The SUV will make its global debut on April 13, 2021, and will arrive at our shores later this year.

Skoda has released teaser images of the 2021 Kodiaq. The SUV will make its global debut on April 13, 2021, and is expected to arrive at our shores in the third quarter of this year.

The Kodiaq has been given a minor refresh for the 2021 model year. The SUV continues to sport an imposing grille which is flanked by slimmer headlamp clusters. A set of trapezoidal fog lamps is positioned just below the main headlamps. Another noticeable new feature is the redesigned front apron, with a wider central air intake.

The most prominent change at the rear of the car is the striking new LED tail light design. It features the brand’s signature crystalline structures and forms a flatter version of the classic Skoda C-shape design.

The 2021 Skoda Kodiaq will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 187 BHP and 320 Nm. The engine will be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. Skoda will not offer the Kodiaq with a diesel engine option.

The SUV is likely to be a facelift version of the Kodiaq SUV and will come with a 2.0L petrol engine.

Zac Hollis - Director, Sales and Marketing, Skoda India, has tweeted that the Skoda Kodiaq petrol will be launched in Q3 2021. It will be the third vehicle Skoda is planning to launch this year. The SUV is likely to be a facelift version that has been spotted testing in the Czech Republic.

The petrol Kodiaq will be powered by a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol unit producing 187 BHP @ 4,200 rpm and 320 Nm @ 1,500-4,100 rpm. It is the same powertrain that is available in the Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace and will be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

The facelift is expected to get cosmetic changes including new LED headlights and DRLs, a reworked front bumper with more prominent air intakes and a reworked grille. The Kodiaq TSI is also likely to get a digital instrument cluster, a new touchscreen infotainment head-unit, a panoramic sunroof and automatic climate control among other features.

Image Source: Carscoops

The Skoda Kodiaq was on sale in India till the start of 2020. With the introduction of the BS6 emission norms, the model was discontinued.

Now, a facelifted version of the Kodiaq has been spotted testing in the Czech Republic. This vehicle is expected to make it to our shores in the coming months.

This time, the Kodiaq facelift will get a BS6-compliant engine. The 2.0-litre diesel that used to power the SUV will be replaced by the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit found in the Superb sedan and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. In the latter, this unit puts out 187 BHP and 320 Nm. It uses a 7-speed DSG transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

Going by the spy images, the Kodiaq facelift is likely to get some cosmetic changes including new LED headlights and DRLs, a reworked front bumper with more prominent air intakes and a reworked grille. At the rear, the vehicle gets a pair of LED tail lamps with reworked detailing. The car is also expected to run on new alloy wheels.

The interiors are likely to be carried over from the outgoing car. Expected changes include a reworked instrument cluster, the company's latest infotainment system and reworked upholstery.   

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According to Zac Hollis, Director - Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto India, the launch of the Kodiaq turbo petrol has been delayed, possibly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was initially scheduled to go on sale this year, but the launch has now been pushed to early 2021.

Kodiaq was available with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produced 148 BHP @ 3,500-4,000 rpm and 340 Nm of peak torque @ 1,750-3,000 rpm. This engine will be replaced with a BS6-compliant 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol unit producing 187 BHP @ 4,200 rpm and 320 Nm @ 1,500-4,100 rpm. It is the same powertrain that is available in the Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace and will be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

The Kodiaq TSI is likely to get some updates including a digital instrument cluster and new touchscreen infotainment head-unit. The 7-seater SUV will also get a panoramic sunroof and automatic climate control among other features.

The Kodiaq TSI will be imported as a completely knocked down (CKD) unit. Skoda is also planning to introduce the Kodiaq RS in India, which is likely to come via the CBU route.

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According to a media report, Skoda is planning to introduce a turbocharged petrol engine in the Kodiaq.

Contrary to earlier reports, it is said that the Kodiaq will be offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This is the same engine that powers the Tiguan Allspace. It produces 187 BHP @ 4,200 rpm and 320 Nm @ 1,500-4,100 rpm.

The Kodiaq petrol is expected to be launched by the end of this year. It will be imported as a completely knocked down (CKD) unit and will be assembled locally.

Rumours suggest that Skoda might also introduce the Kodiaq RS in India. The SUV is sold in European markets and is powered by a 2.0-litre, twin-turbo diesel engine that makes 236 BHP and 500 Nm. It comes with a 7-speed DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive.

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According to tweets by Zac Hollis, Director, Sales, Service & Marketing, Skoda, the car maker is assessing the timing of all upcoming launches due to the ongoing lockdown.

Skoda is expected to launch the Rapid with a 1.0-litre TSI engine, Karoq, the Superb facelift and the BS6 Kodiaq TSI. Deliveries of the Octavia RS 245 could also get postponed.

Bookings for the Octavia RS 245 opened in February 2020. Deliveries for the Rapid are scheduled to begin on April 14, 2020, while that of Karoq is expected to begin on May 6, 2020.

Here is the specification comparison between the diesel variants of the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, Mahindra Alturas G4 and the Skoda Kodiaq.

The BS6 Ford Endeavour is powered by a 2.0-litre engine producing 168 BHP and 420 Nm. The engine is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Toyota Fortuner gets a 2.8-litre engine producing 175 BHP and 420 Nm with the manual transmission and 450 Nm with the automatic transmission. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic. The SUV is also available with a 2.7-litre petrol engine.

The Mahindra Alturas G4 has a 2.2-litre engine producing 178 BHP and 420 Nm and it is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The Skoda Kodiaq gets a 2.0-litre engine producing 148 BHP and 340 Nm. It is paired to a 7-speed DSG transmission. Four-wheel drive is part of standard equipment.

Think of it as a 70 kg boxer fighting a 90 kg one. Oxford says:

Punch above one's weight = engage in an activity or contest perceived as being beyond one's abilities.

The list of overpriced cars in India runs long. However, what about special cars that offer more than you'd expect for the asking $$$? Surely, there are a couple of such gems in India. Here is GTO's list.

BHPians: Please add to this list with cars which you think punch above their weight!

Tata Nexon

5-star crash test rating in the NCAP - need I say anymore? It's also got nice engines (love that diesel) and is well-priced. Not for nothing is this Tata's 2nd best-selling car today.

Skoda Superb

If you are chauffeur-driven and don't want to spend E-Class / 5-Series money for cruising in luxury, look no further than the Superb. Not only does it match sedans costing TWICE as much in comfort, but it also comprehensively beats some of its own siblings (from Audi). Classy, comfy, solid, well-equipped.

Kia Seltos

A well-engineered all-rounder that has taken India by storm. A truly premium product that offers an experience matching far more expensive cars. That's precisely why it's consistently selling 10,000+ units / month in a damp market. My sister said that her 50-lakh rupee Land Rover Freelander felt grossly overpriced, after sitting in the Seltos (I agree). This is India's best-selling SUV.

Toyota Innova 2.8 Automatic

Is the Innova expensive? You bet. Still, there is nothing that touches it in terms of practicality, durability & comfort (just ask the industrialists who use its captain seats). Plus, the Crysta 2.8L Automatic has blurred the line between premium MPV & SUV (well, at least the FWD ones).

Skoda Octavia

The definition of VFM! The Octavia 1.8 / 2.0 easily meet or beat the C-Class, 3-Series & A4 in most important areas. Bring in the vRS variant and you are talking about outperforming far more expensive cars from far higher price points.

Ford Endeavour 3.2L

One of my favourite cars on sale in India. A BHPian who owns a Discovery & this Ford said "I cannot understand how the Endeavour offers 90% of the Discovery at 50% of the cost". The Endeavour 3.2 AT is a terrific all-rounder that matches so many SUVs costing 70-lakh rupees or more. No wonder it's selling a consistent ~600 units every month, despite its age, the Ford brand and a tough market.

Tata Hexa

The Hexa might be a flop, but it is one heck of a UV with its magic carpet ride, solid build, classy styling, brilliant automatic gearbox, AWD, spacious cabin and impressive kit (including safety equipment). In terms of product, Tata got this bang on!

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Surprised? You won't be after driving it. IMHO, the 2019 Camry is a Lexus with a "T" badge (it was usually the other way around for the Lexus ES). Yes, it's moved the game that much forward. Just like the Skoda Superb, the Camry delivers comfort levels & tech (including a proper hybrid) that meet or beat the 70-lakh rupee Germans. Heck, it's almost the same car as the Lexus ES at a significantly lower price point.

Skoda Kodiaq

Is the Kodiaq overpriced by 5 lakhs? You bet. When I mentioned this to a senior Skoda official, his response was "tell me something I don't know" ! But it still sells. You know why? Because the car is an a-w-e-s-o-m-e package. Despite its plain styling & strictly "adequate" power, the overall product screams "proper luxury SUV". The Skoda dude told me that he is offering a 70-lakh rupee SUV for 35 lakhs. After taking one on a highway trip, I couldn't agree more. Build + space + intelligence + features + gearbox + road manners + safety are all fantastic.

P.S. Would have loved to include the Abarth Punto here for the sheer performance on tap, but it's (sadly) not had a single factory dispatch since April 2019. Hence, RIP.

P.P.S. Skoda is the only manufacturer to have 3 cars on this list! Says a lot...

Skoda has reduced the price of the Superb by up to Rs. 3.5 lakh.

The prices of the Style AT petrol and Style AT diesel variants have been reduced by Rs. 1.8 lakh to Rs. 26.00 lakh and Rs. 28.50 lakh respectively. The L&K AT diesel now costs Rs. 30.00 lakh, which is a price cut of Rs. 3.5 lakh.

Skoda has also reduced the price of the Kodiaq Style AT diesel variant from Rs. 35.37 lakh to Rs. 33.00 lakh.

Last week, we had reported about the reduction in prices of the Rapid diesel. To check out the revised prices of the Rapid diesel click here.

According to a media report, Skoda is planning to launch the Kodiaq RS in India sometime next year. It is expected to be imported as a completely built unit (CBU).

The Kodiaq RS is a sportier version of the regular model. It features a black grille, black ORVMs and roof rails as well as blacked-out B and C-pillars. The SUV also gets 20-inch alloy wheels and dual exhaust tips. On the interior, the Kodiaq RS gets black Alcantara upholstery with red stitching, 3-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster.

The Kodiaq RS is expected to get a 2.0-litre, twin-turbocharged, diesel engine that produces 236 BHP and 500 Nm of torque. The engine is likely to be mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters and an all-wheel drive system.

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