Skoda Kodiaq RS

The cabin goes for an all-dark theme, intentionally dropping the lighter colours of the standard Kodiaq for a sportier layout.

Cabin Layout and Quality

• The dashboard uses black perforated leather and suede.
• You will notice red contrast stitching across the seats and door panels.
• There’s a new three-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel with the RS badge.

Seating Comfort

Front Row

• The front sports seats support you tightly during fast cornering.
• Both seats get power adjustments with memory settings.
• They also have heating and ventilation functions.

Second Row

• Space in the middle row is generous for tall adults.
• The bench can also slide and recline for long journeys.
• Three passengers can sit side-by-side inside this car comfortably.

Third Row

• The third row can get a little congested.
• It’s ideally meant for children or short city trips.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• The 12.9-inch touchscreen
• The 10.25-inch digital driver display
• A 13-speaker Canton audio system
• Dual wireless phone charging pads

Skoda sells the Kodiaq RS in India as a fully imported, one-variant unit.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine prioritises power over economy, so you get a naturally lower fuel economy from this car. Its ARAI-estimated mileage is 14.86 kmpl, while the fuel tank capacity is 58 litres, which can realistically cover roughly 500 to 700 kilometres per single refill.

Not only does the RS have a five-star Euro NCAP rating, but it’s also packed well enough with modern safety technology to protect families on fast highway runs.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

• The car gets nine airbags as standard.
• The body shell is stiff and uses high-strength steel.
• It comes with ISOFIX mounts for child seats.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

• Skoda provides a complete Level 2 ADAS suite.
• It has adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
• The electronic stability control also works closely with the all-wheel-drive system.

The interior of this car gets some tactile "Smart Dials": three rotary knobs below the infotainment. They provide climate control, heating and cooling, fan speed, volume, etc.

Infotainment and Interface

• A 12.9-inch touchscreen sits on the dashboard.
• It runs the main infotainment menus.
• It connects to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto quickly.
• The 10.25-inch digital display for the driver features unique RS graphics.

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• The centre console holds two wireless charging pads.
• Both pads have built-in cooling to prevent phones from overheating.
• The 13-speaker Canton audio system feels very loud and crisp.
• There is also three-zone climate control inside the cabin.

• With all seven seats upright, the boot provides 281 litres of space.
• Folding the third row down flat opens up a massive 786 litres of cargo room.
• Dropping the second row further unlocks 1,976 litres for carrying heavier cargo.

Seshan observes,

“The RS package doesn't compromise the qualities that make the Kodiaq such a practical family SUV.”

The RS sacrifices the soft, cloud-like ride of the standard Kodiaq for sharp, confident cornering.

City Driving

• The 20-inch wheels and thin tyres make the ride quality firm over broken roads.
• Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC Plus), however, softens the suspension in Comfort mode for daily commutes.
• The steering remains light at slow parking speeds.

Highway Driving

• High-speed stability is excellent; the car is rarely ever challenged by crosswinds.
• Its heavy body stays flat at triple-digit speeds.
• Wind noise is also kept out of the cabin effectively.

Seshan notices this about the driving mechanics,

"Here, the steering becomes more direct as steering inputs increase."

Skoda offers the Kodiaq RS in exactly one configuration.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• A soft ride quality over bad city roads
• Ventilated rear seats
• Factory-fitted powered side steps

The standard Kodiaq offers identical space and better comfort for Rs. 20 lakh less. Honestly, buying the RS is more of an emotional investment than a practical decision. You buy this car specifically for the engine and the handling. If you precisely need a seven-seater but also want the acceleration and cornering ability of a sports sedan, the Kodiaq RS fits that exact requirement. But do note that Skoda has only released one batch of this car so far, and all 50 units were spoken for quickly. So, you’ll likely have to wait for a second allocation.