Skoda Kodiaq vRS Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space

There aren’t many high-performance cars as practical as the Skoda Kodiaq vRS out there, which immediately sets it apart. If you want a sporty family holdall, it’s almost certain to be on your list.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS is a natural step up from a Skoda Octavia vRS, too. While the Octavia is also very practical, the Kodiaq is a bigger car and offers the assertive SUV seating position that so many want these days. The boot is even more practical and its seven-seat flexibility is an added bonus.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS doesn’t have any plug-in hybrid functionality, so it can’t offer any electric drive capability. Fuel economy, while pretty good, won’t be as low as a frequently-charged PHEV, and it doesn’t have the ultra-low company car tax rates, either. For this reason, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS is more likely to be bought by people spending their own money, rather than as a company car.

There’s only one Skoda Kodiaq vRS model to choose from. It has the 2.0-litre TSI 265 petrol engine, paired with a DSG automatic gearbox that drives all four wheels. There are a few options to choose from, such as a panoramic roof and interior vRS design pack, but most features come as standard – indeed, this high level of standard equipment is another reason why you might choose a Skoda Kodiaq vRS over a premium model such as the BMW X3.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS is a pretty unique proposition. It has no direct high-performance seven-seat rival. The only similarly-priced seven-seater with a comparable power output is the Volkswagen Tayron 2.0 TSI 265, but the sportiest trim is style-focused R-Line, rather than a full-fat R performance version.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport does have a 270PS plug-in hybrid version, but the emphasis there is even less on a high-performance drive. Meanwhile, the Peugeot 5008 tops out at 195PS in plug-in hybrid guise, while the Nissan X-Trail has a top power output of 213PS. The Mazda CX-80 2.5 PHEV does produce a heady 327PS, but this is again a consequence of the plug-in hybrid drivetrain, rather than the purer performance delivery of the Skoda Kodiaq vRS.

As it is a range-topping sporty car, other rivals include the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, although neither of those offer seven seats.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a well-finished, high-quality feel. It seems a step up from most other Skodas, as if it’s been more heavily influenced by its seven-seat sister car, the Volkswagen Tayron. The materials seem more robust and the finish inside is more upmarket than, say, a Skoda Octavia vRS.

This sense of built-in quality extends to its on-road performance. It feels solid and robust, handling even fast-road motoring with assurance. The well-finished exterior appearance of the Skoda Kodiaq also works well in vRS trim, with the sporty additions making it look even more premium.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS, like all Skoda Kodiaq vRS, combines a 13.0-inch infotainment system with an 11.25-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ instrument display. The infotainment runs the very latest software which is much easier and more logical to use than older Skoda infotainment systems. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – and two (cooled) wireless charging pads to power this.

The menu structure of the new Skoda Kodiaq vRS’ infotainment is straightforward. It’s based around three basic icons – Home, Car and App. This is easy to understand at-a-glance. The screen can also be configured to showcase your favourites. An optional head-up display augments the other two displays with easy-to-follow icons, even including sat nav instructions.

The Skoda Kodiaq also has the clever Skoda smart dials. These really are ‘smart’ – they comprise three round dials where the heater controls normally sit, each with a built-in colour mini-display. The outer two dials control temperature and seats, while the centre dial is customisable. There are six functions available, of which four can be selected. To scroll through the different settings simply swipe the face of the dial. I found them user-friendly and another clever Skoda touch.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has four USB-c ports as standard. They all have a 45W output, with two in the front and two in the rear. This high output is enough to power laptops as well as charge smartphones and tablets. Cleverly, there’s a 15W USB-C port on the back of the interior mirror, to power dashcams.

The new Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a 13-speaker Canton sound system as standard. This comprises eight door panel speakers, a central speaker, two surround speakers and a subwoofer in the space-saver spare wheel. It’s a punchy system, ensuring all seven passengers can hear the stereo clearly.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS feels very commanding in the front seats. As a large car measuring more than 4.7 metres long, and nearly 1.7 metres tall, it’s a machine you step up into, with the driving position feeling as commanding as a luxury SUV. We’ve mentioned the brilliant seats, but the driving position is also spot-on, with a huge range of adjustment.

The rear seats are fantastic too. There’s so much space there, it almost offers Range Rover levels of accommodation. The abundance of legroom, foot room and headroom really does feel a cut above – even if you’re only planning on regularly driving with four or five people onboard, this combination of space and comfort is reason enough to choose a Skoda Kodiaq vRS. The premium level of fit and finish found in the front extends to the rear, too.

Even with all seven seats in use, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a useful 340-litre boot. Fold the third row of seats flat, and it expands to an extremely useful 835 litres, making it one of the biggest boots on the market. Fold the rear seats flat and this dominant space continues – there’s a colossal 2035 litres on offer.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS’ boot is also intelligently designed. The shape is very user-friendly, with no awkward shapes that will snag bulky loads. Almost every last inch is usable space, and Skoda also includes clever stowage solutions and intelligent design. 

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a single engine choice, the petrol-powered 2.0 TSI 265. This 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is the same one that’s fitted to the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI – meaning it’s a genuine hot hatch engine in a family SUV.

The ‘EA888’ engine is admired in performance car circles for its even power delivery, willingness to rev and, should it be relevant, potential to tune even further.

Straight out the box, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS produces 265PS and 400Nm of torque. The latter figure is the highest of any combustion-engined Skoda. This helps deliver 0-62mph in just 6.4 seconds, which is easily served up by the seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4x4 grip. The gearshifter, by the way, is mounted on the steering column, on the right-hand side. The wiper controls are integrated into the indicator stalk on the left-hand side.

The engine has a free-revving feel, although it does get a bit vocal at higher revs. The DSG automatic gearbox also changes up very early in ‘Comfort’ mode. If you want a more responsive setup, you’ll need to select ‘Sport’, which holds onto gears for longer.

At times, we felt the Skoda Kodiaq vRS engine could be a little too over-eager. The accelerator pedal is very responsive when pulling away, which can make it tricky to not surge forward until you’re used to it. This is particularly so if the stop-start system is active. The automatic ‘creep’ model is also a little intense, so you’ll have to feather the brakes in traffic.

The Skoda Kodiaq’s surprisingly rorty sports exhaust is an immediate talking point. It gives this family-friendly SUV a muscle car soundtrack. It’s not over-the-top, but is distinctive and obvious. There’s even a speaker that enhances the noise from the outside. However, those who prefer peace and quiet can disable it by selecting a more easy-going drive mode.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has acoustic laminated side windows at both the front and rear. This enhances sound insulation and keeps wind noise at bay. While the big 20-inch wheels generate a bit of roar at higher speeds, it’s otherwise reasonably refined, with the engine fading into the background.

The latest Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a full five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. This was awarded in 2024. It scored 89% for adult occupant protection, 83% for child protection, 82% for vulnerable road users and 78% for safety assist systems.

Standard safety equipment in the Skoda Kodiaq vRS includes ISOFIX child seat fittings on the outer middle row seats, and the front passenger seat with TopTether. The autonomous emergency braking system includes reactions to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and there’s both front cross traffic assist and rear traffic assist. The blind spot detection includes a clever door exit warning.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS also includes the driver assistance package. This adds adaptative cruise control, while the lane keeping system has semi-automatic vehicle control in an emergency, along with traffic jam assist. The optional driving assistance plus package adds remote park assist, an area-view 360 degree camera, and trained parking that ‘remembers’ the route out of complex spaces.

Skoda is a reliable brand overall, with good feedback from owners. The Skoda Kodiaq vRS features well proven technology, without some of the complicated electric assistance and high-power battery tech seen in plug-in hybrid models. The engine itself also has a track record for dependability, despite its high-performance output.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. Interestingly, the first two years don’t have a mileage cap. This might be of interest for very high-mileage drivers. Optional extended warranties are available for the fourth and fifth years. 

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS has a group 31 insurance rating. This is pretty good for a performance-focused SUV. It’s only four groups higher than the 204PS SportLine version of the Kodiaq, despite its extra pace and more head-turning styling. This should help keep Skoda Kodiaq insurance costs in check.

With CO2 emissions starting from 190g/km, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS commands a steep £2,190 first-year road tax rate. Of course, this is factored into the on-the-road price, but it’s still an illustration of CO2 emissions that, by modern standards, are high.

What’s more, it’s worth noting that if you choose an optional panoramic glass roof or electric tow bar on the Skoda Kodiaq vRS, CO2 emissions go up to 191g/km. This moves road tax into a higher band, meaning the first year road tax rate is an eye-watering £3,300. This means that while the panoramic sunroof itself is £1760, the effective option cost is a whopping £2870 once the additional road tax is factored in.

Because the Skoda Kodiaq vRS costs more than £40,000, it is subject to the £425 additional rate between years two to six, taking the yearly fee up to £620. After year six, it reverts to the standard rate of £195 a year.

There is just one trim level of Skoda Kodiaq vRS available, and it has an all-inclusive list of standard equipment. Impressively, all Skoda Kodiaq models have three-zone climate control – meaning driver, front passenger and rear seat passengers can all set their own temperatures – plus heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, wireless smartphone charging (with cooling) for two smartphones plus Skoda’s clever configurable smart dials. The 13.0-inch touchscreen is complemented by a 10.25-inch virtual cockpit instrument display.

The Skoda Kodiaq vRS adds adaptive cruise control, dynamic chassis control, 20-inch black polished alloy wheels, red brake calipers and a premium Canton sound system. The tailgate is electrically operated, and has a ‘virtual’ pedal so you can open it with a swing of your leg, while those superb front seats are power adjustable. The front seats have electric lumbar support as well.

The vRS Lounge design selection includes black perforated microsuede and artificial leather upholstery, with black microsuede featuring red cross-stitching on the dashboard. The three-spoke steering wheel is a sporty design, and includes both vRS logo and paddles for the DSG automatic gearbox.

Skoda Kodiaq vRS buyers can choose an optional panoramic sunroof and head-up display, and a ‘driving assistance plus package’ that includes a 360 degree camera and remote park assist. There’s also a vRS suite design selection that includes an even more stylish interior design plus comfort features like ventilated front seats.

High-power LED matrix beam headlights help Skoda Kodiaq vRS drivers make the most of its ample performance during nightfall.