Skoda Kodiaq at autoX Awards: Best Cars of 2025 Ranked

Ever since its launch in the Indian market, the Skoda Kodiaq has been the brand’s flagship SUV. Given the market in recent years, it now occupies a unique position in its price range. For instance, if you’re looking for a three-row SUV with a genuinely usable third row in the ₹35 – 50 lakh price bracket, the Kodiaq is the only monocoque option – every other rival in that range is a ladder-frame SUV.

So, what difference does that make? Simply put, all else being equal, a monocoque offers better refinement, handling, and ride comfort than a ladder-frame design. Sure, you lose some off-road capability, but the percentage of buyers in this segment who actually venture off-road is minuscule.

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Coming back to the Kodiaq, the latest generation was launched in India in April this year, and compared to its predecessor, Skoda has done an excellent job of making it more premium, improving quality, and adding features. Thanks to the recent GST cuts, the Kodiaq is now an even more attractive proposition, with prices starting at just under ₹40 lakh (ex-showroom). On the road, it delivers an impressively refined and comfortable ride and is a pleasure to drive, whether it’s for daily commutes or long-distance journeys. Its practicality and overall quality further add to its appeal. Honestly, if I were shopping for a three-row SUV in this segment, the Kodiaq would be my top pick.

On the track, the Kodiaq managed to surprise us. While Skoda Group cars are known for their dynamic ability, the Kodiaq exceeded expectations with its sharp handling and smooth power delivery. The steering feels direct and communicative, and the all-wheel-drive system does an excellent job of putting power down on corner exits. The electronic aids are among the least intrusive in the segment, which really enhances the driving experience.

Also Read: Skoda Kodiaq Off-Road Experience - Not a One-Trick Pony!

The Kodiaq scored highly on quality, refinement, practicality, and ride and handling. With the new pricing, its value-for-money quotient has also improved. It even scored decently on X-Factor. All of this means that, despite being a large SUV, the Kodiaq performed exceptionally well overall, missing out on a Top 5 finish in our ‘Best of 2025’ rankings by just a few points.