2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline now available to order in the UK with starting price of £32,685

Those in the United Kingdom may now order a new version of Skoda’s sports utility vehicle – the new Skoda Kodiaq Sportline. It will be slotted between SE L and Edition versions of the Kodiaq, and will have a starting price of £32,685 in the UK. It is now available to order, with first deliveries expected in February 2018.

As its name indicates, the Sportline trim just makes the Skoda Kodiaq look sportier. Featuring the same engine lineup as the Kodiaq, the Kodiaq Sportline is as powerful as its regular version. Most of the changes implemented involved sportier tweaks, although in terms of traction and safety performance the new Skoda Kodiaq is better because it comes standard with an all-wheel drive system. This technology allows the Kodiaq Sportline to be suitable even in rough terrain, a capability boosted by the fact that its ground clearance is higher than a regular Kodiaq (194 mm vs. 187 mm).

To differentiate the Kodiaq Sportline from the regular Kodiaq, the new version comes with a number of black design features -- grille, roof rails, wing mirror housings, and side window trims. Its protective side trims are specified in body color while its front and rear bumpers have been tweaked. Furthermore, the Kodiaq Sportline features a tinted rear window and rear side windows. Its profile is also marked by short overhangs and specially designed 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch wheels are available).

The interior of the Kodiaq Sportline could accommodate seven occupants. It comes standard with sports seats that have Alcantara covers and silver-colored stitching. The Kodiaq Sportline also comes with leather-covered multifunction steering wheel and door panels, as well as aluminum pedals. Specified with dashboard and door inserts with a carbon effect, the Kodiaq Sportline features a black interior trim, LED ambient lighting and a 'Sportline' plaque. Building on the SE L grade, the Kodiaq Sportline is provided with a Columbus infotainment system with a 9.2-inch touchscreen display and integrated Wi-Fi and a color multifunction trip computer.

Customers could choose from two petrol and two diesel engines for their Skoda Kodiaq Sportline. The 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine offers 110 kW (150 PS) of output and a top speed of 197 km/h, as paired to either a manual transmission or an automatic direct shift gearbox (DSG). Starting prices for a Kodiaq Sportline with this engine are set at £32,685 (manual) and £33,985 (DSG). Also available is a 2.0-liter TSI petrol mill that delivers 132 kW (180 PS) of output to all four wheels through a DSG for a top speed of 207 km/h. This version starts at £35,220.

On the other hand, the version powered by 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine -- 110 kW (150 PS) and a top speed 197 km/h – also comes with either a manual transmission (£34,225) or a DSG (£35,525). The most powerful version of the Kodiaq Sportline has a 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine under its hood, providing 140 kW (190 PS) via a DSG for a top speed of 210 km/h. Starting price for this model is set at £36,685.