Skoda Kodiaq RS: For most Skoda enthusiasts here, the RS badge is closely tied to the Octavia RS. An RS-badged SUV had certainly never landed in India. That changes with the Kodiaq RS, which brings the badge to a three-row SUV in India for the first time, and does so at a moment when the brand is also marking over 50 years of RS and 125 years of its motorsport history.
The bigger story, though, might be how it was sold: a limited batch of just 50 units, all snapped up within six minutes of bookings opening.
What Makes It an RS
Underneath the familiar Kodiaq silhouette sits a retuned version of the same 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that powers the standard model, now pushing out 265PS and 400Nm — a jump of 61PS and 80Nm over the regular Kodiaq. Power goes through a 7-speed DSG automatic to all four wheels via Skoda’s AWD system.
Skoda quotes a 0-100kmph time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 231kmph, numbers that put it firmly in performance-SUV territory rather than mere sporty-badge dressing.
Dynamic Chassis Control Plus comes standard and offers 15 levels of damping adjustment, letting the suspension shift between a comfort-oriented setup for daily driving and a firmer one for when the road opens up. Progressive Steering and multiple drive modes give the RS more meaningful hardware changes than a simple engine remap and cosmetic package.
Design, Cabin and Safety
The Kodiaq RS keeps the familiar proportions and seven-seat practicality of the standard model, but the exterior and cabin changes give it a noticeably more focused identity.
- RS Exterior Character: Gloss-black trim around the grille, door mirrors, window surrounds and roof rails works with the more assertive bumpers to give the SUV a darker, more purposeful appearance.
- Wheels, Brakes and Rear Details: The 20-inch black alloy wheels and red brake callipers provide the strongest visual distinction from the regular Kodiaq. A rear spoiler with finlets, RS diffuser and polished stainless-steel exhaust tips complete the performance treatment without making the design look excessive.
- RS Cabin Theme: The all-black interior adds RS badging to the steering wheel and seats, along with aluminium pedals and red detailing that ties the cabin more closely to the performance positioning.
- Front-Seat Comfort: Power adjustment, ventilation, memory and thigh extension make the front seats suitable for long journeys as well as faster driving.
- Displays, Audio and Safety: A 12.9-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 13-speaker Canton sound system give the cabin a suitably premium technology package. Nine airbags, a 360-degree camera and ADAS are also included, all of which feel necessary at this price rather than optional luxuries.
Moon White, Magic Black, Velvet Red and Steel Grey are the four available colours. The darker shades bring out the gloss-black trim most clearly, while Velvet Red gives the RS details a more visible contrast.
The seven-seat layout remains unchanged, which is important because the RS treatment does not reduce the Kodiaq’s family usability. It still works as a spacious three-row SUV, but now carries a stronger visual and dynamic identity than the regular model.
Price, Availability and Rivals
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹66.99 lakh |
| Units in first batch | 50, sold out |
| Import route | CBU, Completely Built-up Unit |
| Engine | 2.0L TSI turbo-petrol, 265PS/400Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed DSG, AWD |
| 0-100kmph | 6.3 seconds, claimed |
| Top speed | 231kmph, claimed |
At ₹66.99 lakh, the Kodiaq RS costs ₹20 lakh more than the top-spec Kodiaq L&K. The premium reflects the stronger engine, more sophisticated chassis hardware and the fact that, unlike the locally assembled regular Kodiaq, the RS arrives as a fully built import.
The 50-unit run sold out in six minutes, a clear sign of strong enthusiast demand. The small allocation naturally created urgency, but buyers still had to accept a considerable premium for a faster and more focused version of an already expensive SUV. That response suggests the RS badge continues to carry real value among buyers looking for something more distinctive than a conventional luxury three-row SUV.
The Kodiaq RS’s closest platform-related alternative is the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line, which occupies a similar space with its turbo-petrol engine, all-wheel drive and three-row layout. The Tayron places greater emphasis on refinement and everyday family use, while the Kodiaq RS makes performance a more central part of the experience.
Verdict
The Kodiaq RS is not a car most buyers will cross-shop against a Creta or even a Hyundai Tucson. It occupies a much narrower space, where performance, seven-seat practicality and exclusivity matter as much as conventional value. The ₹20 lakh premium over the Kodiaq L&K is substantial, especially when the basic cabin layout and family-SUV foundation remain familiar. The difference lies in the car’s character: it feels less like a relaxed premium SUV and more like a performance model that still happens to offer three rows of seats.
The 50-unit, six-minute sellout shows that Skoda has a committed audience for this kind of SUV. The Kodiaq RS is expensive and niche, but it combines genuine RS substance with the space, comfort and everyday usability expected from a family vehicle. For buyers who want some of the excitement associated with an Octavia RS without giving up seven seats, it is Skoda’s most versatile RS offering in India to date.
Read More : MG Majestor First Drive Review: A Massive Challenger to the Fortuner’s Throne?
