Skoda Kodiaq RS cheaper with 180kW petrol

The switch from a muscular twin-turbo diesel to a more powerful turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine in the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq RS will see the high-performance seven-seat large SUV priced $1450 lower at $67,440 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australia early next year.

Whether that’s a bargain or a disappointment will depend on how highly you’ve valued the outgoing 2.0-litre biturbo diesel that produces 176kW/500Nm – it’s a model that we’ve liked a lot here at carsales – and how well the replacement 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit (180kW/370Nm) stacks up.

Time will tell on that score once we’ve had the chance to drive it, with Skoda Australia simply announcing pricing and specs today for the upgraded MY22 Skoda Kodiaq range that continues with a three-variant range topped by the RS.

Below it, the two other model grades – Style and SportLine – that are due to arrive in December 2021 continue to share a 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo paired to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic and all-wheel drive system. This is the same transmission and driveline used in the new RS.

Australians don’t get access to the 140kW 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and 147kW turbo-diesel powertrains offered in Europe.

Pricing for the lower-tiered MY22 Kodiaq 132TSI models starts at $48,540 for the Style – replacing the current entry grade that opens at $46,390 – and $53,340 for the SportLine, which represents a $3050 increase.

All prices exclude on-road costs, although Skoda has also published national drive-away prices that put the Style and SportLine at $51,990 and $56,990 respectively. The RS is set at $73,990 drive-away.

As we’ve previously reported, and which you can see from the lists below, the facelifted MY22 Skoda Kodiaq brings an updated exterior design – including full Matrix LED headlights (with dynamic range control and cornering light) on the SportLine and RS – and various spec improvements.

A Luxury Pack on the Style is available for $6500 and bundles the Matrix LED headlights with leather upholstery (black or ivory), electric front seat adjustment (with position memory), heated and ventilated front seats (and rear seat heating), sports steering wheel (with heating and paddle shifters), auto-dimming/foldable exterior mirrors, tri-zone air-conditioning, blind spot detection, lane assist, traffic jam assist, emergency assist, rear traffic alert and Surround Area View.

This pack is also offered on the SportLine but costs $3700 seeing the model grade already includes some of the items such as the upgraded headlights, high-grade seats and sports steering wheel.

Not stopping there, Skoda has also packaged up a Tech Pack for both the Style ($3000) and SportLine ($2900), which adds adaptive chassis control with drive mode select, a separate off-road driving mode, 12-speaker Canton stereo, automatic parking assist, electric tailgate and a ‘sleep package’ (that is, adjustable head restraints for the rear outboard seating positions).

There’s no specific pack for the RS given it’s fully loaded.

Other listed options include a panoramic sunroof ($1900), side steps ($1400), tow bar with trailer assist ($2200) and Velvet Red exterior paint ($1100, not available on Style). Graphite Grey metallic also attracts a $770 premium, while other metallic and solid colour options are no extra cost.

Discounted capped-price servicing packs (for three or five years) will also be offered for owners who place an order before the end of the year.

MY22 Skoda Kodiaq Style 4x4 new features:
• New exterior design
• Scout elements in lower part of front and rear bumper
• Front grille in chrome look
• Animated indicators in rear
• Luggage nets
• Welcome lights – SKODA logo
• New dashboard decor

MY22 Skoda Kodiaq SportLine 4x4 new features:
• Full Matrix LED headlights with AFS
• Animated indicators in rear
• Luggage Nets
• Welcome lights – SKODA logo

MY22 Skoda Kodiaq RS 4x4 new features:
• New petrol engine: 2.0TSI 180kW
• Full Matrix LED headlights with AFS
• New 20-inch SAGITTARIUS alloy wheels
• Leather seats with ventilation in front
• Space-saving spare wheel
• Animated indicators in rear
• Luggage Nets
• Welcome lights – SKODA logo

How much does the 2022 Skoda Kodiaq cost?
Style – $48,540 (+$2150)
SportLine – $53,340 (+$3050)
RS – $67,440 (-$1450)

*Prices exclude on-road costs