Updated Skoda Kodiaq starts from £27,650

• Features updated exterior styling and technology
• Available in five trim levels with a choice of five engines
• Available to order from June, starting from £27,650

Further specifications and pricing details for the new Skoda Kodiaq SUV range have been released. The updated Kodiaq gets refreshed styling and a choice of five trim levels, including a new sporty vRS model.

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The new Kodiaq is available to order from next month, with prices starting from £27,650. The first customer cars are slated for delivery from July onwards. When it arrives, the updates to the Kodiaq will help keep it competitive against rival SUV models like the Peugeot 5008, Kia Sorento, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and the SEAT Tarraco.

2021 Skoda Kodiaq: Trim levels, equipment and pricing

The interior of the Kodiaq has received several minor updates including a new steering wheel design that can be specced in either a two or three-spoke design. Elsewhere, the 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital dial cluster remain unchanged, with all versions getting sat nav, voice control and smartphone connectivity as standard.

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Skoda has added a few additional interior trim and seat stitching colour options and an updated ambient interior lighting system. Other additions include new heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function; these are standard on the flagship L&K model. The optional Canton premium stereo system now has ten speakers as opposed to the eight-speaker system in the old car.

Kicking off the 2021 Kodiaq range is the SE model, which starts at £27,650 with five seats. Upgrading to the seven-seat version increases the starting price to £29,050. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, a rear spoiler with gloss black trim and a silver trim insert in the front bumper.

Standard interior tech includes keyless start, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a colour multifunction screen in the dial cluster. The interior trim includes grey contrasting stitching throughout the interior. A useful space-saver spare wheel is also included.

The SE L trim and above get seven seats as standard. This trim has full LED Matrix adaptive headlights with cornering functionality. Further styling upgrades include 19-inch alloy wheels and chrome finish roof rails. Inside, heated front seats and an electrically operated tailgate are also fitted. Prices for the SE L trim start at £31,895.

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The Sportline model starts at £38,805. It comes with 20-inch alloy wheels and gloss black trim on the front grille, roof rails, and window surrounds. The interior features microsuede-trimmed sports seats and a rear-view parking camera.

The luxurious L&K model starts at £41,720. It has 19-inch alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof. Leather seats are also standard, with those in the front getting ventilation and unique ‘L&K’ logos. Skoda’s virtual cockpit digital dial cluster is also fitted.

At the top of the range, the sporty vRS model has 20-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and a digital dashboard. Full pricing and specifications for the vRS are expected to be revealed in the coming months.

Design

The Kodiaq’s styling changes give it a sharper look, with a majority of the changes focusing on the front of the car. It gets a larger hexagonal front grille design, a new front bumper and a flatter bonnet. Other changes include a slimmer pair of standard LED headlights.

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The car’s side profile remains unchanged, with changes to the rear end limited to a new set of LED tail lights featuring Skoda’s crystalline lens pattern, as seen on the latest Octavia and Superb. All models feature dynamic scrolling indicators as standard.

Engines

The Kodiaq’s main engine range remains unchanged, so you’ll get a choice of two ‘TSI’ petrol engines and two ‘TDI’ diesel engines. Kicking off the range will be a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine with on-demand cylinder shutdown, front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. The other petrol is a 187bhp 2.0-litre engine with four-wheel drive and a DSG automatic gearbox, while both diesels are 2.0-litre units and offer either 148 or 197bhp with the more powerful unit getting four-wheel drive as standard.

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According to our sister site Auto Express, Skoda has no firm plans to add a plug-in hybrid of the Kodiaq to the lineup. This is despite the introduction of PHEV versions of both the Octavia and Superb, which use the VW Group’s 1.4-litre petrol/electric powertrain.

Skoda Kodiaq vRS

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After it's demise late last year, the sporty Skoda Kodiaq vRS has been reintroduced to the range, albeit with a different engine. It was previously fitted with a twin-turbo 237bhp diesel engine; the new model has a 2.0-litre petrol with 242bhp. This engine is shared with a number of VW Group models including the latest Golf GTI. No performance figures have been released but Skoda has confirmed the switch to petrol power has made the new vRS 60kg lighter than the old one.

Read our guides to the best SUVs and best family SUVs to see where the Kodiaq features in these lists.