The Skoda Kodiaq for 2022 is something of a humbled award winner which sounds almost counter-intuitive. How does a next generation vehicle win an award when it has had some of what made the original so impressive, honed back?

Good question. The answer is somewhat Darwinian inasmuch as it is a question of evolution and evolution can go one of two ways – Skoda chose the right path when it came to the Kodiaq.

Given the nature of the first generation, Skoda could have gone down the ‘aggressor’ path, especially since it was the RS model which sealed the deal as a Car of the Year award winner the first time around.

Instead, Skoda has taken the path well-travelled, retaining much of what made the previous RS so brilliant but smoothing out some of the less refined areas to present an extremely capable, elegantly crafted seven-seater with an appreciable amount of spice.

This simply clever approach to vehicle design evolution paid off handsomely.

It has broadened the Kodiaq’s appeal in general and contributed to Skoda’s presence in the corporate and fleet world, where aggressive performers – while aspirational – seldom make it as volume sellers.

Kodiaq has seen a revamp of its exterior design which doesn’t give away anything in its robust appearance and at the same time displaying a comfortably contemporary look which is carried throughout the vehicle.

Inside, the Kodiaq’s improvements are a little more subtle but valid nonetheless in light of the maturing of the model.

The Kodiaq is the crown jewel of the Skoda SUV line so it makes sense that the interior should reflect not only the position the Kodiaq holds in Skoda’s line-up but also where other Skoda models take their cues from. 

Skoda has also upgraded the Kodiaq’s already extensive safety features, incorporating Travel Assist. This is Skoda-speak for an umbrella of integrated safety features which include – but are not limited to – lane keeping assist and traffic sensing follow control for low-speed situations.

Kodiaq’s four-model range is 75 percent 4x4 with petrol and diesel engines available, though the diesel is available in one model only, which is in keeping with the European trend of exploring new motive options.

While an iV PHEV alternative is not available for the Kodiaq – as yet – the turbo petrol engines have seen significant upgrades with lowered emissions and greater fuel efficiency. 

The Skoda Kodiaq for 2022 takes the Company Vehicle Large SUV award then, not only for its excellence, but the fact that Skoda made its one-time rebel powerhouse into a sensible SUV with more than just a hint of “ohhhh yeah…”