Skoda Kodiaq Scout review: Czech automakers switch gears, in pursuit of ‘off-road’ special

NAGPUR: A bold and striking SUV demands an equally attractive venue to put to test. We drove down the all-new Skoda Kodiaq Scout to Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh from Nagpur and back -- around 200 kilometers comprising miles on the highway, an extended stretch on the wet tarmac and some part through the majestic forest.
The seven-seater isn't exactly a brand new product.With the existing L&K and Style variants, the off-road biased, Scout, brings in more options for the buyers along with strengthening the Kodiaq portfolio.

What's new in the design?
The dimensions of the 4.7-metre witness no changes, however, clever little tweaks have improvised the overall design language. The SUV wears a grin along with the sophistication, which is evident from the front facet.

The LED fog lamps are lifted, positioned at par with the bumper. The blacked-out grille is bottomed by a bold silver scuff plate on the bumper. The side profile features square wheel arches and angular mud flaps and the all-new 18-inch alloys. Step closer, silver-finished OVRMs, and the Kodiaq Scout embossed on the door sill strips and the roof rails indicate a hint of grace.

Scout design cues are unique over other Skoda offerings as it gets the automaker's name written in block letters on the tailgate -- a first of its kind approach. With rear bumper gets a silver diffuser and other highlights include the signature C-shaped tail light cluster. Overall, the layout is likeable and I found the new avatar good looking and sporty.
Interiors:
The three-row seat arrangement is wrapped with Alcantara leather with Scout badge stitched on them. The second row is spacious for three and comes with an armrest, power nap support, and blankets. The third row accommodates two people, however, it is slightly space crunched making the passengers sit in a knee-up position.

Slip into the driver’s seat, the plush and all-black interiors with wooden inserts offer a luxurious experience. A jumbo tray, dual glove box and bottle holders on the doors offer sufficient storage utility spaces.
Interestingly, the dashboard is supplied in a slightly off-beat approach. The speed and rpm count are displayed in analogue dials whereas the rest of the readouts are shown on a digital display. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped, height and tilt adjustable, along with integrated command buttons.

The infotainment system, on the other hand, appears slightly dated with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Equipped with an inbuilt navigation system, the tactile feel of the 7.8-inch display has a scope of refinement. The equipment packaging kit is the same as top-spec Kodiaq L&K, however, sans a Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster and 360-degree-view camera.
Engine and handling:
Under the hood, the same 2.0-litre TDI engine of L&K and Style pumps out 150PS power and 340Nm peak torque while mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. In terms of driving on the highway, the Scout performs just like the other two Kodiaqs -- pliant on open stretches, eager to chase three-digits on the speedometer. The all-wheel-drive gets an exclusive off-road mode along with four other modes (eco, normal, snow and customisable).

Switch to off-road mode, and the advanced car electronics take over, helping you overcome tricky situations. The speed is restricted to 30 kmph and your drive is electronically-aided. Similar to the hill-descent control system, the Scout requires only steering inputs and rest is managed by the SUV to take you through.

The system isn't flawless but a brilliant addition that might tempt you to choose roads less explored. However, slightly greater power was always welcomed. A ground clearance of 188mm and nicely-tuned suspension set up is a booster to take on bad terrains.
Safety features include nine airbags, ABS with EBD, iBuzz fatigue alert, hands-free parking, anti-theft alert, tyre pressure monitoring system and ISOFIX.
Price and competition:
The off-road variant Scout is cheaper than its cousins by a fair margin, making it the most affordable Kodiaq. But is it? If you look beyond Skoda, the prime rivals -- the top-end diesel Toyota Fortuner and Mahindra Alturas G4 4WD -- are competitive picks, priced at Rs 33.85 lakh and Rs 29.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

* Scout 2.0 TDI AT: Rs 33,99,000
* Style 2.0 TDI AT: Rs 35,36,599
* Laurin & Klement 2.0 TDI AT: Rs 36,78,599
Yet what works in favour of Kodiaq is its positioning, somewhere between the premium and luxury segment. Skoda’s flagship SUV might attract the buyers aiming at BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Volvo XC40, which are all priced more than the Kodiaq Scout.
Verdict:
Currently, around 4,000 Kodiaqs are plying on the road and like always a cheaper product creates excitement in consumer sentiment. However, Skoda’s limited presence to around 65 dealerships and service networks across the country just doesn’t bolster the brand’s reliability. Jumping onto the conclusion, Kodiaq Scout isn’t an outright off-roader and the current set of features bestowed on the SUV makes it a luxury six-seater with a feather in its cap.