Back in 2017, Skoda launched the Kodiaq in a single trim level known as "Style". The Style variant was fully loaded by itself with kit deserving of it's price tag. There was nothing you could say was missing when it came to features. In 2018, Skoda introduced the L&K variant above the Style variant. It was priced at Rs. 36.78 lakhs, which was 1.5 lakhs above the Style. Over the Style, it added a few cosmetic changes and 2 features which were a hit with the buyers - the 360-degree camera and the virtual cockpit.
Over the last few months, the downturn resulted in dealer discounts for both the Style and the L&K but the L&K being the one with more demand, had a much lesser discount. In September, Skoda repositioned the Style edition by officially dropping the price to Rs. 32.99 lakhs (a whopping 2.4 lakhs) and calling it the Corporate edition. No features were deleted as was the norm with the Corporate moniker. This created a large gap of nearly 4 lakhs between the 2 variants.
Based on customer feedback that buyers were looking for a more rugged looking Kodiaq, Skoda decided to launch the Scout version of the SUV. The Scout is priced Rs. 1 lakh over the Corporate / Style edition and has a few extra additional features. It remains identical mechanically with the same 2.0L TDI motor, 7-speed DSG with AWD. Note that the Kodiaq is still BS4. Skoda is still finalizing the plans for BS6 variants. The diesel may get updated to BS6 but it remains to be seen whether it will be in the same 148 BHP tune or the 188 BHP tune. Skoda may also consider the 2.0L TSI engine with 188 BHP to keep the cost lower as BS6 diesel variants will cost a lot more.
The Scout variants are more rugged with a few off-road bits and loaded with similar kit as the Style. Scout variants have additional cladding, off-road modes and black Alcantara covered interiors. It's based on the Style edition with the Scout bits added on at the factory. The Scout sits below the L&K and it does not get the 360-camera and virtual cockpit. However, it gets 2 additional features over the Style and L&K - a TPMS and a dedicated Off-Road mode button on the centre console which switches the electronic nannies like ESP, ABS, and TCS in off-road mode as well as offers hill-descent control.
Trivia: This is not the first Scout model from Skoda in India. Back in 2012, they launched the Fabia Scout variant (
link).
So, what's new on the outside?
There's actually minimal changes on the outside compared to the Style. The only addition is that of a silver lip spoiler at the front:
The rear three quarters remains the same apart from the different alloys and rear silver diffuser:
From dead-on front, the Scout does look a tad more butch thanks to the lip spoiler:
Apart from the rear silver diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper, the other change you will see at the back is the Skoda logo, which is no longer the arrow head symbol, but 'S K O D A' text spread out. This is being done in all future Skodas and the Kodiaq is the first one in India to get this change. The Superb will be next:
Sharp cuts and creases show up beautifully when the sun strikes the Kodiaq at the right angle:
A close look at the front bumper spoiler:
The spoiler is fitted later on at the plant as a Scout kit but fits perfectly:
Silver ORVM cover on the Scout alone:
Scout badging on both fenders:
By popular demand, the Scout gets dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels. These do look much better than the boring ones on the Style:
Yes, the rear diffuser does have the fake exhaust vent:
The Scout gets the same ground clearance and underbody protection as the Style and L&K for India. Internationally, only the Scout has a raised ride height and rough road underbody protection. However, in India, all 3 variants have the rough road package as standard.
A few beauty shots of the Kodiaq parked by the lake just outside the Pench tiger reserve in Nagpur:
![A close look : The 2019 Skoda Kodiaq Scout-img_20191016_163140.jpg](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachments/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/1931491d1688438512t-close-look-2019-skoda-kodiaq-scout-img_20191016_163140.jpg)