The Skoda Kodiaq seven-seat SUV has been treated to a mid-life refresh, ahead of an Australian launch ‘by December’ according to Skoda’s local arm.
Orders for the updated SUV will commence in October, with deliveries (including Kodiaq RS) commencing around December.
Australia will continue with the Kodiaq, Kodiaq Sportline, and Kodiaq RS trim levels.
The former two continue with the current 132kW 2.0-litre petrol with all-wheel drive, the latter moves to a new 180kW 2.0-litre petrol engine with all-wheel drive shared with the Octavia RS.
Pictured: Skoda Kodiaq 
Pictured: Skoda Kodiaq Sportline 
Compared to the vehicle before it, the 2022 Kodiaq has been refined in line with Skoda models like the all-new Octavia, as well as a more luxurious interior.
Up front there’s slimmer split headlights incorporating available Matrix LED technology, a more upright front grille and a new bumper.
At the rear there’s a new spoiler extending from the roofline, revised LED tail lights that are slimmer and incorporate more ‘crystalline’ details. New alloy wheel designs fill the arches, too.
Inside, there’s available stitched leatherette dashboard trim, a two-spoke steering wheel (RS gets a new three-spoke design), Skoda’s latest infotainment interface, and new front ‘ergo seats’ with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions.
Additionally, European buyers can option ‘Eco’ seats made from vegan, recycled materials, while the available 575W Canton premium audio system features 10 speakers instead of the previous eight.
While the available touchscreens still measure 8.0 inches and 9.2 inches depending on model, they run the Volkswagen Group’s latest infotainment and mapping interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Software updates can now be installed over the air, with wireless phone charging available as an option in Europe. New USB-C ports are scattered throughout the cabin, and an updated 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit is available too.
Rounding out the interior revisions is enhanced LED ambient lighting which is more configurable than before.
Beyond the aesthetic changes, the available suite of driver assistance technologies including the newly enhanced ‘Crew Protect Assist’.
This technology has additional radar sensors at the rear of the Kodiaq to better sense and prepare the cabin for a rear-end collision.
Under the bonnet, Euro-market Kodiaqs will offer a range of updated engines.
Pictured: Skoda Kodiaq L&K
The biggest change is for the Kodiaq RS, which swaps the old 176kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel for the 180kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine shared with the Octavia RS.
Performance figures are still to be confirmed, though for reference the outgoing Kodiaq RS diesel could sprint from 0-100 in 7.0 seconds.
Elsewhere in the European range, there’s a new 2.0 TDI diesel that won’t make it to Australia, now featuring twin-dosing AdBlue tech that cuts NOx emissions by up to 80 per cent. Available tunes are 110kW and 147kW.
There’s also an updated 1.5 TSI turbo petrol with 110kW, with cylinder deactivation technology which can run on two cylinders under low load. A 2.0 TSI is also available with 140kW.
As noted earlier, Australian models will carryover the current 132kW/320Nm 2.0 TSI with all-wheel drive and DSG auto as is the case currently, while the Kodiaq RS will move to the new 180kW 2.0 TSI, again with DSG and all-wheel drive.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest in the lead-up to the local launch later in 2021, and click the images for the full gallery.
