The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq: Our First Look from the Faridabad Launch!

First Impressions: Kodiaq's New Chapter

The 2025 Kodiaq isn't just an update; it's a huge step forward, showing off Skoda's "Modern Solid" design. At the Faridabad event, we saw how this second-generation Kodiaq plans to shake up the premium SUV game.

It's got more luxury, better driving feel, and lots of new tech for India. It's definitely ready to take on big names like the Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Meridian, and even VW's own Tiguan R-Line. The excitement at the launch was hard to miss.

Outside: Big Presence, Smart Details

The moment we saw the 2025 Kodiaq, its presence was aw-inspiring. The Moon White paint on the display model looked really classy, bringing out the SUV's strong lines. 

The front grille is new and wider, with sharp LED headlights that blend perfectly with the fog lamps. On the top-end Laurin & Klement (L&K) model we checked out, the grille even has a cool illuminated light bar – a small but premium touch.

From the side, the Kodiaq still looks confident. We felt the 18-inch alloy wheels, while good for efficiency, could have been a bit bolder in design. The small bend under the contrasting D-pillar is a neat detail. 
 

At the back, the redesigned C-shaped LED taillights are now connected by a full-width light bar, giving it a unique look, especially at night. 

The new Kodiaq is 61mm longer than before, measuring 4,758mm, which means more space inside. The design is sharper overall, and its aerodynamics are better, with the drag coefficient dropping from 0.33 to 0.28.

Inside: Quality, Cleverness, and Comfort

Stepping into the 2025 Kodiaq's cabin at the launch felt both luxurious and incredibly smart. The L&K variant's dual-tone Cognac and Black interior was fantastic, giving it a sophisticated and inviting feel.

The Cognac leather on the dashboard, with textured wood-like panels, instantly made it feel high-end. Most surfaces are soft-touch, and you can see the attention to detail everywhere, from the air vents to the floating door handles.

Quality: Skoda has stepped up its game with materials and how everything fits together. The cabin feels solid and well-built, showing Skoda's commitment to a premium experience. While some might miss the substantiality of older Skoda models, the overall quality and refinement here are better.

Space: The Kodiaq's extra length directly means more room inside. The second row has plenty of headroom, legroom, and shoulder room, so even tall adults will be comfortable. The seats slide and recline, adding to comfort. The third row, typical for a seven-seater, is only adequate for kids or shorter adults on long trips, but it's fine for city use. It also reclines to foster that extra space for heavy packers.

Features: This is where the Kodiaq truly impressed us. The main attraction is the huge 12.9-inch floating touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's also a sharp 10.25-inch digital driver's display, and the L&K model even gets a useful head-up display. 

While all that is good, the flagship Skoda misses out on the ADAS system, which the competition brands offer at a much lower price. The Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), which provided adjustable damping for different driving modes, has been removed for India.

But the real genius is Skoda's "Smart Dials." These three multi-function rotary knobs below the screen are a brilliant idea. They let you control things like climate, seat cooling/heating, and drive modes easily and safely while driving, unlike fiddling with a touchscreen. 

Other cool features include a powerful 13-speaker Canton sound system, wireless phone charging (with two cooled pads!), a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting with many colors, and power-adjustable front seats with a massage function. Skoda also cleverly moved the gear selector to the steering column, opening up a ton of storage in the center console – a true "Simply Clever" touch.

For safety, it has 9 airbags standard, ESP, hill hold and descent control, tire pressure monitoring, and a 360-degree camera with parking sensors. However, a slight letdown was confirmation that ADAS features are not offered on the India-spec Kodiaq.

Engine and Performance: Smooth Power, Confident Ride

Under the hood, the 2025 Skoda Kodiaq for India gets just one powerful engine: the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbo-petrol (TSI). This engine now makes 201 hp (14 hp more than before) and 320 Nm of torque. It's paired with a smooth 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox from the DQ381 family, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard.

Although we did not get the chance to drive the Kodiaq, we spoke with one of the officials who drove the SUV on the road. According to him, the ride is comfortable overall, though a bit firm over sharp bumps, especially noticeable in the third row.

On highways, it stays flat and composed, with good high-speed stability and grip, though there's slight body roll. The steering is light in the city and gains weight at speed, but lacks strong feedback. Braking is sharp and confidence-inspiring, with discs on all four wheels. 

Considering the fact that it is a big 7 seater, it has more than enough power for confident overtakes and relaxed cruising. Skoda says it gets 14.86 kmpl, which is a 2 kmpl increase from the ongoing model. The ride quality is classic Skoda – comfortable and smooth, soaking up most bad roads easily. It handles smartly, feeling stable in corners, and the AWD gives extra confidence.

Verdict: A Strong Contender, Elevated

The 2025 Skoda Kodiaq, which we saw launched today in Faridabad, is a truly compelling package. It builds on its strengths while embracing new design and tech. It’s more spacious, has more features, and feels much more luxurious than before. The Moon White exterior with the Cognac and Black interior we saw was particularly striking, giving it a subtle premium vibe.

Starting at an ex-showroom price of around Rs. 46.89 Lakh for the Sportline and going up to Rs. 48.69 Lakh for the L&K, the Kodiaq is positioned well in the premium 7-seater SUV market.

While some might miss ADAS, its extensive safety features (9 airbags!) and sheer number of comfort and convenience amenities more than make up for it.

For families looking for a practical, comfortable, and sophisticated SUV with European flair and Skoda's "Simply Clever" touches, the 2025 Kodiaq ticks all the right boxes. 

It’s more than just a car; it's an experience. The Kodiaq is back, and from what we saw, it's better than ever!