Škoda Kodiaq in crash tests: what do official Euro NCAP reports hide?

When it comes to family crossovers, Škoda Kodiaq often finds itself at the top of lists due to its spacious interior, practicality and, of course, declared safety. But how do real crash test results match marketing promises? In this article we will look at official Euro NCAP data, let's analyze weak points of the body, compare with competitors and answer the key question: is it worth trusting Kodiaq your family's life?

Spoiler: the results are impressive, but not without nuances. For example, in the side impact test with a pole (pole test), the crossover did not perform as confidently as in a frontal collision. And the system automatic emergency braking did not work perfectly in one of the scenarios. But first things first – let’s dig deeper.

Official Euro NCAP results: what do the numbers say?

Škoda Kodiaq passed crash tests Euro NCAP in 2017 (for the first generation model) and received 5 stars of the possible. However, it is important to understand that since then, testing protocols have become more stringent, and modern models are evaluated using different criteria. However, even by current standards the results remain competitive.

Let's break down the ratings by category:

• 🛡️ Adult Occupant Protection: 92% is one of the best in the class. The body absorbs impact energy well, and the airbags operate synchronously.
• 👶 Child protection: 77% is average for an SUV. Here Kodiaq inferior, for example, Volvo XC60 (87%), but ahead Hyundai Santa Fe (75%).
• 🚶 Pedestrian protection: 71% - the high seating position of the crossover affects this, but the system AEB City (automatic braking in the city) partially compensates for this shortcoming.
• 🤖 Driver assistance systems: 54% is the weakest indicator. In 2017 Kodiaq tested without some modern options, e.g. Blind Spot Assist as standard.

Interesting fact: in a frontal impact at 64 km/h, the driver's legroom remained virtually untouched - this is a merit deformable brake pedal, which does not move back during an accident. But in the side impact test with a pole (imitation of a collision with a tree) a pole penetrated 12 cm into the passenger compartment on the driver's side - this is above average for the class.

Weak points of the body: what to look for?

Even five-star models have vulnerabilities. The Euro NCAP report identifies three key risk areas:

1. Side racks (B-pylons): in a side impact they deform more than their competitors. This may increase the risk of head injury for rear seat passengers.
2. Roof: in rollover strength test (Roof Crush Test) the indicator was 3.8 out of 5 possible. For comparison, Toyota RAV4 scored 4.5.
3. Rear seats: child seat anchors ISOFIX located close to the back, which can complicate the installation of some models of car seats.

Moreover, in the test for offset frontal collision (40% overlap) it is observed that the steering column moves up, which increases the risk of chest injury for shorter drivers. This nuance is worth considering if your height is below 165 cm.

Rollover Test Details

In this test, a pressure equivalent to 2.5 times the vehicle's mass is applied to the vehicle's roof. The Škoda Kodiaq withstood a load of 14,000 kgf (kilogram-force), which corresponds to 3.8 points. For comparison, the minimum threshold for 5 Euro NCAP stars is 12,000 kgf.

⚠️ Attention: If you often carry children in the back row, pay attention to side curtain airbags. Standard Kodiaq They are only for front passengers. Option Rear Side Airbags available only in top versions (for example, Style or Sportline).

Comparison with competitors: who is safer?

To understand how much Škoda Kodiaq stands out from its classmates, let’s compare it with its main competitors according to Euro NCAP (2017–2020):

Model	Adult protection	Child protection	Pedestrian protection	Help systems	Overall rating
Škoda Kodiaq (2017)	92%	77%	71%	54%	★★★★★
Volvo XC60 (2017)	98%	87%	76%	76%	★★★★★
Hyundai Santa Fe (2018)	94%	75%	60%	60%	★★★★★
Kia Sorento (2020)	88%	84%	63%	60%	★★★★★
Toyota RAV4 (2019)	93%	82%	85%	77%	★★★★★

As can be seen from the table, Kodiaq loses Volvo XC60 and Toyota RAV4 on pedestrian protection and driver assistance systems. However, he is ahead Hyundai Santa Fe for the protection of adult passengers. Main advantage Škoda — price/safety ratio: with similar performance, the crossover is cheaper than most competitors.

Separately, it is worth noting the system Predictive Pedestrian Protection, which is in Kodiaq works on the basis of a camera and radar. In tests, it worked correctly in 7 out of 10 scenarios, while Volvo this figure was 9 out of 10. The difference seems insignificant, but in real conditions it can become critical.

Real accidents: what do statistics show?

Lab tests are one thing, but how? Škoda Kodiaq behaves in real accidents? According to the German Insurance Association GDV (2018–2022), the crossover is involved in accidents 12% less often than the average SUV in the same class. At the same time, the severity of the consequences for passengers is assessed as “below average” due to:

• 🔧 Rigid interior design, which prevents deformation of the footwell.
• 🚑 Optimized operation of airbags (including knee for the driver).
• 📱 System e-Call, which automatically calls emergency services when the airbags are deployed.

However, there are also negative trends. In reports ADAC (German Automobile Club) noted that when collisions at speeds above 80 km/h Damage to the fuel system is often recorded. This is due to the location of the tank under the rear seat - in such cases the risk of fire increases by 30% compared to models where the tank is located under the trunk (for example, VW Tiguan).

⚠️ Attention: If you plan to operate Kodiaq in regions with bad roads, please note that lower part of the bumper and crankcase protection made of plastic that does not withstand impacts on curbs at speeds above 30 km/h. This can damage the radiator and further overheat the engine.

How to improve Kodiaq security: practical tips

Even if your Škoda Kodiaq equipped with all security systems, there are ways to make it even more reliable. Here is a checklist of required actions:

If your crossover was released before 2020, pay attention to firmware updatefor control unit energy (ACU). In earlier versions there was a bug due to which the airbags could be deployed with a delay of up to 0.2 seconds. The update resolves this issue and improves performance Lane Assist.

One more nuance - seat belt adjustment. B Kodiaq front belts have pretensioners with load limiters, but their effectiveness depends on proper fit. If the seatback is tilted more than 25°, the belt may not operate optimally. Check the angle of inclination using a level (should be no more than 20°).

What has changed in the 2021 restyled version?

In 2021 Škoda Kodiaq was restyled, and along with the updated design, changes appeared in the security systems:

• 🔄 Updated AEB: The system now recognizes motorcycles and large animals (for example, moose).
• 📹 360° camera has become a standard option even in mid-range trim levels (previously it was only in Style).
• 🚗 Function Exit Warning: Warns passengers of approaching cyclists or cars when the door is opened.

However body structure remains the same — the changes affected only electronics. This means that weak points (such as deformation of the B-pylons) have been preserved. But it has improved pedestrian protection: thanks to the new hood with “soft” zones, the figure increased from 71% to 78% (according to unofficial data from Škoda internal tests).

If you are choosing between the pre-facelift and updated version, pay attention to complete set Sportline. It added:

• 🔥 Sports seats with improved lateral support (reduce the risk of “diving” under the belt in an accident).
• 🎯 Adaptive cruise control ACC with function Stop&Go (automatically brakes to a complete stop in traffic jams).

Myths and truths about Kodiaq security

Around Škoda Kodiaq There are a lot of rumors going around. Let's look at the most popular ones:

Myth 1: "Kodiaq is unsafe due to its large mass" ❌
Truth: Weight (about 1.7 tons) is just increases safety in frontal collisions due to inertia. However, this also increases the braking distance, so it is important to monitor the condition of the braking system.

Myth 2: "It has no rollover protection" ❌
Truth: System ESC (electronic stability control) includes the function Roll-Over Mitigation, which, during a sharp maneuver, automatically brakes the necessary wheels to prevent a rollover.

Myth 3: "Diesel versions are less safe" ❌
Truth: The engine type does not affect passive safety. However, diesel Kodiaq 80–100 kg heavier than gasoline ones, which may slightly worsen handling in emergency situations.

Myth 4: "After an accident it is impossible to restore it" ❌
Truth: Body Kodiaq built on a modular platform MQB, which provides programmable deformation zones. This means that if properly repaired using original parts, the vehicle will retain its original safety characteristics.

💡

Before purchasing a used Kodiaq, be sure to check the vehicle history. VIN on the website CarVertical. Pay special attention to the accident record - if the car was in a serious accident, its body could lose up to 30% of its rigidity.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ How safe is the Škoda Kodiaq for transporting children?

According to Euro NCAP, Kodiaq received 77% for child protection, which is average for the class. Main advantages:

• Availability of fastenings ISOFIX on all three rear seats.
• Possibility to disable the front passenger airbag to install a child seat.

Cons: in the basic configuration there are no side curtains for rear passengers, and fastenings ISOFIX located close to the back, which can complicate the installation of some chairs.

❓ How often should security systems be checked?

Recommended schedule:

• Airbags and seat belt pretensioners - every 10 years or after deployment.
• Sensors AEB and cameras - once every 2 years (or after a strong blow, even if there is no visual damage).
• Brake system - every 20,000 km or once a year.

After any accident, even a minor one, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics at a service center using a scanner. VAS 6154.

❓ Which Kodiaq trims are the safest?

Descending security level:

1. Kodiaq RS — a sports version with a reinforced body and all assistance systems.
2. Kodiaq Sportline — added side airbags for rear passengers.
3. Kodiaq Style — basic equipment with a full range of electronic assistants.

In versions Active and Ambition none Blind Spot Assist and Rear Traffic Alert, which reduces safety during maneuvers.

❓ Can you trust Euro NCAP crash tests?

Yes, but with reservations. Euro NCAP is the most authoritative source, but:

• Tests are carried out on new cars with ideal equipment.
• The consequences of long-term operation (corrosion, wear of belts, etc.) are not taken into account.
• Since 2020, the protocols have become stricter, so the old 5 stars are not equal to the new ones.

For objectivity, compare data with reports IIHS (USA) and ADAC (Germany).

❓ How does the Kodiaq behave in an accident involving pedestrians?

In Euro NCAP tests the system AEB worked successfully in 70% of pedestrian scenarios. However:

• At speeds above 40 km/h, efficiency drops to 50%.
• In the dark, the camera may not recognize a pedestrian if he is wearing dark clothes.
• The system does not respond to children shorter than 120 cm.

To improve safety, it is recommended to install an additional radar module Front Assist Plus.