Driving Skoda’s Kodiaq SUV today, earlier this year this three-model range gained some minor tweaks on an already impressive all-wheel-drive seven-seat SUV. Outside, slightly revised bumper and bonnet design, inside a redesigned perforated leather steering wheel and updates to its smartphone charging and connectivity. I drove the entry 2.0-litre 132kW turbo seven-speed automatic Kodiaq Style at $53,990 drive-away, far from entry. Highly packaged it exudes class with some nice finishes, the test car further optioned with a $6,700 luxury pack adding tri-zone climate control, electric front seats, heated and cooled front seats, full leather seat trim, LED headlights and lane assist with adaptive lane guidance. The overall package size of a Skoda Kodiaq appealing, some nice touches like an umbrella in the driver’s door, and a handy slot in the centre console for the inevitable smart key. Seat comfort in the first two rows excellent but cramped at best in the third row. The steering wheel now incorporates rollers on each arm for controlling infotainment functions, so easy to use – while the 9.2-inch infotainment screen itself comes with a relatively simply menu. The global chip shortage has disappointingly seen some of the Kodiaq’s specification deleted like the surround view camera. But still a very well packaged 7-seat SUV. I’m David Berthon.

Download this podcast here