It all started with cars like the ML55 AMG, which was followed by the BMW X6 M.
After that, Alfa Romeo launched the Stelvio which came in a Quadrifoglio-version as well.
Lamborghini even launched the Urus, so why should I be surprised that Skoda has presented...
a Kodiaq RS? I'll only raise my eyebrows.
It's only available as a diesel, producing 240 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque,
coming from a 2.0-litre biturbo engine which we already know from the Passat for example.
This is the first time Skoda has used the RS-label on an SUV. Skoda RS's weren't the most extreme cars...
so the question here today is; how does it combine with a very comfortable SUV?
Of course, it's mostly meant for Germans who like putting their foot down in a diesel on the Autobahn,
but there might be some enthusiasts to be found in the Netherlands...
Of course, they've made sure that it's recognizable from the outside, that's why it's fitted with special 20-inch wheels...
in a design that isn't available for other Kodiaq's, and it has some blacked-out details here and there.
But the most important question: because this car basically is very comfortable, has that changed a bit?
Right, what stands out in the drive? Well, there have been some tweaks in the chassis.
The 'regular' Kodiaq is an incredibly comfortable car, something which fits very well in Skoda's strategy,
because all Skoda's are comfortable. However, I do think the Fabia and Octavia are too soft.
They went to far with those, because you can reach that amount of comfort without it heaving...
that much. I didn't get that feeling in the Kodiaq though, because I thought it felt a little more grown up.
In a way Mercedes feels as well. Comfortable without it getting too soft.
Also, it was very serene. The gearbox was very smooth. So yeah, it might not be my type of car because I like dynamics,
but it's a grown up, comfortable SUV. This is noticeably sturdier,
which is nice if you go around a corner in a quick fashion. It doesn't heave as much and that fits the RS-label.
To make sure you can hear the diesel, they've applied sound engineering.
That means you can hear the engine through the speakers.
Must be the modern days, because it's incredibly fake. Anyway, it provides something of a diesel growl.
On the inside, there are some special details as well. Think of the sporty seats with the RS-logo's,
red stitching, flattened steering wheel... My seating position is good as well, I do have to say.
The seat is in its lowest position and it's fine. Digital dials in front of you,
which you're able to alter. It looks pretty familiar if you've driven a Golf or an Audi.
It does have a slightly different design, but you can see it's based on the same system.
240 horsepower for a diesel is enough, you've got enough power. It's not incredibly quick, especially above 100 km/h,
but it always packs enough of a punch when you try to overtake or if you're just cruising at 160 km/h.
You don't have to push the engine to the limit. And those were the bare facts.
Then, let's look at the RS-SUV-picture. Skoda's RS-models aren't the most dynamic cars to begin with.
This is what I said about the Fabia RS a while back...
The letters "RS" are pretty sacred to me, you shouldn't just use them. If you ask me, they don't deserve to be on this Fabia.
And I get the same feeling in this car. I really like the Octavia RS,
it offers you more punch in a station car or a hatchback with steering that's more direct and a chassis that's rather sporty.
That's all good, but in this SUV?
The fact that it's a tad sturdier than the regular Kodiaq doesn't make this sporty.
If you're really forgiving, you could say it's a little dynamic, but it won't get any better than that.
This is an SUV for people who have to do a lot of driving in Germany, cruising down the Autobahn at high speeds and they want a car...
that reacts when you steer it at 150 km/h, and I get that.
Or if you need a car for your winter vacation with a lot of people and luggage, it's incredibly spacious and you can get it as a 7-seater.
It's solid enough, it's not too uncomfortable, it's just alright. But that doesn't make it sporty.
Being sporty is on a very different level. And you might think, "SUV's aren't sporty to begin with",
but I've got a list of them which are sportier than this. BMW X3, BMW X4, the Porsche Macan...
They're quite expensive though, so let's price it down. What about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, just the entry-level diesel.
That's so much more dynamic than this Kodiaq RS. If you want something even cheaper,
think about the Ford Kuga. It has better steering, better balance, and it has that typical nice drive every new Ford has...
In this Kodiaq however, it feels too forced to receive the RS-label.
For daily use, this is a fine car. The combination of the handling, the nice diesel and the big amount of space is great.
However, the letters RS... At Renault, Ford or Porsche, you always get an special car,
but Skoda has just slapped them on a car again, without it being incredibly special...