Skoda Kodiaq and Enyaq RS review: Czech out this dynamic duo
The versatile Kodiaq and speedy Enyaq RS form a dynamic duo from Skoda that are worth Czech-ing out
IN 29 YEARS reviewing cars, I’ve never met a Skoda I didn’t like. There’s plenty to admire about the plucky underdog brand, from its revenge-tale origins (its founder started a bicycle company in Czechoslovakia after being insulted in writing by a German one) to its giant-slaying motorsport successes, despite Eastern bloc levels of funding.
Then there’s the cars themselves, which have invariably been well-engineered, packed with thoughtful features and priced to sell, ever since Volkswagen took Skoda into its fold in 1994.
That formula is still in place with the new Kodiaq, a seven-seat sport utility vehicle (SUV), and the Enyaq Coupe RS, a less practical but sexier SUV. Respectively, they serve as Skoda’s flagship combustion and electric models here, and represent two sides of the brand’s personality: one sensible, the other a bit cheeky.
Let’s start with the Kodiaq, which has a sculptural new face and is slightly larger in length, width and height. The upsizing gives the car a smidgen more presence and a touch more cabin space, while the sharper lines, a wider grille and new LED Matrix headlights bring it in line with the brand’s current design language. It’s more rugged than radical, but is still recognisably a Skoda, and it actually looks bigger than it is – a Toyota Camry is a dozen centimetres longer.
Inside, the cabin gets a tech boost with new digital screens and controls, although thankfully, it hasn’t gone full Star Trek, retaining physical switches for key functions. The Skoda Smart Dials are a clever modern touch, pairing rotary controls with tiny screens to make each one customisable. The central dial manages volume, fan speed and driving modes, for instance, cycling through each function with a quick press. The dials are a big win for usability, because turning a knob to adjust the volume will always trump jabbing at a screen while driving.
But the Kodiaq’s trump card is still its versatility. The third row is best left to children or adults with a taste for suffering, but the Skoda still counts as a seven-seater. Fold those seats down, and you’ve got a cavernous cargo hold that’s ready for a raid on Ikea.
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I wouldn’t call the Kodiaq an inspiring drive, but it’s easy to hurl around bends, while its size and height feel just right for our narrow roads and dense traffic. It’s no fireball because its 1.5-litre engine is tuned for a Category A-friendly 150 horsepower, making this a car for family types who prioritise budgeting over driving thrills.
It’s a different story with the Enyaq Coupe RS, the electric wildchild. It has a dual-motor setup that puts all-wheel drive and a hefty 340 hp underfoot, so it’s a fast car, hitting 100 kmh in 6.5 seconds.
But the Enyaq RS feels too big and heavy to be truly sporty, and is more like a speedy cruiser, designed for comfort rather than hairpin thrills. What sets it apart is its interior, which is so nice that the Skoda outshines its sister cars, the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.5.
The materials feel premium, and the design is brimming with clever touches: coin and card slots in the centre console, an umbrella stashed in the door (take that, Rolls-Royce), and velcro cargo stays to keep your groceries from tumbling about. There’s even a feature to pre-cool the cabin before you step in, which is a lifesaver in our sauna-like weather.
That said, the clear plastic roof has no cover, which could make it feel like you’re in a greenhouse on sunny days, and while the Enyaq RS has blind spot monitors, it lacks a 360-degree camera, so parking will test your skills, though at least you’ll look stylish doing it.
The RS badge might make you expect racetrack ambitions, but aside from a few sporty flourishes such as black trim and scattered RS logos, the Enyaq Coupe is more show than go. The fast acceleration is nice, but the less powerful variants offer better value. The newly released Enyaq Coupe Sportline, at S$227,900 with COE, is certainly worth a look.
Either way, the Enyaq has a delightful way of welcoming you with a whimsical show from its illuminated grille when you approach and unlock it. As much as I’ve always liked Skodas, this sparkly greeting had me believing that this one liked me back.
Skoda Enyaq RS
Motor Power/Torque 250 kW (340 hp) / 460 Nm
Battery Type/Net Capacity Lithium-ion / 77 kWh
Charging Time/Type 7 hours 30 minutes 0 to 100 per cent (11 kW AC), 28 minutes 10 to 80 per cent (135 kW DC)
Range 547 km (WLTP)
0-100 kmh 5.5 seconds
Top Speed 180 kmh
Efficiency 15.6 kWh/100 km
Agent Skoda Centre Singapore
Price S$253,900 with COE
Available Now
Skoda Kodiaq
Engine: 1,498 cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine
Power: 150 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 250 Nm from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm
Gearbox: 7-speed DSG automatic
0-100 km/h: 9.6 seconds
Top Speed: 200 kmh
Fuel Efficiency: 6.6 L/100 km
Agent Skoda Centre Singapore
Price S$214,900 with COE
Available Now
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