People who love big SUVs will love the 2023 Skoda Kodiaq. The gargantuan SUV is about to go on sale this year with amazing improvements. This could range from minor interior changes Skoda Kodiaq. The gargantuan SUV is about to go on sale this year with amazing improvements. This could range from minor interior changes to a whole redesign. After all, SUVs are famous for their lavish looks and how well everything is placed on the inside.
This news also comes with a side of extra exterior colors, which is nice for people who like to personalize their vehicles further. There will be some powertrain changes. The one we are hoping for is electrification. But we will have to wait and see how the SUV rolls off the production track. Let’s take a look at what Skoda has planned for this year.
Skoda Kodiaq Interior Changes
The inside of the 2023 Skoda Kodiaq did receive some updates. We get improved seating with more cushioning and better lumbar support. Contrast stitching is available along with multiple upholstery materials. That way, anyone can customize their vehicle. Infotainment and the dashboard are set to remain the same. Some safety features have been introduced, like automatic brakes, lane departure alert, and so on.
There might be even hands-free driving software. But Skoda hasn’t announced it officially yet. Perhaps they plan to borrow the software from some other company. There will be a third-row option this time as well. Although it is not as spacious as the first two.
Exterior Design
On the outside, not much is changing for the 2023 Skoda Kodiaq. The SUV still has an aggressive look and is huge when compared to most SUVs. It has 18-inch wheel rims made from lightweight aluminum to shave off some weight. The front fascia is untouched while the headlights are more linear.
The overall body is made in an ergonomic and aerodynamic way. This improves fuel economy, handling, and steering. Ride height is also increased, so don’t worry if you plan on taking the SUV off the beaten path.
Engine Options and Specs
The engine lineup for the 2023 Skoda Kodiaq will remain the same. The lowest variants will continue to be powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-four gas-powered engine that can produce around 150 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, a 2.0-liter turbo-four is an available engine with a variety of powertrain options. Both a 190-horsepower and a 245-horsepower high-output RS model are offered. There are variants available with the reliable 2.0-liter TDI turbodiesel, of course. As always, the FWD system is standard, but an AWD setup is also available.
The base petrol engine can be coupled to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch gearbox, unlike the other engines, which can only be purchased with a dual-clutch transmission. We are saddened to see the lack of electric or hybrid versions of the new 2023 Skoda Kodiaq. Skoda is a part of the Volkswagen group, which does have several electric vehicles that are quite popular. So why not simply not use that existing technology? At least one of those engines could be coupled with a hybrid system. Using a dual electric motor setup would give the best benefits.
One motor for each axle. Some modern electric vehicles have as many as four electric motors. This way, the petrol engine is not under constant stress and will last longer. Not to mention the money you save on fuel. And we all know how much fuel prices have increased recently. Full electrification doesn’t sound like it will happen any time soon. We are not sure why. There are heavier and bigger trucks than the Kodiaq that run on batteries. A pack of 150 kWh would suffice for the large SUV. This would put its range on a single charge above 300 miles with horsepower to match the traditional engines.
Fuel Economy
The new 2023 Skoda Kodiaq uses the latest efficient engine technology, which saves a lot of fuel. This means the 5,500-pound SUV gets around 40mpg of combined driving. Not bad for a vehicle of that size. Introducing a hybrid powertrain would improve the numbers greatly.
2023 Skoda Kodiak Cost and Release Date
The release of the new 2023 Skoda Kodiaq is set for late 2022. It is probably autumn, and the starting price is estimated at around $30000. The price is not too hefty considering everything you get with the Kodiaq.