Skoda Launches Kodiaq Lounge 5-Seater at ₹39.99 Lakh

Skoda Auto India has introduced the Kodiaq’s Lounge variant, priced at ₹39.99 lakh ex-showroom. This entry-level variant joins the lineup, sitting ₹3.77 lakh below the Sportline (₹43.76 lakh) and ₹5.97 lakh below the Selection Laurin & Klement (₹45.96 lakh) trims. 

The Lounge trim targets car buyers who want to step into the luxury SUV segment, prioritizing affordability and space without the bells and whistles and seven-seat configuration of the higher variants. 

Exterior Design

The Lounge variant maintains the Kodiaq’s recognizable silhouette but adopts a simpler aesthetic. It is only available in three colors - Moon White, Magic Black, and Graphite Grey, in contrast to the Sportline and L&K variants, which offer six color options. 

Though all variants sport 18-inch alloy wheels, the Lounge lacks the aero inserts and dual-tone finishes of the higher trims. The Sportline incorporates blacked-out elements like the grille, mirrors, and roof rails for a sportier look, while the L&K uses chrome accents for a premium appearance. The Lounge trim sports dark chrome elements instead, adopting a more simplistic design language.

Interior and Features

On the inside, the Lounge offers a well-built cabin with soft-touch materials, though it uses fabric upholstery instead of the Sportline’s all-black leather or the L&K’s Cognac leather. Front seats in the Lounge are manually adjustable, but miss out on the heating, ventilation, and memory functions available in higher variants.

Its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it is smaller than the 12.9-inch displays in the higher trims. While audio quality is good with a 9 speaker system, it does not match the Sportline and L&K’s premium 13-speaker Canton system. 

Safety features, such as six airbags, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera, remain consistent across the range, though the L&K adds a head-up display.

Five-Seater Configuration 

The Kodiaq Lounge is exclusively a five-seater, unlike the seven-seat setup of the Sportline and L&K variants. This configuration increases boot space to 786 litres, up from the 281 litres on the 7-seater variant. This caters to buyers who value luggage carrying capacity over additional seating, all while retaining the Kodiaq’s core build quality and practicality for urban use.

Powertrain and Performance

There has been no compromise on performance, as all Kodiaq variants share a 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine producing 201 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. This is paired with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Fuel efficiency is estimated at 14.8 km/l, impressive for an SUV of this size. 

Competitive Positioning

At 39.99 lakh, the Kodiaq Lounge competes with five-seater SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line (45.73 lakh), Hyundai Tucson (27.32 - 34.09 lakh), and Citroen C5 Aircross (37.32 lakh). The Tiguan shares the Lounge’s 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine (204 hp) but gets 12.6 km/l. The Tucson offers petrol (156 hp) or diesel (185 hp) with up to 17 km/l, though its cabin feels less premium. The C5 Aircross, with a 2.0-litre diesel (174 hp, 17.5 km/l), prioritizes comfort but lacks all-wheel drive.

The Kodiaq Lounge offers a practical entry point into Skoda’s premium SUV lineup, balancing cost and functionality with its five-seat design. While it lacks some of the premium features of the Sportline and L&K, it retains the Kodiaq’s core strengths, making it a viable option for buyers in the premium SUV market.