Skoda Kodiaq: 5 methods it delivers severe worth for households

#4 Loads of commonplace tools

One of many key causes What Automotive?’s judges named the Kodiaq their worth champion for 2026 is how generously outfitted it’s even in entry-level SE trim. Because the judges famous, while you purchase the Kodiaq: “It is not as if you may have to scrimp on commonplace tools.”

That SE trim consists of 18-inch alloy wheels, heated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel and adaptive cruise management – options which may moderately be anticipated as paid-for choices on a automobile at this worth level. Add within the crisp 13.0in infotainment touchscreen, a digital driver’s show, computerized LED headlights, rear parking sensors and the complete suite of driver help tech, and the Kodiaq feels significantly costlier than its asking worth may recommend.

Step as much as SE L and also you achieve electrical seat adjustment and the choice so as to add Dynamic Chassis Management adaptive suspension. And for patrons who need real electrification, the Kodiaq plug-in hybrid affords a powerful official electrical vary of as much as 76 miles – leaving the Peugeot 5008 PHEV’s roughly 56-mile vary nicely behind. (Keep in mind that the PHEV is simply accessible in five-seat configuration.)

#5 Tantalising listing worth

So what does all of this – the upmarket inside, the cavernous boot, the completed driving manners, the beneficiant commonplace tools – really value? The Kodiaq begins from £39,025 OTR, which for a seven-seat SUV with this breadth of potential, is a very compelling worth.

The Hyundai Santa Fe, a key rival within the seven-seat house, asks many hundreds extra and might’t match the Kodiaq’s operating value benefit. Sure, there are cheaper choices – the Chery Tiggo 8 amongst them – however as What Automotive?’s judges have been clear to level out, “the Kodiaq is extra sensible and much superior to drive, plus it has a extra upmarket inside”, making it nicely well worth the further outlay.

All of which explains why the Kodiaq walked away from the 2026 What Automotive? Awards not simply as Finest 7-Seat SUV for Worth, however as Tow Automotive of the Yr too. It is a automobile with out significant weaknesses, and one which makes a strong case for anybody who wants a genuinely succesful, family-sized SUV with out paying a premium-brand premium to get it.