Next-gen Kodiaq launch by 2025

The second-gen Skoda Kodiaq, globally unveiled last October, will be brought to India next year. Autocar India can now confirm that the new Kodiaq will be launched in the April to June quarter of 2025.

In conversation with Petr Janeba, Skoda India brand director, we learned that the new-gen Kodiaq will be brought to the country via the CKD route. When asked why it was taking so long for the Kodiaq to arrive here when it's already on sale in other markets, Janeba said that it’s easier to bring CBU vehicles to the country, but that it isn’t possible for parts and components since they need to be homologated as per the latest norms.

Further, he revealed that Skoda is in the works of developing new racks for the containers to be shipped to India to put parts of the right-hand drive Kodiaq in. “The car is completely new. That’s why the racks need to be completely new. And this development of the rack to have the most efficient setup. This is exactly why we always take a little time.”

The second-gen Kodiaq has so far only been revealed with a LHD configuration as the right-hand drive version for India is still being tested. The SUV was also spied testing in the country a few weeks ago sans camouflage.

Skoda has confirmed that the Kodiaq will continue to be offered with the same powertrain as the outgoing model: the 190hp, 320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto feeding power to all four wheels.

The India-spec Kodiaq is expected to be offered with more or less same equipment as the model sold in Europe. A new 13-inch, freestanding touchscreen takes centre stage and controls most of the vehicle’s functions. Also on offer will be a fully digital instrument cluster along with three new physical ‘smart dials’. The outer two rotary knobs, each housing a 32mm colour display, are used to adjust the full suite of climate controls for the driver and passengers, while the one in the middle can be configured to control the infotainment volume, driving modes, zoom function of the map and air conditioning.

The Kodiaq is currently available in a single, fully loaded L&K variant, priced at Rs 39.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Due to the changes, a price hike is expected. Skoda has confirmed that the current-gen model will continue to be on sale in India till the end of this year, followed by a 3- to 6-month break until the new model arrives.

Skoda’s upcoming compact SUV is slated to launch in February 2025. “We want to let it be the hero, at least for another two months, like March and April. So we don't want to spoil the childhood of the compact SUV. The child needs to grow first and then another one can come in,” added Janeba.