The Skoda Kodiaq Scout represents a remarkable achievement for the Czech automaker. Lost in the madness that is the crossover and SUV segments, the Kodiaq Scout manages to create a little niche of its own. It’s not as premium as a BMW X1 or an Audi Q2. It doesn’t even have the status and name recall of volume models like the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5. Instead, the Kodiaq Scout sits in a sweet point that covers the different needs customer have for the segment. Essentially, it’s compact SUV with enough space, functionality, and practicality. It even costs a pittance, at least relative to the other models already mentioned. You may not want to hear from Skoda, but the Kodiaq Scout is making a loud impression.

Continue reading to learn more about the Škoda Kodiaq Scout.

Exterior

A big part of the Skoda Kodiaq Scout’s design appeal rests on the fact that it doesn’t try too hard to stand out. It carries Skoda’s design language with a form that makes us forget that it’s actually just a Volkswagen Golf that’s sitting on higher stilts. The unmistakable Skoda look is evident in the front as the crest-like front grille occupies a good amount of the real estate space in the area. The headlamps integrate themselves quite seamlessly, and apart from a few aggressive cuts and visual layering on the part of Skoda’s design team, the whole section looks smooth and uncluttered. Specially designed skid plates give the Scout heavy-duty underbody protection.

The side section gives us a good look at the SUV’s profile, and for a seven-seater, it still looks bigger. Maybe that’s a product of the Kodiaq Scout getting a high ground clearance to tackle the outdoors. Maybe it’s a visual representation of what the SUV has to offer in the cabin. Maybe it’s even a combination of both, something that shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who have found themselves enjoying the Yeti, the Kodiaq’s better-than-expected little brother. Whatever it is, the Kodiaq Scout has a physical vibe that seems to tell us it knows its purpose in life.

The rear section isn’t anything to scream about. The details are few and far in between, which is probably why it looks clean. There is a long, thin strip at the bottom that’s filled up by a mesh trim, giving it the section a splash of personality. Other than that, you’re not looking at this section of the SUV and immediately recognize it as a Skoda, at least if you don’t see the nameplates first.

Interior

One of the lesser-known benefits of an SUV with a higher ground clearance is the comfort that comes with sitting nice and high compared to smaller SUVs like the BMW X1 and the Audi Q2. That’s not to say that the Kodiaq Scout’s interior is teeming with luxury and comfort because you’re going to be sorely disappointed if that’s what you were expecting. Still, for what it has to offer, the SUV has a solid interior for its price point.

The dashboard, for example, is laid out nicely. Some of you might be alarmed at the number of buttons and toggle switches that are staring back at you, but they’re all clearly visible and labeled appropriately. Plus, the whole layout is clean and arranged neatly so your eyes won’t have to dart on an obscure corner to look for something that isn’t there. Even the 8.0-inch touchscreen, which comes standard on all trims apart from the entry-level S rim, is where it’s supposed to be. More importantly, it’s easy to operate.

The seats on the Skoda Kodiaq are comfortable, too. They can also be adjusted in a number of ways so all the occupants can sit in comfort. They’re even covered in Alcantara, which adds to the inherent refinement in the cabin. For its part, the steering wheel is wrapped in fine quality leather, and all models carry LED ambient lighting that’s available in 10 colors, to go with a Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB) with eight speakers. There are plenty of trim options available, too, in case the need to jazz up the cabin arises, especially if you feel that an extra splash of personality is worth the added cost.

The Kodiaq Scout doesn't lack in space, either. In fact, the five-seater Kodiaq comes with around 23 cubic feet of space, more than enough to hold its own against more expensive rivals. Drop all the seats, and that opens up an impressive 73 cubic feet of space, enough for you fit everything you’ll need on your next camping trip. On the other hand, cargo space drops on the seven-seater Kodiaq as there’s only 9.6 cubic feet of space available when all the seats are in their upright positions. Drop them all, and the interior opens up to the tune of 70.8 cubic feet of space.

You’re not getting top-class refinement out of the Kodiaq Scout — there are way too many plastic components in there — but if you know your lane and understand where the SUV sits in its segment, you’re going to be satisfied with what you get.

Drivetrain

The Skoda Kodiaq Scout comes with three different engines to choose from, including 1.4-liter TSI engine and TSI and TDI versions of the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit. The entry-level 1.4-liter unit is good for 150 horsepower, enough juice to propel the SUV in sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in 9.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 122 mph. If that kind of performance isn’t to your liking, you can opt for the bigger 2.0-liter TSI unit and get 180 horsepower out of it. That kind of power results in a 0-to-62-mph time of 8 seconds and a top speed of 128 mph.

Gas engines aren’t your thing? Skoda’s got you covered there, too, with its 2.0-liter TDI unit that delivers two levels of power — 150 horses and 190 horses — that can get you where you need to go. The 150-horsepower unit can run from 0 to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds while the 190-horsepower mill can do it a tad faster at 8.9 seconds and 130 mph, respectively.

Regardless of the model you choose, all versions of the Kodiaq Scout will get all-wheel drive capability. More importantly, the AWD system comes with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch that properly distributes the kind of load on the axles. That’s important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the ability to transfer different amounts of engine power depending on the situation. If you’re out buying groceries, all those horses are distributed efficiently to the front wheels whereas if you’re out in the outdoors, all four wheels get a taste of the juice depending on the situation.

The Kodiaq Scout doesn’t offer the most power or has the fastest performance capabilities. But at its price point, none of those matter. You get what Skoda gives, and the Czech automaker is giving enough of it on its full-sized SUV.

Prices

The Skoda Kodiaq Scout’s price starts at £33,225, which converts to just under $44,000. If you look at the price list of all variants of the Kodiaq, the Scout sits closer to the top-of-the-line Kodiaq Sportline, which starts at £33,390, or just a tick over $44,000. The entry-level S version, on the other hand, can be brought home for just £22,755, or just over $30,000.

Competition

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V classifies as a rival to the Skoda Kodiaq Scout, even if the latter comes with a seven-seat configuration. Differences aside, the CR-V is considered one of the titans of the compact SUV segment, so the Kodiaq Scout has to be on its A-game to compete against the CR-V. The Japanese SUV packs everything well, and it even has the Kodiaq Scout beat in the power department, thanks to a pair of engines — a 2.4-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC and a 1.5-liter, turbocharged, four-banger — that can deliver 184 horsepower and 190 horsepower, respectively. In terms of cargo space, the CR-V also takes it to the Skoda with 39.2 cubic feet of space when the seats are up and 75.8 cubic feet of space when the seats are folded. Pricing for the Hyundai CR-V starts at $24,045 for the entry-level LX trim and goes all the way up to $33,695 for the Touring range-topper.

Read our full review on the 2017 Honda CR-V

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson sits as another compact SUV that the Skoda Kodiaq Scout should worry about. The Korean SUV has gone through numerous transformations itself, but the current iteration packs its own lineup of notable features. The entry-level model is motived by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that delivers 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. If it is based on any of the other trim levels, it will be powered by a 1.6-liter, turbocharged, four-piston that delivers 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. In terms of space, the Tucson’s 31 cubic feet of space when the seats are up trumps the Kodiaq Scout. Flatten all the seats and the Czech SUV makes a comeback as the Tucson can only accommodate 61.9 cubic feet of space. Pricing for the Tucson starts at $22,700 for the base level SE trim and goes all the way up to around $32,000 for the top-of-the-line Tucson Limited.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson

Conclusion

A lot of you are probably wondering if the Skoda Kodiaq Scout is even worth looking into when there are plenty of other options out there. Some offer more premium cabins. Some have more powerful engines. And then there are some that are just more popular. Those are all fair points. But that doesn’t change my belief that the Kodiaq Scout is still worth a look, even if it’s just a glance. The Czech automaker has come a long way in developing models that can compete with the segment’s best, and the Kodiaq Scout is a good example of that. It’s never going to win any awards, but if you want an SUV that checks a lot of your requirements, then this model is worth more than a glancing look. Who knows, you might be surprised at what the Kodiaq Scout has to offer. And if by some chance you do get surprised, don’t feel bad because there’s a good chance that you’re not the only one.

Further Reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Skoda Kodiaq RS.

Read our full review on the 2017 Skoda Kodiaq.

Read more Skoda news.