The Kodiaq is, more or less, Skoda’s version of the Volkswagen Tiguan and goes against rivals such as the Kia Sorento, Nissan X-Trail and Hyundai Santa Fe.
If you live in a country where the Kodiaq is being sold and want something spicier than the regular models, or just a performance mid-size SUV that won’t break the bank, you may want to check out the Kodiaq RS (vRS in Britain).
Signalling its nature are a sporty body kit, 20-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, Alcantara and carbon fiber trim, contrast stitching, black rooflining and a few other features that highlight its special stance.
Also Watch: Should Skoda’s New Kodiaq Scare More Premium Rivals?
Oil burners might be getting a lot of heat lately, yet the Kodiaq RS is powered by as a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel with 240 PS (237 hp / 177 kW) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. It’s the brand’s most powerful diesel ever and comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This powertrain enables the Kodiaq RS to sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds flat and top out at 220 km/h (136 mph), which is very decent performance for a modern SUV with seating for seven.
The technical upgrades over the non-RS versions make it more engaging to drive. The steering is said to be pretty accurate and the suspension does a fairly good job at absorbing imperfections in the road, even with the 20-inch alloy wheels. Still, the ride can become stiffer at the push of a button, by selecting the sportiest driving mode if you really want to attack some corners.
At nearly £43,000 ($55,356/€48,998) in the United Kingdom, without any optional extras, the Kodiaq RS is almost a niche vehicle, as that’s quite a lot of money for a Skoda. And that’s one of its biggest drawbacks, but definitely not the only one. CarBuyer’s review shared right below details the sportiest Kodiaq’s strong and weak points, so it’s more than worth checking out.