scout variant, Skoda has finally addressed what was missing from the Kodiaq.. some much-needed SUV elements! Let's hope that Skoda offers more powerful motors with the next facelift/variant.
Fingers Crossed.

[porsche_guy]

I don't see why these exterior upgrades haven't been applied to other variants as well considering how much of an SUV loving country we are. Although I do have to admit that I am not very fond of the silver appliques, I suspect they will grow on me with time. The interiors though look fantastic with the Alcantara and black-on-black colour scheme! Wonder though if they will last long as Alcantara deteriorates very quick!

The door guards being deleted is the saddest part about this ordeal though. A very thoughtful and practical feature, it used to be one of my favourite features on the car!

It is still good that Skoda is taking active measures in doing something atleast unlike some other rivals (*cough*Toyota*cough*)

Cheers!

[Chetan_Rao]

Not a fan of the silver bits, and the wood finish just feels wrong. A darker shade with a subtler grain pattern would look less out of place.

+1 for the black cabin, will absolutely take one over beige/brown any day.

[vb-san]

The black interiors is a welcome change, but I feel normal leather would have been a better choice. And those wood panels – simply not clever!

[Santoshbhat]

Lots to like in this Scout version of the Kodiaq. The black interiors and alcantara bits are welcome additions. I quite like the non gloss finish wood veneer as well! A 188 hp tune will be the icing on the cake.

The silvery external elements look very much out of place here. I am sure this can be fixed by sourcing equivalent gloss black bits from Skoda specialist vendors in the EU.

[sweetvar26]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

Lots to like in this Scout version of the Kodiaq. The black interiors and alcantara bits are welcome additions. I quite like the non gloss finish wood veneer as well! A 188 hp tune will be the icing on the cake.

The silvery external elements look very much out of place here. I am sure this can be fixed by sourcing equivalent gloss black bits from Skoda specialist vendors in the EU.

Nice photos and pointers. How does the audio system sound, is it the exact same on the L&K version of the car?

Even the Scout variant has some discounts running I believe. May be not as much as the others but I got a message last week saying there's a discount of about 50,000. I'm guessing you could push that a little higher if someone's interested.

I've previously mentioned this as well, all this car needs along with those beautiful black interiors is a more powerful engine. I drove the Kodiaq a few weeks ago and can tell right away that it could use more power. I wouldn't even have looked elsewhere, even though the size is a little too big for my liking and the 3rd row seats which I have no use for.

[ACM]

Love the Alcantara Seats.
Love the Black interiors.
Hate the Wooden bits (Luxury bits in sport / Offroad version) Piano Black looked better.
Love the alloys.
Love the Lip Spoiler and Rear Diffuser.
The mirrors do beg for a repaint.
Ohh! for some more power.
Much better value now. Looks better too.

[sydras]

Originally Posted by vb-san

The black interiors is a welcome change, but I feel normal leather would have been a better choice. And those wood panels – simply not clever!

I do not understand the fascination of some with piano black as a replacement for wooden trim. Piano black is basically cheap plastic, a difficult to maintain fingerprint magnet prone to scratches and to me looks tacky and so much worse then well finished wood. A downgrade for premium cars if I may say so.

They could've applied better lacquer or varnish on the wood but to me, it still feels better than plastic. But maybe, you had some other material in mind?

[samyakmodi]

Seriously contemplating buying the Kodiaq - maybe in the scout trim as the alcantara is the real sweetener for me. Can forego the virtual cockpit and 360 degree camera for alcantara and additional 4 lacs.

only one thing which is holding me back - the engine feels very lethargic. Any chance they would be able to upgrade it to 188BHP and also make it BS6 compliant? As per my understanding - there isn't much needed to be done in this particular power mill other than a proper tune up. Or am I ill informed?