The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has demonstrated strong family SUV credentials after three months of real-world testing. It provides generous seating for five adults, though the third row is most practical for children under ten years old. When rear seats remain fitted, cargo space is reduced, restricting its use to occasional seven-passenger trips or families with younger children.
Skoda has improved several aspects of the vehicle, including making it easier to disable advanced driver-assistance systems. The SUV offers seven distinct drive modes, Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Off Road, Snow, and Individual, each tailored to different conditions. The Individual mode in particular allows extensive customization, letting drivers adjust engine response, gearbox behavior, and suspension settings through 15 available damper profiles. However, configuring these settings requires careful attention to achieve the desired balance.
The system defaults to Normal mode to comply with emissions and noise regulations, which means personalized settings cannot be saved. This limitation can be frustrating, but the vRS still delivers impressive fuel economy. On highway driving, it achieves over 40 miles per gallon, while shorter urban trips average around 30 mpg.
The vRS’s infotainment system, while not revolutionary, remains user-friendly. It features intuitive controls, including voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system’s layout is straightforward.
Safety is a standout feature, with the vRS equipped with Skoda’s latest driver-assistance technologies.
