Skoda recently announced an upgrade of its large seven seat Kodiaq SUV range, now petrol-powered replacing diesel power in the outgoing models.

Three grades Kodiaq Style, mid-spec Sportline and the flagship RS, all four-wheel drive and refreshed with new design grille, LED headlights, taillights with animated indicators and redesigned alloy wheels. The Kodiaq has long been a firm favourite, a perfect package size for a seven-seater.

I took the new RS model for an extensive test over Easter – the outgoing RS ran a 2.0-litre turbo diesel, this latest model utilises a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 180kW of power driving through a seven speed DSG transmission. Torque is down compared to the turbo diesel, but the petrol model is now 60 kilos lighter and quicker to 100k’s.  The Kodiaq RS is a very polished performance skewed luxury all-wheel-drive SUV, loaded with features and well priced at $74,990 drive-away.

With six available drive modes, adaptive suspension, and progressive steering it’s a drivers’ SUV – able to adapt to your driving mood on the day – a relaxed driver or readily able to provide very competent sports motoring when required. Over 2100 kilometres of motoring with much highway cruising I averaged 8.3L/100.

I found the Skoda Kodiaq RS SUV hard to fault in any way.

I’m David Berthon.

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