The Skoda Kodiaq is the latest entry into the large SUV market that offers a seven-seat option. The big Skoda is based on the same Volkswagen group chassis as the Audi Q5 and the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace which is due for launch later this year.

As I arrived to collect the Kodiaq, I couldn’t but think that after all the fuss about the arrival of this car I hoped it wouldn’t be an anticlimax. The test car that I was collecting was the 190hp four-wheel drive version with the two-litre diesel engine linked to the wheel by a DSG box.

This car has also been specified with the seven seat option at a cost of €1,000 and the style+ pack which gives the panoramic sunroof, electric boot opening and closing and handy tablet holders on the back of the front seat to help keep the little ones happy on a long haul. These specifications will not be the biggest seller in the Kodiaq – the standard 150hp with the manual box will be the big seller.

On the road

Once on the move, as is usual with modern Skodas, the Kodiaq felt like a very well-built, solid piece of engineering. All the switchgear and fixtures and fittings were solid but by no means luxurious. This car came with the 8in colombus touchscreen radio and infotainment system. Skoda’s system is one of the better ones on the market at the minute with all the important functions very easily accessible from the touchscreen.

Android phone and Apple CarPlay are both installed on this car. These systems give really easy access to your phone capabilities, from simple phone calls to using the maps function on the car’s display.

The driving experience of the big Skoda is what you would expect from a car of this size. On the twistier stuff, the handling is passable when given the beans and very comfortable at slower speeds. It rides and soaks up the biggest of bumps and potholes with ease. Once out on the motorway, the Kodiaq travels completely fuss-free at the national motorway limit and with its adaptive cruise control it is very easy and comfortable to eat up motorway miles with.

Over the week and with around 1,000km covered, the diesel Skoda used close to the manufacturer’s figure of 5.7l/100km (50mpg), which for a big seven seater is very frugal. With the road tax being at €390, this makes for some fairly reasonably priced motoring.

The big Skoda arrived with lots of fanfare and to be fair it lives up to the hype. It is a brilliant car on a day-to-day basis and comes with sufficient gadgetry that it feels like something a little special. The car that I drove will not be the one that most of the paying public will go for at the price point of nearly €5,000 less. If you’re in the market for a seven seater SUV, the Kodiaq is the best option out there at the minute if you can get one. Currently it looks like 181 reg is the best you can hope for but it will be worth the wait. The Kodiaq will be a huge seller once they are available in larger numbers.