Skoda India has been in the constant process of launching new products in our market this year. Skoda has chosen 2021 to be the year to revive its depleting market share in our market. To facilitate that, it is making use of its Joint Venture with the Volkswagen Group which has developed an Indianized version of its popular MQB platform namely the MQB A0 IN platform. Skoda Kushaq is the first product under this platform and is swiftly followed by VW’s own, Taigun, both of which will feature in the mid-size SUV segment in the country. To carry this momentum forward, Skoda is continuing on with other products as well, which brings us to the luxury side of the segment with the update 2021 Skoda Kodiaq, which has been revealed recently. Skoda has discontinued the outgoing model in the wake of BS6 emission regulations which were implemented in April 2019. Let us take a look at the details of this 7-seater SUV which will launch in India sometime after June 2021.
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2021 Skoda Kodiaq – Exterior Design
The exterior design of the 2021 Kodiaq is very much in line with the latest theme of the Skoda Group. This means that the front end will feature the typical broad butterfly grille, which might be blacked out or chromed out, depending on the trim, Matrix LED with a sleeker headlamp unit with crystalline effect as in the Kushaq as well, upright bonnet with plenty of sharp creases to give it a bold and muscular appearance, wide new front bumpers. On the sides, the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq shows you have long it actually is along with large and pronounced wheel arches which host 18-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out window surrounds, roof rails and sharp creases. At the rear, there is a roof spoiler, LED tail lamp unit with crystalline effect and sportier bumper along with a chrome strip that runs across the breadth of the bumper to give the SUV a premium look. All things considered, the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq looks very much like a Skoda but has all the modern design cues to differentiate it from the outgoing model.
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2021 Skoda Kodiaq – Interiors and Features
The interiors of the updated Skoda Kodiaq are also fresh and modern, although the overall appearance might largely resemble that of the outgoing model. The feature list is a lengthy one as expected of a car of this segment and includes an option of a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit Digital Setup, an 8-inch Digital Infotainment System with all the latest connectivity features, a premium 10-speaker Canton Audio System, a typical Skoda two-spoke steering wheel with controls, Electrically Adjustable Seats, LED Ambient Lighting inside the cabin, a Panoramic Sunroof, Three-zone automatic climate control and much more. Skoda has also retained the physical dials for the HVAC settings which is really a plus because the touch controls are a bit difficult to use and are a bit dangerous to use while driving. All-in-all the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq is a feature-packed SUV with all the necessary modern amenities and is a substantial update from the outgoing model.
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2021 Skoda Kodiaq- Engines, Expected Prices and Rivals
In the international market, the Skoda Kodiaq comes with a wide variety of engines including a 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol, a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol and 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. In India, however, we will experience only the petrol units of the Skoda family, which means that there will be a 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol making 150hp and a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol making 190hp. The former will be paired with either q 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG (DCT) unit and the latter will only come with the 7-speed DSG (DCT) as standard. The larger engine will come with a standard 4×4 drive system as well. The expected prices for the updated 2021 Skoda Kodiaq might range somewhere around the Rs 30 lakh mark. This means that the competition might include the likes of the upcoming 7-seater Jeep Compass, the Citroen C5 Aircross, Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and the Ford Endeavour. The RS version of the Kodiaq might also be launched at a later stage with the 245hp engine.
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