I’ve been testing cars now for 36 years and for much of that time Mrs Berthon takes the wheel of most of my test cars – she made the comment after driving the new Skoda Kodiaq SUV that she finds Skoda’s very pleasant cars to drive. Founded in 1895 the Czechoslovakian brand has been owned by the German VW Group for some time and benefits greatly from that company’s technical underpinnings. The seven-seat mid-sized Skoda Kodiaq comes in 2.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel with seven-speed automatic and all-wheel- drive. Under light throttle pressure it’s a front wheel driver, under heavier load an all-wheel- drive. I tested the petrol Kodiaq and it proved a really pleasant all-rounder with a nice torque band. At $42,990 in petrol, $48,990 in diesel not the most affordable mid-sized SUV but Skoda has spec’d it up like a luxury model. And with the benefit of a 5-year warranty. Worst feature – access to the third row seats – most definitely kids only. I’m David Berthon

2017 ŠKODA KODIAQ.

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