Shortly after Skoda’s official confirmation that a new generation of the Kodiaq will debut in the second half of 2023, our spy photographers caught the first mule of the SUV testing in Europe. While the largest portion of the bodywork comes from the current Kodiaq, the mule sports a redesigned front end, while hiding its revised underpinnings.
The first-gen Kodiaq was originally introduced in 2016, spearheading Skoda’s new era. Despite the fact that the flagship SUV received a facelift in 2021, the automaker decided to introduce a new, second generation in late 2023. This will most likely take the Kodiaq until the end of combustion engines, or until Skoda naturally becomes an EV-only brand.
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The mule looks like a facelift of the current Kodiaq, since it is sharing the bodywork and features camouflage on the front and rear ends. However, this could change in the near future, when production-bodied prototypes will start roaming the streets. Still, we don’t expect the design to change that much, at least in terms of the overall footprint and the SUV proportions, as the styling cues and the interior tech will be noticeably upgraded.
The front end of the mule is covered but we can see a larger grille, revised headlights, and a new bumper with slimmer side intakes. A similar treatment has been spied on prototypes of the soon-to-be facelifted Scala, Kamiq, and Octavia, as well as on the Superb. This suggests that Skoda’s ICE-powered models will gain an evolved family look that’s not as radical as the automaker’s EVs. The latter will look more like the recently unveiled Skoda Vision 7S concept, which introduced the Czech brand’s future design language.
Skoda hasn’t talked much about the technical aspect of the second-gen Kodiaq, but we suspect it will ride on an upgraded version of the current models’ MQB architecture. After all, the same platform will be used by the new generation of the Superb that will debut next year, alongside the VW Passat.
In terms of powertrains, we expect a renewed focus on electrification for improved efficiency. The range will include the recently updated mild-hybrid 1.5 TSI Evo2 which produces 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS), but will also be available in additional power outputs in the future. VW Group has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid system with the 1.5 TSI Evo2 and electric motors will produce up to a combined 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS). We shouldn’t also rule out the possibility of a mild-hybrid 2.0 TDI diesel, as well as the smaller mild-hybrid 1.0 TSI petrol which will be updated to comply with the stricter emission regulations.
We will learn more about the next-gen Skoda Kodiaq in the next twelve months as we approach its official debut. In the gallery below, you can see the mule testing alongside the facelifted Kamiq and the next-gen Superb.
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