Team-BHP - 2nd-gen Skoda Kodiaq spied in India

Skoda will announce prices for the second-gen Kodiaq on April 17. India will get the 7-seat version in two trims, L&K and Sportline.

Quote:

One of the highlights is the debut of ‘Smart Dials’. The three rotary dials positioned on the centre console integrate a small screen, with the outer two dials providing access to the three-zone climate control system, and the centre dial offering the ability to customise and control up to four in-car functions. The gear lever is now mounted on the steering column, which has freed up more storage space.

Link:

The no-DCC thing is worse, the older models of Kodiaq have DCC. VAG needs to position premium models (Tiguan R-Line, Kodiaq vRS) differently from regular ones (Kodiaq) by sporty features (like alloy size) rather than functional ones like DCC.

It reminds me of how Audi Q3 Premium Plus trims used to miss out features like Start/Stop button/automatic tailgate, to get folks to shell out more for Technology trim. This will only turn off buyers rather than get them to upgrade to a more expensive vehicle. Discerning buyers used to choose previous-gen Kodiaq over Tiguan partly because of Adaptive suspension.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 5953275)

Looks great but why no DCC? Is it to soothe VW when they bring in the Tayron?

Quoting myself here, a cursory Google search throws up issues in the UK with the new Kodiaq's DCC:

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topi...iaq-dcc-issue/
https://www.reddit.com/r/skoda/comme...t=share_button

Could be purely coincidental / usual with a new launch, OR could be a driver behind the decision to avoid DCC for the India-spec models. Could also be that Skoda feels the 2025 passive suspension is now well tuned, and hence an expensive DCC setup is not warranted any more.

A couple of UK reviews:
https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kodiaq...62#on-the-road
There’s also an optional adaptive suspension system, which Skoda calls Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). That allows you to stiffen or soften the ride at the touch of a button. We don't think it's worth the extra cost, bearing in mind the standard suspension’s inherent quality.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/skoda/kodiaq
The DCC adaptive dampers do improve things, but it’s not night-and-day, and they come packaged with the variable-ratio steering, which feels more numb than the standard rack.
In all other respects, you wouldn't feel short-changed in terms of respectable dynamics or rolling refinement by picking the entry-level SE car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIN No (Post 5953673)

The alloys on the L&K variant look awful, the previous generation definitely had a better set of alloys and cleaner more timeless look to it

The alloys are just regular ones covered by a plastic plate insert, which is removable, to make it more aerodynamic, resulting in a FE increase of around 1-2kmpl (claimed). If you want the regular alloy look, just remove those plastic inserts.

And yes, the DCC works marginally in our existing in-family Kodiaq, as rightly quoted in many reviews. Not a night and day difference.

Cheers...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkaile (Post 5953706)

And yes, the DCC works marginally in our existing in-family Kodiaq, as rightly quoted in many reviews. Not a night and day difference.

I beg to differ, the dcc in my Kodiaq in Mumbai is a boon. the difference between comfort and normal is also noticeable. DCC should have been there in the new Kodiaq as otherwise it feels a downgrade from the existing one.

Why do so many car makers still add fake chrome design exhausts to their cars, this just kills the look of the Kodiak sportline, the same grudge I have with my Superb sportline as well.

Wish they could have just added the rear bumper from the vRS with the real dual exhaust tips to give it more character, I don't believe this will reduce the desirability of the vRS version either way.

At the end of the day, have to apprecaite Skoda for the efforts they put for our market. And they are learning quickly too.

After seeing the CBU Superb flop, they redid the initial strategy of CBU route for the Kodiaq and took the CKD one. Hopefully this will keep the prices sane.
And they are also bringing in the better tuned 201 variant engine, which was not in the cards initially.

Even smaller things like the advertisement as shared above. They did it in Indian roads, whereas the German counterparts even have Left Hand interior pictures in their ad campaigns.

Looks and items like DCC are subjective, especially in the Kodiaq as both the outgoing version and the incoming ones hold their forte respectively.

Overall, this looks much promising than how it started. And at the same time, not leaving the older gen owners high and dry like many others are doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 5953674)

Tiguan R-line getting launched on 14-Apr is having DCC Pro, which the previous gen Tiguan didn't have. So, I am honestly confused if DCC really helps or not. Keeping everything apart, if they aren't offering DCC on 2025 Kodiaq, one might even consider XUV700 petrol automatic from cost, mileage perspective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme (Post 5953674)

DCC is nice when it works and there is noticeable difference between modes. However, it is quite erratic on my car, suspension feels super hard most times. It has a mind of its own and goes mad often. However, overtime I found that there is a proven method to trigger this madness. I have escalated the issue to Skoda and planning to get it checked during my upcoming 3rd service.