This system also has something called Proactive Care, which sends the car's data to the designated Skoda garage ahead of service time. Skoda will debut its Care Connect service on the Kodiaq too, featuring Emergency Call as standard in the case of an accident. The system is controlled using an enhanced function of the rear parking sensors.Īlso optional is the Skoda Phonebox, which can inductively charge smartphones (only certain models, obviously) and boost their phone signal by connecting them to the car's aerial. Additionally, while reversing, the new Manoeuvre Assist will brake as soon as an obstacle is detected behind the vehicle. New to Skoda is Trailer Assist: when the Kodiaq is towing a trailer, the system can take over steering when reversing slowly. Lots of competition there, but the Skoda appears to be more spacious than them all and will be priced keenly. Less obvious alternatives include the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Honda's CR-V, the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan's X-Trail and perhaps even the Subaru Forester. It's not the only show in town of course, as the Kia Sorento is built on the same mechanicals, is just as spacious and comes with an even longer warranty. There's one key rival for the Skoda Kodiaq and that's the Hyundai Santa Fe, a seven-seat SUV that's loved by Irish buyers. The Kodiaq will be offered in five- and seven-seat forms with boot space varying from 270 litres with all seven seats in use to a ginormous 2,065 litres with all the rear seats folded down. While the name sounds like a play on a certain famous photography supplies firm's name, it's actually named after an Alaskan species of bear. The Kodiaq is Skoda's first ever full-size, seven-seat SUV and it kicks off an onslaught of new crossovers and SUVs from the Czech brand.