This Skoda is nice, but nobody will buy it

The midsize SUV from Skoda, the Kodiaq, offers a fantastic RS version with 265 horsepower. But there’s a catch.

Skoda has decided to offer a 265-horsepower combustion SUV with its Kodiaq RS. In an era of urgent climate concerns and the resulting Eco bonus/malus, one wonders who might still buy this kind of product that doesn’t check many boxes. A pleasure vehicle, family-oriented, but certainly not cheap and probably penalized!

The design is more eye-catching than the “family man” version. Redesigned bumpers, 20-inch wheels, an aggressive red hue combined with a black grille—the look is appealing. However, this body kit should also be available on the more subdued hybrid versions. Likely at a later date.

And what about hybridization?

The Kodiaq RS benefits from the new 2.0-liter turbo TSI engine, which already a few months ago helped the Octavia improve its carbon footprint. Power is similar, at 265 horsepower, paired with all-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In terms of equipment, the Kodiaq RS comes standard with LED Matrix headlights with animated lighting and curved illumination, as well as LED taillights with dynamic indicators. The Canton sound system, the DCC Plus (Dynamic Chassis Control) adjustable system, and the KESSY Advanced system with automatic opening and locking offer superior comfort and a personalized driving experience. The driving mode offers options from Eco to Off-Road, to adapt to all road conditions.

The interior features a flashy finish with black microsuede seats and synthetic leather. It has electrically adjustable front seats with memory. Red accents on the stitching and brake calipers enhance the sporty look of the model. For optimal sound insulation, the Kodiaq RS includes acoustic side windows at the front and rear.

The essential information remaining is its price! It will be 60,970 euros. It’s expensive, but not crazy for a car equipped this way. However, since it’s 2025, let’s take a look at the CO2 emissions. 192 g/km, which results in a malus of… 51,912 euros! Well, that’s settled—moving on to something else.

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