Skoda Kodiaq's BOSS Move To Challenge The Toyota Fortuner!
Skoda has a variety of sedans and SUVs in their lineup. The flagship SUV in their Indian lineup at the moment is the Kodiaq. It is a premium or luxury SUV that competes with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner in the segment. To make things more interesting, Skoda has now launched a 5-seater version of the Kodiaq in the market at an attractive price of Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom. Skoda is calling the 5-seat version the Kodiaq Lounge variant, and it is going to be the new entry-level variant for the Kodiaq.
The Skoda Kodiaq Lounge variant is around Rs 3.8 lakh less expensive than the regular three-row variants. Although the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge variant is called an entry-level variant, it is not so basic when it comes to features and comfort.
The Skoda Kodiaq Lounge variant comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, roof rails, matte dark chrome bits on the grille, lower window garnish, and other places. On the inside, the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge variant comes with a Grey Suedia fabric upholstery for seats, a panoramic sunroof, rear sunblinds, a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless phone charging, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster or virtual cockpit, smart dials, a two-spoke steering wheel, ABS, EBD, ESC, MSR, ASR, EDL, HBA, DSR, RBS, ESBS, MCB, HSA, HDC, three-zone climate control, cruise control, drive modes, nine airbags, multiple USB-C charging ports, and so on.
Unlike the higher variants, the Skoda Kodiaq Lounge variant is only available in Moon White, Magic Black, and Graphite Grey colour options. The main attraction of this particular variant is that it is a 5-seater SUV, and because there are no third-row seats, this particular variant of the Kodiaq offers massive boot space.
While we spoke about the things and features that it will be getting, here is a list of items and features that will be missing from the entry-level variant. The Lounge variant won’t get driver drowsiness detection, an illuminated front grille, virtual pedal function for the electric tailgate, a 360-degree camera, intelligent parking assist, or the Canton music system.
With these things in place, the Skoda Kodiaq is being offered as a value-for-money product. While the Toyota Fortuner is considered a reliable, no-nonsense option, it doesn’t offer as many features as the Skoda. The price for the Fortuner starts at around Rs 33.65 lakh. It is even cheaper than the Tiguan R-Line that was launched in the market earlier this year.
Coming back to the Kodiaq, it is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI or turbocharged petrol engine that generates 201 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque. It is available with a 4x4 system. The price for the Lounge variant is Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom, while the higher Sportline variant costs Rs 43.76 lakh, ex-showroom, and the Kodiaq L&K costs Rs 45.96 lakh, ex-showroom.
Only the entry-level variant is a 5-seater. Skoda has now priced the Kodiaq quite aggressively. In 2017, when they launched the Kodiaq, the starting price for this SUV was around Rs 34.50 lakh.