Noida, May 11: Following the introduction of the new Kushaq, Škoda Auto India continues its strong product momentum with a series of updates to its second-generation Kodiaq. With these enhancements, the brand comprehensively refreshes its luxury 4×4 flagship while reinforcing its philosophy of “Luxury, As It Should Be.”
Launched in India in April 2025 in Sportline and Selection L&K trims, and later complemented by the Lounge variant, the Kodiaq now enters 2026 with sharper differentiation across three distinct offerings. Each caters to a specific customer aspiration greater accessibility, heightened sportiness and uncompromised premium luxury while preserving the Kodiaq’s signature strengths of refinement, versatility, offroad capability and engaging on-road dynamics.
Speaking on the introduction, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said,
“After our biggest year in 2025 and a record-breaking first quarter in 2026, we are updating our flagship Kodiaq to further elevate its appeal. With the 2026 enhancements, our aim is simple – there is now a Kodiaq for every luxury 4×4 aspiration, whether it is accessibility, sportiness or premium sophistication. These additions strengthen an already compelling nameplate and reflect our focus on meaningful, timely product actions. The Kodiaq has emerged as a key pillar for Škoda in India and globally, and today it truly stands for ‘Luxury, As It Should Be’.”
Kodiaq Lounge
The Lounge variant enhances accessibility to the Kodiaq range with an exceptional blend of value, space and versatility, offering a generous 786-litre boot as standard. Configured as a five-seater, the Kodiaq Lounge is tailored for customers seeking outstanding value while retaining all the core strengths of the Kodiaq, including the 2.0 TSI engine, seven-speed DSG transmission and 4×4 capability.
The cabin features Grey Suedia fabric upholstery and is equipped with signature Kodiaq comforts, including a sliding panoramic sunroof, twospoke leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, additional acoustic insulation, threezone Climatronic climate control, and an ergonomically positioned gear selector on the steering column, among others.
Kodiaq Sportline
Delivering a distinctly dynamic character, the Kodiaq Sportline draws inspiration from Škoda Auto’s motorsport heritage. For 2026, the Sportline is enhanced with a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These include LED Matrix Headlights with Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist with warning and braking reaction, Lane Assist, Side Assist (blind spot detection and lane change assist), Rear Traffic Alert, and Exit Warning System.
Further strengthening its positioning, features previously exclusive to the Selection L&K, such as the 360-degree Area View Camera, Intelligent Park Assist, and the front grille with a horizontal light strip, are now available on the Sportline trim as well.
True to its sporty ethos, the Kodiaq Sportline is distinguished by Glossy Black exterior styling elements, Black Suedia interiors, a sport threespoke leather multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, aluminium pedals, and other performanceinspired details.
Kodiaq Selection L&K
The Selection L&K continues to represent the pinnacle of luxury within the Kodiaq range and across Škoda Auto India’s portfolio. For 2026, it too is enhanced with the ADAS suite, further elevating its safety and technology offering.
The cabin is adorned with Cognac leather upholstery, complemented by front Ergo seats featuring pneumatic massage, ventilation, heating and power adjustment. The steering wheel proudly carries the signature Laurin & Klement insignia, while the cabin seamlessly blends indulgent craftsmanship with the Kodiaq’s formidable 4×4 capability, delivering refined luxury in any terrain.
Proven and unique
The 2026 Kodiaq continues with the proven 2.0 TSI engine, delivering 150kW of power and 320Nm of torque, with power channelled to all four wheels through a sevenspeed DSG automatic transmission. Based on the MQB37 platform, the Kodiaq is assembled at Škoda Auto India’s facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.
The update retains the innovative multifunction Smart Dials, featuring tactile rotary controllers and integrated displays that allow intuitive control of HVAC, seat ventilation, audio settings and drive modes.
The Kodiaq legacy
First introduced in India in 2017 as a luxury sevenseat 4×4, the Kodiaq established a benchmark that continues today. It also marked the beginning of Škoda Auto’s SUV naming convention – starting with ‘K’ and ending with ‘Q’ – a philosophy that has since extended to Indiaspecific models such as the Kushaq and Kylaq.
The Kodiaq derives its name from the Kodiak archipelago in Alaska, USA, and the Kodiak bear that inhabits the region, symbolising ruggedness, strength and the raw beauty of its natural environment.
Škoda’s racing DNA
Motorsport has been integral to Škoda Auto’s DNA for over a century. This heritage is reflected across its Indian portfolio, where turbocharged engines, true automatic transmissions, sharp handling and engaging dynamics define the driving experience.
From the Kylaq sub4m SUV to the Slavia sedan, the Kushaq midsize SUV, the Kodiaq luxury 4×4 and the limitedvolume Octavia RS, Škoda Auto India delivers performancedriven engineering across segments. With trims such as Sportline and Monte Carlo, the brand continues to showcase its motorsport legacy, engineering prowess and unmistakable sporty character, embodied vividly in the Kodiaq Sportline.
