Skoda Kodiaq 2020: detailed specifications, pros and cons of the model

Sedan Skoda Kodiaq The 2020 model year remains one of the most popular crossovers in the segment 7-seater family cars. The Czech manufacturer managed to combine in this model a spacious interior and a reliable technical base of the platform MQB and an affordable price compared to German competitors. But what exactly does it offer? Kodiak 2020? Should you buy it today on the secondary market or choose from new stock?

In this material we will analyze all key characteristics - from engines and transmissions to multimedia systems and safety. We will pay special attention unique feature of the 2020 model: an updated 2.0 TSI turbo engine with a power of 190 hp, which became available in Russia only from this generation. We will also compare Kodiak with main competitors - Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Hyundai Santa Fe — and we will give practical advice on choosing the configuration.

Technical characteristics of Skoda Kodiaq 2020: engines and transmissions

In 2020 Skoda Kodiaq was offered with four types of power units, of which three were officially supplied to the Russian market. All of them comply with environmental standards Euro 6 and adapted to work on AI-95 (for petrol versions). Let's look at each in more detail.

The base engine remained naturally aspirated 1.5 TSI 150 hp, familiar from previous generations. It is equipped with a system ACT (Active Cylinder Technology), which turns off two cylinders at low loads to save fuel. However, owners note that in practice the consumption rarely drops below 9.5 l/100 km in the urban cycle. For all-wheel drive versions, this engine was combined exclusively with 7-speed “robot” DSG-7, which sometimes causes complaints due to jerks when switching.

• 🔥 1.5 TSI (150 hp) - economical, but rather weak for a heavy crossover
• ⚡ 2.0 TSI (190 hp) — the optimal choice for dynamic driving
• 🛢️ 2.0 TDI (150/190 hp) — diesel for long trips (unofficial)
• ❄️ 4×4 Haldex — plug-in all-wheel drive with 5th generation clutch

The flagship new product of 2020 was 2.0 TSI with 190 hp, which replaced the previous version with 180 hp. This motor accelerates Kodiak up to 100 km/h for 7.8 seconds (with all-wheel drive) and provides confident pickup on the highway. Important: goes with it DSG-7 "wet" type, which is more reliable than the “dry” version from 1.5 TSI. Diesel versions 2.0 TDI were not officially supplied to Russia, but are found on the secondary market in imported versions.

Dimensions, ground clearance and payload: how spacious is the Kodiak?

Skoda Kodiaq belongs to the class full-size crossovers with body length 4,699 mm - this is 275 mm more than Tiguan, and only 50 mm less than Volkswagen Atlas. Thanks to the wheelbase in 2,791 mm The interior turned out to be really spacious, especially in the second row. The third row of seats, despite the modest 700 mm legroom, suitable for passengers up to 170 cm tall for short trips.

Ground clearance (ground clearance) as standard is 194 mm, which is 10 mm more than Hyundai Santa Fe. In this case, the approach/departure angles (19.4°/21.2°) allow you to overcome light off-road conditions without the risk of catching the bumper. Maximum towed trailer weight - 2,000 kg (for versions with 2.0 TSI), and the luggage capacity varies from 270 l (for 7 passengers) up to 2,065 l (with seats folded).

Parameter	Skoda Kodiaq 2020	Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace	Hyundai Santa Fe (2020)
Length, mm	4 699	4 701	4 770
Wheelbase, mm	2 791	2 791	2 765
Ground clearance, mm	194	180	185
Trunk volume (5 seats), l	630	560	571
Weight of towed trailer, kg	2 000	2 200	1 650

Please note: when loading the trunk over 500 kg The function of lifting the rear door with your foot is automatically disabled (if it is included in the package). This is done for safety, as the sensors may not work correctly. The instruction manual also states that maximum roof load (for example, for the trunk) should not exceed 75 kg.

Options and equipment: what did the official dealer offer in 2020?

In 2020 Skoda Kodiaq in Russia it was officially sold in four trim levels: Active, Ambition, Style and L&K. Basic version Active cost from RUB 2,299,000 and included a minimal set of options: 17" wheels, fabric upholstery, 6 airbags and multimedia system Swing with 6.5-inch screen. However, even it had useful “tricks” like umbraco (umbrella in the door) and ice cubes in the glove compartment.

The configuration was considered the most balanced Ambition (from RUB 2,549,000), where they appeared:

• 🎵 8" touch screen with support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 🔥 Dual zone climate control with separate controls for rear passengers
• 🚗 Rear view camera with dynamic markup
• 💡 LED headlights with function Coming/Leaving Home

Top version L&K (from RUB 3,199,000) added leather interior with heating/ventilation, 19-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control and parking assistance system with 360° camera. It's interesting that in L&K a unique option has appeared - Virtual Pedal (virtual trunk pedal), which allows you to open the door with a simple movement of your foot under the bumper.

What is the Virtual Pedal system and how does it work?

The Virtual Pedal system uses a motion sensor under the rear bumper. To open the trunk, just move your foot under the central part of the bumper (from right to left or left to right, depending on the setting). The function only works if there is a key in the range (within a radius of ~1.5 m from the car) and is disabled if the trunk is already open or the car is moving.

Important nuance: in 2020 Skoda started offering optional dashboard Virtual Cockpit (digital instrument panel) even for equipment Ambition, but only in conjunction with the engine 2.0 TSI. This should be taken into account when choosing on the secondary market - such cars are valued higher.

Safety and electronics: how reliable is the 2020 Kodiak?

In crash tests Euro NCAP 2017 (current for 2020 model) Skoda Kodiaq received 5 stars out of 5 possible. The car showed good results in protecting adult passengers (92%) and children (79%). Particularly noted rigid body with programmable deformation zones and rollover prevention system, which automatically brakes the wheels during sudden maneuvers.

Standard equipment includes:

• 🛡️ 6 airbags (including driver's knee)
• 🚦 Emergency braking assistance system AEB (recognizes pedestrians)
• 🔄 ESC with trailer stabilization function
• 👁️ Blind Spot Monitoring Blind Spot Detect (optional)

However, there is also disadvantages. For example, 360° camera included Style has low resolution, making it difficult to see small obstacles. Owners also complain about false alarms of the system Lane Assist (lane keeping assistant) on broken roads - the car may steer spontaneously if the function is not turned off.

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System Traffic Jam Assist (traffic jam assistant) in Kodiak 2020 only works up to a speed of 60 km/h and requires clear road markings. On Russian highways its effectiveness is limited.

Critical Feature: in models before facelift 2021 parking sensors located too low. When driving in snow or mud, they often become dirty, which leads to false signals. The problem is solved by regular cleaning or installation of protective linings (cost ~3,000 rub. per set).

Real fuel consumption and operational nuances

Official fuel consumption data for Skoda Kodiaq 2020 look optimistic:

• 🛣️ 1.5 TSI — 6.7 l/100 km (suburban cycle), 9.2 l/100 km (city)
• ⚡ 2.0 TSI (190 hp) — 7.1 l/100 km (country), 10.5 l/100 km (city)

But real reviews from owners paint a different picture.

Yes, for 1.5 TSI in winter in the city the consumption often reaches 11–12 l/100 km, especially during frequent short trips (the engine does not have time to warm up). 2.0 TSI more gluttonous - in cold weather 13–14 l/100 km not the limit. At the same time, on the highway both engines show values close to their rated values: 7.5–8.5 l/100 km at speed 90–110 km/h.

Fuel saving tips:

• 🔋 Use the mode Eco on combined trips (saves up to 0.7 l/100 km).
• 🛞 Monitor the tire pressure: low by 0.2 bar increases consumption by 1–1.5 l/100 km.
• 🚗 When towing a trailer, turn off Start-Stop - the system may not operate correctly.

Check the antifreeze level (add if necessary)

Install winter tires (recommended size: 235/55 R18)

Diagnose the battery (capacity not lower than 70 Ah)

Treat door locks and seals with silicone grease

Disable the automatic folding mirror function (the mechanism may freeze) -->

Important operational nuance: in Kodiake 2020 used oil VW 504 00/507 00 with extended replacement interval (15,000 km or 1 year). However, when driving in the city or frequent cold starts, it is better to reduce the interval to 10,000 km. Ignoring this rule may lead to engine coking, especially the 1.5 TSI.

Comparison with competitors: Kodiak vs Tiguan Allspace vs Santa Fe

Main competitors Skoda Kodiaq 2020 - this is Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (on the same platform MQB) and Hyundai Santa Fe (Korean approach to space and equipment). Let's look at the key differences.

Skoda Kodiaq vs Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace:

• ✅ Kodiak is cheaper on 150–200 thousand rubles. in similar configurations.
• ✅ More space in the third row (+30 mm according to legroom).
• ❌ Worse sound insulation (y Tiguan an additional layer of vibration-absorbing material is used).
• ❌ Less prestigious brand (which affects the residual value).

Skoda Kodiaq vs Hyundai Santa Fe:

• ✅ More reliable engines (Korean engines Theta II prone to oil burn).
• ✅ Better handling thanks to European suspension tuning.
• ❌ Fewer options in the basic configuration (y Santa Fe Even the base has a heated steering wheel).
• ❌ More expensive service (spare parts VW Group 1.5–2 times more expensive than Korean ones).

Conclusion: Kodiak wins in terms of price, space and reliability, but loses in prestige and comfort. If your priority is practicality and economy, the choice is obvious. If more important status and rich equipment, it's worth taking a closer look at Tiguan Allspace or Santa Fe.

Pros and cons of Skoda Kodiaq 2020: honest owner review

Based on reviews from forums (Drive2, Kodiaq-Club.ru) and test drives, we have compiled a list of real pros and cons of the model. Let's start with advantages.

Pros:

• 🚗 Spacious salon - one of the most spacious in the class.
• 💰 Low cost of ownership compared to VW and Audi.
• 🔧 Simple design — many works (replacing lamps, filters) can be done independently.
• 🛡️ Good passive safety (hard body, 5 stars Euro NCAP).
• 🎵 High-quality audio system Canton in top trim levels.

Cons:

• 🔊 Poor sound insulation - at speeds above 100 km/h noise from the wheels is heard.
• 🛞 Stiff suspension complete with 19-inch wheels.
• 🔋 Electronics problems - sometimes multimedia is glitchy (MIB2).
• 💸 Expensive original spare parts (for example, the headlight is ~50,000 rub.).
• ❄️ Weak windshield heating - It takes a long time to thaw in winter.

Typical owner complaints:

⚠️ Attention: On 2020 models with engine 1.5 TSI there is a problem with oil leak from under the valve cover. The reason is poor quality sealant. It is recommended to check the oil level every 1,000 km for the first time 30,000 km mileage

⚠️ Attention: B DSG-7 (especially “dry”) may appear vibration when starting. This can be treated by flashing the control unit, but not all dealers do this under warranty.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the Skoda Kodiaq 2020

❓ Which engine is better to choose for the city: 1.5 TSI or 2.0 TSI?

For the city 2.0 TSI (190 hp) preferable - it pulls more confidently from low revs and is less “stupid” when overtaking. 1.5 TSI suitable if you drive mostly on the highway or want to save on fuel consumption (the difference in the city is up to 2 l/100 km).

❓ Is it possible to install gas equipment on Kodiak 2020?

Technically yes, but Skoda does not officially recommend do this as engines TSI sensitive to octane number. If you decide, choose equipment 4th generation with direct injection (eg Stag QBOX) and prepare yourself for loss of warranty.

❓ What tires does the factory recommend for 18-inch wheels?

Official sizes: 235/60 R18. Factory recommends models Continental ContiCrossContact LX2 or Michelin Primacy 4. Suitable for winter Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 or Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32.

❓ How much does maintenance cost for Kodiak 2020 in the official service?

Cost of scheduled maintenance (every 15,000 km):

• 🔧 scheduled maintenance #1 (oil change + filter) — ~8,000–10,000 rub.
• 🔧 scheduled maintenance #2 (oil change + air filter) — ~12,000–14,000 rub.
• 🔧 scheduled maintenance #3 (oil change + fuel filter for diesel) — ~15,000–18,000 rub.

Prices are relevant for Moscow and may differ in regions.

❓ What hidden options are there in Kodiak that dealers don't talk about?

B Skoda Kodiaq 2020 There are several "secret" functions:

• 🔑 Keyless Entry Keyless can be activated even in Ambition, if you buy a set of sensors (~25,000 rub.).
• 🎵 Hidden uniform sound - in multimedia settings (Sound → Equalizer → Flat) there is a pre-configured profile for classical music.
• 🚗 Mode Snow (for snow) switched on by long pressing the button ESP Off - changes the logic of work DSG and ESC.