The Škoda Kodiaq is so well equipped that it could vie easily with the comfort of home.
Home is a comfort zone: a space where we are truly ourselves, where we let our guard down and just be the most genuine version of our unique personalities. At home, everything is within reach and all seems right with the world. When presented with such an environment, why would anyone leave the place at all? Perhaps, there is a sense of adventure hard-wired into the most primal part of our brain; a need to explore and seek all that lies beyond the horizon.
What if one could leave home and seek adventure without sacrificing the comfort of home? It seemed like a tough job until the Škoda Kodiaq made it possible, which reaffirms its position as a premium sport utility vehicle (SUV). When standing at the window sipping a hot cup of coffee and admiring the day, a quick glance is all it takes to be drawn by the sun glinting off the elegant and majestic lines of the Kodiaq. Its sharp lines and tasteful styling are timeless and tough to ignore. The decision to walk out of the front door and face the world comes naturally thanks to the car’s inviting interior. The feeling of sinking into the seats in the front row is akin to settling into one’s favourite chair or sofa, except that the Kodiaq also offers luxurious amenities including massage and ventilation functions.
Music that was playing on the home entertainment set-up switched over seamlessly to the Canton sound system and the powerful air-conditioning made the Kodiaq feel more like home than an automobile. This is most noticeable when stuck in traffic because regardless of how miserable everyone else in the jam may be, in the Kodiaq one is at peace and that large touchscreen with its crisp display makes for easy navigation through the menus.
Spontaneity adds to the spice of life and such quick decisions are made confidently when one is in reliable company. Powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol engine that sends power to all four wheels, the Kodiaq has set the bar high when it comes to setting out without a plan or limitations. Traffic will fail to ruin the mood and the highway is the perfect stage to flex the 204 hp and 320 Nm the engine is capable of developing. The DSG supports the effort by providing smooth gear-shifts that are near imperceptible and the Kodiaq glides along with confidence.
In a car, luxury is about a consistent state of being, regardless of what goes on outside the cabin. Thanks to its progressively damped suspension, the Kodiaq is adept at insulating its passengers from the inconsistencies of the road. Long distances become short hops as this SUV sails along at a leisurely 100 km/h without breaking a sweat. Savouring a nice day in the lap of nature, stopping for the odd roadside snack, and even jamming away in the middle of nowhere are all equally exciting occasions when one knows the machine is capable of making up that time on the road. With a reliable cruise control system handy, Škoda have equipped this SUV to share the load whenever needed without taking anything away from the joy of driving.
After an exciting day out, one looks forward to the comfort of home and that is where the Kodiaq lives up to its claims. Its plush interior is capable of extracting that involuntary sigh of relief that one heaves naturally when one walks into the house after a long and tiring day. Indeed, rest and recuperation begin on the way back home when one is in this Škoda. Small conveniences like the massage and ventilation functions for the front seats make a big difference. Such a situation is also the best time to appreciate just how undemanding this big SUV can be on the road. With some mellow tunes to round the day off, cooled seats, and a massage in effect, going home has rarely been this luxurious.
Also Read: All New Skoda Kodiaq Drive Review