2025 Škoda Kodiaq special feature: Kesar quest

Summer in Maharashtra has two constants – soaring temperatures and an insatiable craving for mangoes. While the Alphonso, or Hapus as it’s affectionately called, dominates the spotlight every season, our story takes a slightly different route. A route that leads to a lesser-known but equally juicy contender – the Kesar mango. It offers nearly the same luscious flavour, but at a much more attainable price. Fitting, then, that our steed for this journey is a car with a similar story. The Škoda Kodiaq – a luxury 7-seater SUV with all the right touches, yet at a much more affordable price than its flashier rivals. I’ve driven the older Kodiaq for a fair bit, and stepping into the new one for the first time makes one thing very obvious. This is a big step up on the inside. The cabin has had a complete overhaul and now you’re greeted by a new 13-inch infotainment screen that sits on the dash. It controls all essential functions, has off-road displays, and shows important info like oil level, tyre pressure, etc. Thankfully, physical buttons haven’t been completely abandoned. You now get three rotary Smart dials in their place, which control drive modes, climate, and more, without you having to dive endlessly into menus. They’re smart. Very smart. You also get new Ergo seats now with heating, cooling and massage functions. Škoda’s Simply Clever features take the experience up a notch – umbrella in the door pocket, display cleaner for the touchscreen, ticket holder, tablet holder, bag hooks in the boot, and door-edge protectors. It’s details like these that give the Kodiaq an edge in day-to-day usability. The gear shifter has been placed on the steering column now, which frees up a lot of space in the central compartment, to store your knick-knacks. You also get two wireless chargers up front, ambient lighting that can be individually configured, memory seats for both driver and passenger, three-zone climate control, and a big panoramic sunroof.

We rolled out of Pune at 5 in the morning, and we typically do this to cover some ground before the traffic starts to build. The crew was fast asleep in the second row – headphones on and seatbacks reclined. But for me, I was having the time of my life driving the Kodiaq. The sunroof was cracked open, and early morning music was pouring through the 13-speaker 725W Canton audio system. And I have to admit – it didn’t feel like work that day. Our route took us north, past Nashik, and onto the brilliant but bumpy Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway. Known for its straight-line speed and unforgiving expansion joints, it’s a brutal test of any car’s ride quality. And the Kodiaq didn’t just pass – it impressed us, with how planted and settled the car felt even at 120kmph. And while road noise on Indian highways is a given, the Kodiaq’s acoustic soundproof glass kept the cabin serene and quiet.

Under the hood is the familiar 2-litre TSI petrol engine, codenamed EA888, which pushes out 201bhp (+13bhp compared to the previous gen) and 320Nm, and is mated to a slick 7-speed DSG gearbox. On the handling front, the Kodiaq continues to be an enthusiastic car. Built on the versatile MQB platform, it drives with a level of poise and precision that you usually wouldn’t expect from a seven-seater SUV. It feels planted, never wallowy, and the steering offers just enough feedback to keep you engaged.

As we close in on Jalgaon, the six-lane expressway gives way to four-lane highways, rural tarmac, and eventually, mild trails that wind through farms on both sides. This is where the Kodiaq’s versatility came into play. With its intelligent 4x4 system, the SUV handled rough patches and gravel roads without hesitation, and the Haldex AWD system stepped in whenever needed. The 18-inch wheels absorbed hits with ease, and the raised ride height kept us worry-free over potholes and uneven patches. There’s also practicality on offer – enough room for five people (and two more in the third row), five backpacks, camera equipment, and, soon, a crate of freshly-plucked mangoes.

We stopped for a quick tea break at a roadside stall, and that’s where I took a moment to soak in the design of this updated Kodiaq. The front grille now lights up, the wheels are aero-optimised, and the taillamps are sleeker. It's longer than before – by 59mm – but the wheelbase remains the same. That added length contributes to more boot space and marginally better rear seat comfort. The design remains distinctly European, clean and understated, yet premium and elegant.

In a few hours, we finally reached Aaranya Farms – an oasis in the heart of Jalgaon, run by Dr. Prashant Rajput, a nephrologist, who wanted to create a healthier, more sustainable agricultural model. The 36-acre farm is lush, organised, and brimming with organic produce. Mango trees stretch in every direction, with their golden bounty hanging heavy in the summer sun. The managers at the farm passionately explained the regenerative methods with natural fertilisers, and how they have managed to eliminate harmful chemicals that once plagued the land. The Kesar mangoes here are grown without any synthetic inputs – making them not just delicious, but safe too.

I picked up a perfectly ripened mango and couldn’t help but draw a parallel. The Kesar is often overlooked in favour of the Alphonso. But it offers nearly the same flavour, is more widely available, and won’t leave a dent in your wallet. It’s the same story with the Kodiaq. In a world obsessed with expensive German SUVs, this Czech contender offers luxury, tech, and capability without pushing your budget into silly territory. To load up our mango haul, I put the Kodiaq’s new Virtual Pedal to use – the boot swung open handsfree, revealing the boot that’s grown by 21-litres with the third row folded. To make things better for owners, Škoda offers the best-in class warranty – 5 years, with 10 years of complimentary roadside assistance. Every Kodiaq also comes with Škoda Supercare – a complimentary first year standard maintenance package, which means you only start paying for your service at the end of the second year of ownership.

As we roll back towards Pune, I reflect on the day. For us enthusiasts, it’s never just about getting from point A to B. It’s about making the journey count. And the Kodiaq made it count. From the Samruddhi Mahamarg’s relentless pace to the dusty farm trails, it handled everything with grace and grit. The Kodiaq doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. It’s the Kesar of the SUV world – rich, refined, affordable, and confident in its ability to deliver. As for us, we returned with crates of Kesar mangoes, hearts and stomachs full, and a newfound appreciation for the SUV that got us there.