Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 Sportline Facelift Review
18 Mar 2024|33,944 views
Facelift (What's New)
Now offered with a 148bhp 1.5-litre engine
Redesigned head lights, grille, bumpers, and rear spoiler
Redesigned Skoda badging on the tailgate
Skoda's Virtual Cockpit driver's instrument cluster
Don't bother adjusting the screen or giving your eyes a gentle rub.
What you're looking at is not another review of the same Skoda Kodiaq RS that we took out in July 2022, but instead the Kodiaq in its 'Sportline' trim. It's currently the entry-point to the Kodiaq range here (following the removal of the 'Ambition' trim Kodiaq from Skoda's pricelist since March of 2024), but don't imagine for a second that you'll find this SUV lacking.
To start, this 'Sportline' Kodiaq looks just as appealing as the Kodiaq RS we tested all those months back, especially if you opt to have yours in this stunning Race Blue Metallic exterior finish.
This comes thanks to this car's use of delicious gloss black for its front grille alongside its in-trend black badging, while at the rear, this Kodiaq also retains the stylish full-width reflector bar - all design features that we saw on the Kodiaq RS car.
And this 'Sportline' Kodiaq is not short on equipment either: You should have noticed that this car still gets black roof rails alongside some sizeable 19-inch rims, while in the cabin, a panoramic sunroof is also present - a feature sure the win the hearts of the rest of your family.
You and your dearest, meanwhile, will get to sit atop some nifty sports seats that offer plenty of lateral support, although their backs can trap a fair amount of heat.
But the rest of the cabin here is a triumph. This 'Sportline' trim Kodiaq gets Skoda's 8.0-inch Bolero infotainment system (as opposed to the 9.2-inch system found in the Skoda Kodiaq RS, which is both easy to use and quick to react).
And this additionally comes supported by a host of physical buttons located on the dashboard and centre console that allow for quick changes to the air-conditioning settings or easy switches between drive modes.
And at the other end of the cabin, the two seated in the last row don't get their own air-conditioning vents, but they won't have to get too cosy, so long as those in the second row agree to slide their seats forward a bit and sacrifice what is otherwise a generous amount of knee room.
Where this 'Sportline' trim Kodiaq does significantly differ from the Kodiaq RS, however, is under the bonnet.
Here, a 148bhp 1.5-litre unit does service and sends its power solely to the front wheels, as opposed to the 241bhp 2.0-litre engine that powers all four wheels of the Kodiaq RS.
Will you miss that 93bhp? If hard acceleration at speed is part of your expectation from a family SUV, then yes. The 250Nm offered by the 1.5-litre engine does enough to mask the car's 1,646kg weight at slower speeds, but take on the highway and you'll find overtaking manoeuvres requiring a fair bit of hard revving - the car's seven-speed transmission and its reluctance to perform downshifts not aiding affairs here.
Thankfully, the Kodiaq executes downshifts quickly enough should you opt to take over control over the gearbox yourself via the steering wheel paddles.
Take a more relaxed approach to your commutes and the Kodiaq responds more favourably, delivering a quiet drive and rounding off all but the sharpest edges on the road. And you should see the car reaching a fuel economy close to 11.5km/L when driven as such - a respectable figure for a seven-seater SUV of this size.
At $218,900, those looking at this Skoda Kodiaq Sportline are most likely to compare it against the Peugeot 5008, which comes in at $195,888, albeit with a slightly weaker 129bhp engine.
But there's one additional option to consider: The all-new Skoda Kodiaq, complete with a new cabin design and infotainment system while promising more cabin space, is scheduled to arrive here in Singapore by the third quarter of 2024.
For those who are in no hurry to get their next SUV, these features alone should make the next Kodiaq worth the wait. But do also consider the fact that this upcoming Kodiaq is, extrapolating from the way in which Volkswagen Group Singapore has approached its product launches, likely to arrive here firstly equipped with the firm's 201bhp 2.0-litre engine. Then there's also the fact that, as a newer, better-equipped, and more powerful car, this upcoming Kodiaq is also likely to arrive here commanding a premium above the model which we have driven here.
So, for those who think this Kodiaq in its 'Sportline' trim is enough of a looker and find its impressive mix of cabin space and versatility combined with its capable drivetrain sufficient for duty as their family carrier, this could well be the opportune moment to sign on that dotted line.
Just be sure to get yours in this delicious Race Blue Metallic.
Looking for your next family SUV? There's also these popular options to consider:
The Mazda CX-60 is a likeable SUV with a handsome exterior and well-appointed cabin
There's also the Honda CR-V, which comes with a punchy drivetrain and a well-sorted ride
Facelift (What's New)
Now offered with a 148bhp 1.5-litre engine
Redesigned head lights, grille, bumpers, and rear spoiler
Redesigned Skoda badging on the tailgate
Skoda's Virtual Cockpit driver's instrument cluster
Don't bother adjusting the screen or giving your eyes a gentle rub.
What you're looking at is not another review of the same Skoda Kodiaq RS that we took out in July 2022, but instead the Kodiaq in its 'Sportline' trim. It's currently the entry-point to the Kodiaq range here (following the removal of the 'Ambition' trim Kodiaq from Skoda's pricelist since March of 2024), but don't imagine for a second that you'll find this SUV lacking.
To start, this 'Sportline' Kodiaq looks just as appealing as the Kodiaq RS we tested all those months back, especially if you opt to have yours in this stunning Race Blue Metallic exterior finish.
This comes thanks to this car's use of delicious gloss black for its front grille alongside its in-trend black badging, while at the rear, this Kodiaq also retains the stylish full-width reflector bar - all design features that we saw on the Kodiaq RS car.
And this 'Sportline' Kodiaq is not short on equipment either: You should have noticed that this car still gets black roof rails alongside some sizeable 19-inch rims, while in the cabin, a panoramic sunroof is also present - a feature sure the win the hearts of the rest of your family.
You and your dearest, meanwhile, will get to sit atop some nifty sports seats that offer plenty of lateral support, although their backs can trap a fair amount of heat.
But the rest of the cabin here is a triumph. This 'Sportline' trim Kodiaq gets Skoda's 8.0-inch Bolero infotainment system (as opposed to the 9.2-inch system found in the Skoda Kodiaq RS, which is both easy to use and quick to react).
And this additionally comes supported by a host of physical buttons located on the dashboard and centre console that allow for quick changes to the air-conditioning settings or easy switches between drive modes.
And at the other end of the cabin, the two seated in the last row don't get their own air-conditioning vents, but they won't have to get too cosy, so long as those in the second row agree to slide their seats forward a bit and sacrifice what is otherwise a generous amount of knee room.
Where this 'Sportline' trim Kodiaq does significantly differ from the Kodiaq RS, however, is under the bonnet.
Here, a 148bhp 1.5-litre unit does service and sends its power solely to the front wheels, as opposed to the 241bhp 2.0-litre engine that powers all four wheels of the Kodiaq RS.
Will you miss that 93bhp? If hard acceleration at speed is part of your expectation from a family SUV, then yes. The 250Nm offered by the 1.5-litre engine does enough to mask the car's 1,646kg weight at slower speeds, but take on the highway and you'll find overtaking manoeuvres requiring a fair bit of hard revving - the car's seven-speed transmission and its reluctance to perform downshifts not aiding affairs here.
Thankfully, the Kodiaq executes downshifts quickly enough should you opt to take over control over the gearbox yourself via the steering wheel paddles.
Take a more relaxed approach to your commutes and the Kodiaq responds more favourably, delivering a quiet drive and rounding off all but the sharpest edges on the road. And you should see the car reaching a fuel economy close to 11.5km/L when driven as such - a respectable figure for a seven-seater SUV of this size.
At $218,900, those looking at this Skoda Kodiaq Sportline are most likely to compare it against the Peugeot 5008, which comes in at $195,888, albeit with a slightly weaker 129bhp engine.
But there's one additional option to consider: The all-new Skoda Kodiaq, complete with a new cabin design and infotainment system while promising more cabin space, is scheduled to arrive here in Singapore by the third quarter of 2024.
For those who are in no hurry to get their next SUV, these features alone should make the next Kodiaq worth the wait. But do also consider the fact that this upcoming Kodiaq is, extrapolating from the way in which Volkswagen Group Singapore has approached its product launches, likely to arrive here firstly equipped with the firm's 201bhp 2.0-litre engine. Then there's also the fact that, as a newer, better-equipped, and more powerful car, this upcoming Kodiaq is also likely to arrive here commanding a premium above the model which we have driven here.
So, for those who think this Kodiaq in its 'Sportline' trim is enough of a looker and find its impressive mix of cabin space and versatility combined with its capable drivetrain sufficient for duty as their family carrier, this could well be the opportune moment to sign on that dotted line.
Just be sure to get yours in this delicious Race Blue Metallic.
Looking for your next family SUV? There's also these popular options to consider:
The Mazda CX-60 is a likeable SUV with a handsome exterior and well-appointed cabin
There's also the Honda CR-V, which comes with a punchy drivetrain and a well-sorted ride
Also read our comparison article on:
Mazda CX-8 Super Luxury 2.5 (A) vs Skoda Kodiaq Laurin vs Klement 2.0 (A)Car Information
Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI Sportline 7-Seater (A)
CAT B|Petrol|16.4km/L
Horsepower
110kW (148 bhp)
Torque
250 Nm
Acceleration
9.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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- Great Rugged Looks
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