Kiwi-popular SUV with battery-fed ability to drive 100km is ace card of 2024-arriving line-up.

PLUG-in hybrid choice lending the Kiwi-favoured Kodiaq at least 100 kilometres’ electric-pure operability will considerably grow consumer interest in the car.

That’s the view of Skoda NZ boss Rodney Gillard, in reaction to overnight international unveiling of the second-generation model revealing it has at last followed in the tracks of the Octavia and Superb iV wagons, but with a beefier electric involvement.

“At the end of the day, we’re 100 percent wanting that car in (this) market and we’re working with the factory as we speak,” Gillard said in respect to the new variant, in which a 112kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine pairs with an electric motor to produce a combined output of up to 152kW, driving the front wheels via a six-speed DSG automatic transmission.

It uses a 25.7kWh battery suited to 50kW rapid charging and 11kW on AC connections. Skoda says it will achieve at least 100kms’ electric pure driving in ideal conditions. That’s a leap over the Superb and Octavia iV, which marry a 1.4-litre petrol with a 13kWh battery, for 160kW/400Nm output and a maximum 62kms’ electric drive.

The Kodiaq’s hybrid system enables engine-off coasting to reduce emissions and can provide a slight power boost when needed. Active cylinder technology can deactivate two of the engine's four cylinders when under less load to reduce fuel consumption further.

Kodiaq is also continuing with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, also producing up to 152kW, while on the diesel side of things, there are two versions of the 2.0-litre TDI with outputs of 112kW and 144kW. These engines will come with all-wheel drive as standard.

Arrival timing for New Zealand? That has yet to be firmly nailed down, but Gillard says it will definitely be here next year, though most likely in the second half.

A fully petrol Kodiaq makes sense alongside the PHEV, and while his operation has been weaning off diesel in general that doesn’t mean it will be completely ruled out for this model.

“At this stage we are looking at the full portfolio. We have moved away from diesel and that’s as result of research, but it’s really customer-led. We’ll probably revisit that.”

However, it’s the PHEV he sees as being the most promising enhancement for a car that, in respect to private buyer uptake (in other words, excluding the Police contract for Superb, 40-60 units a month), is Skoda’s biggest seller.

Presently, Kodiaq usually accomplishes 65-75 units a month. Gillard believes the PHEV will raise that interest to more than 100 units per month - so, 1200-plus cars a year.

“We’re wanting to grow the business next year. We’re hoping that, with PHEV, Kodiaq will … go over 100 units a month for us.

“It’s absolutely a major part of our strategy. We still have ICE customers out there, but there’s a real movement in the market (toward electric). It gives us another real opportunity to add new customers to the Skoda brand.”

PHEV Octavia and Superb have been quiet achievers, but not due to customer disinterest. A major fire at the factory severely disrupted the cars’ availability. The Octavia is now coming back in strength and is leading its niche, he says.

“We have had a bit of a rough time but we are now able to secure a really good supply again and the sales are showing it.”

Another technical upgrade for Kodiaq is adoption of a new DCC Plus Dynamic Chassis Control option, using two independently controlled valves to separate the rebound and compression stages of the suspension, unlike the previous version, which used a single valve. This updated system provides a broader range of adjustment and is claimed to enhance driving dynamics.

In respect to trim choice, Skoda NZ has tended to favour the highest-trim Sportline fit out (the blue car). Sportline use 19-inch wheels with a polished anthracite finish as standard with the option of a 20-inch wheel featuring aero covers. The door mirrors, window frames, roof rails and rear diffuser are all painted in a gloss black, as are the badges. Inside, it gets sports seats with integrated headrests and black Suedia microfibre.

The new car delivers a new, if generic look, and confirms overall length increasing by six centimetres, mostly due to new front and rear bumper designs, while the wheelbase is only one centimetre longer, and width and height are almost unchanged, at 1864 millimetres and 1659mm respectively. Wheel sizes range from 17- to 20 inches. A new colour option, Bronx Gold, is introducing.

Kodiaq is in five- and seven-seat options depending on specification and drivetrain. The PHEV is a five-seater.

Luggage capacity has been increased, with the five-seat version now accommodating up to 910 litres - an increase of 75 litres - increasing to 2105 litres when the rear seats are folded down. The plug-in hybrid holds a little less. The seven-seat version can hold 340 litres when all seats are in place - a 70-litre increase - and 845 litres when the third row of seats are folded. With all rear seats down, it can hold 2035 litres of volume. Passenger headroom in the third-row seats improves by 15mm over the current car.

Matrix LED headlights arrive and it achieves the option of an illuminated front grille design, as per the Enyaq full electric car. The lower bumper section includes a wide air intake with air curtains that channel airflow to improve efficiency. At the rear, Skoda continues to use its signature C-shaped lighting design with a red bar - which doesn’t illuminate - spanning the full width of the tailgate linking the lower sections of both lights.

The interior lends more space between the front seats than before as the selector for the DSG transmission is relocated to the steering column.

The cabin features plenty of digitalisation yet continues with physical controls for the more commonly used functions. Joining the 10-inch digital instrument display is a central 10-inch touchscreen that uses gesture and voice control. An optional 13-inch freestanding touchscreen display will be available.

Smart Dials feature 32-millimetre colour displays set within rotary controllers. These allow for multiple functions on the same dials. The outer dials control seat heating, seat ventilation and cabin temperature for the driver and passenger, while the central item provides access to different functions.

The car takes four USB-C ports as standard (two in the front and two in the rear), and 45W outputs mean they can charge laptops and tablets. There is also a 15W USB-C port on the back of the interior mirror to power a dashcam. An optional wireless charging pad can accommodate two smartphones simultaneously at a 15W rate.

Chrome is no longer used in the Kodiaq and is replaced by a material called ‘unique dark chrome’. Seat upholstery, carpets and headlining come from recycled polyester; one trim combines with 40 percent natural wool. Leather is dyed using coffee bean processing residues.

Skoda's Head of Design, Oliver Stefani, said: "The all-new Kodiaq is both modern and dynamic, with a strikingly distinctive look. In line with the 'form follows function' principle, we have incorporated the first elements of our future Modern Solid design language.”