2022 Skoda Kodiaq vs Rivals: Prices and Specification comparison

It was only a matter of time before the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq made its comeback to the Indian market. This new Kodiaq, it’s not just about the updated design, but also the changes under the hood, and the addition of a variety of new features. It’s also created an interesting game for itself, as not only does it compete against the five-seater full-size SUVs, but also against the seven-seaters, and even some entry-level luxury offerings. However, let’s take a look at how the Kodiaq fares against the more affordable spectrum of rivals.

2022 Skoda Kodiaq vs Rivals: Dimensions

Obviously the new Skoda Kodiaq outdoes its five-seater competitors when it comes to dimensions. However, things are a little mixed in the seven-seater category — while the Kodiaq is wider and sports a longer wheelbase than the Fortuner, it gets bested by its Japanese rival and the MG Gloster in terms of length, height and ground clearance. That said, we do not think 190mm of ground clearance on the Kodiaq should be an issue.

Much like the its German cousin and the rest of the five-seater competitors, the Kodiaq too comes with 18-inch wheels, while the Fortuner comes with an option of 17-inchers and 18-inchers depending on the variant, while the MG Gloster sports larger, 19-inch wheels, the largest in this comparison.

2022 Skoda Kodiaq vs rivals: Powertrains

The Skoda Kodiaq is only being offered in a petrol guise, thus laying to rest all the speculations of Skoda evaluating a return to diesels in India. The 2-litre TSI unit is paired to a 7-speed DSG gearbox with a Tiptronic mode if you’re more into using the paddle shifters. It’s essentially the same powertrain we’ve seen on the new Volkswagen Tiguan, producing 187bhp and 320Nm of torque, thus making it the most powerful product against its five-seater competitors.

Talking about its main seven-seater rivals first, the Gloster comes with a 2-litre turbo diesel, and a 2-litre twin turbo diesel. The 2-litre turbo diesel falls behind the Kodiaq in terms of its output, producing 160.7bhp and 375Nm of torque. However, the twin-turbo unit fights back with its mammoth 214.9bhp and 480Nm of torque. Both configurations are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, but while the twin-turbo unit packs 4WD with terrain modes, the 2-litre turbo doesn’t.

The Fortuner’s 2.7-litre petrol is a nat-asp unit putting out 163bhp and 245Nm of torque, placing it quite far behind the Kodiaq in terms of power and torque output. You can choose between a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. Meanwhile the 2.8-litre diesel produces 14bhp and 100Nm/180Nm more than the Kodiaq, putting out 201bhp and 420Nm/500Nm of torque (manual/automatic). Once again, keep in mind that the Kodiaq is offered only in a turbo petrol configuration.

The Tucson diesel is actually not that far behind when compared with the Kodiaq — the 2-litre diesel engine puts out 182bhp and 400Nm of torque, which is just 5bhp less and a whopping 80Nm more than the Kodiaq. However, its 2-litre nat-asp petrol is the least powerful here, putting out 150bhp and just 190Nm of torque. The Tucson only comes with automatic transmissions — a six-speed gearbox on the petrol, and an eight-speed gearbox on the diesel. The diesel is also the only variant to feature AWD.

With its 2-litre diesel, the C5 Aircross packs 174bhp and 400Nm of torque. However, there’s no option of a petrol here, and the 8-speed automatic transmission sends power only to the front wheels.

The Jeep Compass is one of the few cars in this comparison to offer a choice between petrols and diesels — the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol unit produces 157bhp and 250Nm of torque, which can be had with either a six-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT. Then there’s the 2-litre turbo diesel churning 167bhp and 350Nm of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or a 9-speed automatic transmission.

2022 Skoda Kodiaq vs rivals: Features and Equipment

Among the first few things you’ll notice while entering the cabin of the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq, is that the three-spoke steering wheel makes a return, at least in the Laurin & Klement variant. The 2022 Skoda Kodiaq will be offered in three different variants — Style, Sportline, and the L&K that we just talked about. Some of the equipment available on the Kodiaq include the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system replete with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Skoda’s inbuilt connectivity system, wireless smartphone charging, USB C-type ports, voice commands, a rear view camera, three-zone climate control, multi-colour ambient lighting, ventilated front seats with 12-step electronic adjustability, lumbar support, and three-step memory function, 10.25-inch customizable Virtual Cockpit (on the Sportline and L&K), automatic headlamps with light assistant functions, electronic boot, a high-performance 12-speaker sound system from Canton, keyless functions, and a Power Nap package among many others.

There’s no loose ends in terms of safety either, with the Kodiaq receiving nine airbags, ABS, ESC, an electronic differential lock, hill hold assist, multi-collision braking, ISOFIX child seat mounts, parking assist, drowsiness detection, and high-speed alerts among others.

The Fortuner is spread across eight variants — two petrol variants, and six diesel variants including the Legender. In terms of the features on offer, you get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the usual smartphone pairing options, along with wireless charging, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, heat rejection glass, voice commands, connected car suite (voice commands, navigation, real-time tracking, geo-fencing), cooled glovebox, electronic boot with kick sensor, driving modes, rear parking monitor, and more. Strangely, the Fortuner does not get digital dials even as an option, which may suit to traditionalists but will probably not go well with the typical consumer looking to justify the money being spent.

The MG Gloster fights back against the 2022 Kodiaq with its Level 1 Autonomy, 4x4 with seven terrain modes, three driving modes, a 360-degree camera, electronic tailgate with kick gesture, 12-step electronically adjustable ventilated driver seat with massage function and 4-step lumbar support (8-step for co-driver without massage function), tyre-pressure monitoring system, three-zone climate control, PM 2.5 filter, and more. Its safety features list is also on par with the competitors, offering six airbags, roll movement intervention, hill hold and assist, ESP, traction control, ABS, electronic parking brake with auto hold function, drowsiness detection,

The Jeep Compass received a huge upgrade in the interiors and features department with a mid-life facelift last year, which saw the addition of a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the usual smartphone pairing options (8.4-inch on low-end variants), dual-zone climate control, a 9-speaker sound system, a digital instrument cluster, and more. It is also the only car in this comparison to benefit from OTA updates. The Compass can be had in five different variants — Sport, Longitude, Limited, Limited 80th Anniversary, and Model S.

Meanwhile its cousin, the C5 Aircross is offered in two variants, namely Shine and Feel. Despite its price tag, the C5 Aircross seems to have some glaring omissions in its standard equipment list, such as a 360-degree camera, all-wheel drive, and ventilated seats, while a panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps, and an electronic tailgate are offered only on the top-end variant. However, its USP is the Progressive Hydraulic Suspension and the unique three individual seats instead of a single rear bench which offer excellent levels of comfort. It also comes with automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker sound system, a digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, six airbags, park assist, grip control, ESP, ABS, and engine stop-start among others.

The Hyundai Tucson is overdue for an upgrade, but there’s no word on when the new model will arrive in India. What the current-gen Tucson does give you is an 11-speaker JBL sound system (8-speaker on 4x2 variants), BlueLink connected car suite, panoramic sunroof, puddle lamps, cruise control, reverse parking camera with guidelines, braking assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, and a lot more.

To conclude this particular segment, the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq packs in quite a lot for what you pay for it, and it doesn’t feel under-equipped by any standards.

2022 Skoda Kodiaq vs rivals: Prices

With prices starting from Rs 34.99 lakh and going up to Rs 37.49 lakh, the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq slots itself in a very interesting position, since it goes up against a variety of rivals. It is obviously way more expensive than its five-seater rivals, with the closest being its own German cousin, and perhaps the Citroen C5 Aircross (Rs 32.73 lakh to Rs 33.78 lakh), which doesn’t offer as much kit as the Kodiaq, but redeems itself with its comfort USP.

A difference of Rs 3 lakh may possibly convince a Tiguan buyer to consider leaning towards the direction of a Kodiaq, considering it is powered by the same engine but it offers you the added advantage of extra seats, more features, and a touch of premiumness.

Things get a little more interesting as you step into the seven-seater arena. The MG Gloster comes in at Rs 30.99 to Rs 38.99 lakh, and beats the Kodiaq in virtually every segment — be it dimensions, power output, and the fact that it offers so much kit at around the same price. However, the Kodiaq’s monocoque should allow it to trump the Gloster for on-road dynamics and the equipment on offer is also a lot.

Which brings us to the Fortuner — the mid-life facelift added a host of new features in its arsenal, but also drove up its already-exorbitant price tag. The Fortuner has been successful due to its macho looks, its strong performance, its capabilities on and off the road, and the peace of mind with owning a Toyota. However, its increasing price tag has also ensured it to be a victim of its own success.

As for the Tucson, like we said, it is due for a model upgrade, but at its price range of Rs 22.69 lakh to Rs 27.47 lakh, it’s still a great package for the value it offers, and more importantly, it offers you the choice between a petrol and diesel. The Compass also offers you that choice, and its accessible price point may help it score some brownie points.

We should probably do a real-life comparison of the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq against its rivals — what do you think?