Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 Sportline Facelift Review

Don't bother adjusting the screen or giving your eyes a gentle rub.

What you're looking at is not another review of the same Skoda Kodiaq RS that we took out in July 2022, but instead the Kodiaq in its 'Sportline' trim. It's currently the entry-point to the Kodiaq range here (following the removal of the 'Ambition' trim Kodiaq from Skoda's pricelist since March of 2024), but don't imagine for a second that you'll find this SUV lacking.

The 'Sportline' trim Skoda Kodiaq comes with chrome tailpipes framed within a chrome horizontal element within its rear diffuser, as well as body-coloured front and rear aprons and side skirts

Stunning looks

To start, this 'Sportline' Kodiaq looks just as appealing as the Kodiaq RS we tested all those months back, especially if you opt to have yours in this stunning Race Blue Metallic exterior finish.

This comes thanks to this car's use of delicious gloss black for its front grille alongside its in-trend black badging, while at the rear, this Kodiaq also retains the stylish full-width reflector bar - all design features that we saw on the Kodiaq RS car.

And this 'Sportline' Kodiaq is not short on equipment either: You should have noticed that this car still gets black roof rails alongside some sizeable 19-inch rims, while in the cabin, a panoramic sunroof is also present - a feature sure the win the hearts of the rest of your family.

The 8.0-inch Bolero infotainment system is responsive enough, but there's also traditional buttons for the air-conditioning controls here

Practical appointments

You and your dearest, meanwhile, will get to sit atop some nifty sports seats that offer plenty of lateral support, although their backs can trap a fair amount of heat.

But the rest of the cabin here is a triumph. This 'Sportline' trim Kodiaq gets Skoda's 8.0-inch Bolero infotainment system (as opposed to the 9.2-inch system found in the Skoda Kodiaq RS, which is both easy to use and quick to react).

The Skoda Kodiaq comes with plenty of storage options in its cabin for your smartphone and various knick-knacks

And this additionally comes supported by a host of physical buttons located on the dashboard and centre console that allow for quick changes to the air-conditioning settings or easy switches between drive modes.

And at the other end of the cabin, the two seated in the last row don't get their own air-conditioning vents, but they won't have to get too cosy, so long as those in the second row agree to slide their seats forward a bit and sacrifice what is otherwise a generous amount of knee room.

A capable drive

Second-row passengers get plenty of knee and leg room here, although they will have to sacrifice some of these if those in the third row want to sit in reasonable comfort

Where this 'Sportline' trim Kodiaq does significantly differ from the Kodiaq RS, however, is under the bonnet.

Here, a 148bhp 1.5-litre unit does service and sends its power solely to the front wheels, as opposed to the 241bhp 2.0-litre engine that powers all four wheels of the Kodiaq RS.

Will you miss that 93bhp? If hard acceleration at speed is part of your expectation from a family SUV, then yes. The 250Nm offered by the 1.5-litre engine does enough to mask the car's 1,646kg weight at slower speeds, but take on the highway and you'll find overtaking manoeuvres requiring a fair bit of hard revving - the car's seven-speed transmission and its reluctance to perform downshifts not aiding affairs here. 

The quiet operation of the 1.5-litre engine makes it a fine pairing for the family-ferrying duties of the Skoda Kodiaq

Thankfully, the Kodiaq executes downshifts quickly enough should you opt to take over control over the gearbox yourself via the steering wheel paddles.

Take a more relaxed approach to your commutes and the Kodiaq responds more favourably, delivering a quiet drive and rounding off all but the sharpest edges on the road. And you should see the car reaching a fuel economy close to 11.5km/L when driven as such - a respectable figure for a seven-seater SUV of this size.

Features such as the black badging and sports seats do much to elevate the appeal of the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline ahead of other family SUVs

A competent all-rounder

At $218,900, those looking at this Skoda Kodiaq Sportline are most likely to compare it against the Peugeot 5008, which comes in at $195,888, albeit with a slightly weaker 129bhp engine.

But there's one additional option to consider: The all-new Skoda Kodiaq, complete with a new cabin design and infotainment system while promising more cabin space, is scheduled to arrive here in Singapore by the third quarter of 2024.

For those who want seven-seater practicality alongside all the rugged and sporty looks of an SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq should be an irresistible option

For those who are in no hurry to get their next SUV, these features alone should make the next Kodiaq worth the wait. But do also consider the fact that this upcoming Kodiaq is, extrapolating from the way in which Volkswagen Group Singapore has approached its product launches, likely to arrive here firstly equipped with the firm's 201bhp 2.0-litre engine. Then there's also the fact that, as a newer, better-equipped, and more powerful car, this upcoming Kodiaq is also likely to arrive here commanding a premium above the model which we have driven here.

So, for those who think this Kodiaq in its 'Sportline' trim is enough of a looker and find its impressive mix of cabin space and versatility combined with its capable drivetrain sufficient for duty as their family carrier, this could well be the opportune moment to sign on that dotted line.

Just be sure to get yours in this delicious Race Blue Metallic.

Looking for your next family SUV? There's also these popular options to consider:

The Mazda CX-60 is a likeable SUV with a handsome exterior and well-appointed cabin

The Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class delivers on rugged design and comes with an eye-catching infotainment system

There's also the Honda CR-V, which comes with a punchy drivetrain and a well-sorted ride