Skoda Kodiaq 2020 review: Sportline

Our schedule today included a morning game of soccer followed by the end-of-season event in the afternoon.   

The Kodiaq in Sportline guise sits on 20-inch Anthracite wheels and includes a black body kit.

The Kodiaq in Sportline guise sits on 20-inch Anthracite wheels and includes a black body kit. The grille up front is a stand out exterior design feature.

The grille up front is a stand out exterior design feature.

Aside from the sharp-looking wheels, a highlight of the side profile is the distinct crease line running front to back that neatly connects the headlights to the tail lights. It's definitely one of the better looking SUVs on the road.   

The seven seats - covered in suede that's patterned with silver stitching, in combination with leather bolsters - look plenty premium. I'm a big fan of the sports seats with integrated headrests up front; they look cool and provide plenty of comfort and support.

The seats - covered in suede that's patterned with silver stitching, in combination with leather bolsters - look premium.

The second- and third-row seats sit higher and I found them a noticeably firmer place to sit. It's worth noting the larger folding section of the second row's 60/40 split is located on the passenger side. 

There is good leg- and head-room in the middle row for adults and kids. To give you some idea, I sat behind my driver's seat (I'm 180cm) and had about 80mm of space between my keens and the seat back.

There is good leg- and head-room in the middle row for adults and kids.

The third-row space was tight for my 10-year-old son, and required moving the second row seats forward to allow him more leg room. I don't recommend trying to fit an adult back there. Entry and exit for the third row is tight, too. 

The third-row space was tight for my 10-year-old son, and required moving the second row seats forward to allow him more leg room.

Boot capacity is a generous 630 litres (VDA) with the third row folded flat, extending to a huge 2005 litres with both rows folded, and it comes with three cargo nets.

Boot capacity is a generous 630 litres (VDA) with the third row folded flat, extending to a huge 2005 litres with both rows folded.

There's a heap of great storage space throughout the cabin with a top- and bottom-opening cooled glove box, a large centre console storage area and another hidey-hole in front of the shifter. There are six cupholders (two in the front, two in the middle and two in the third row) and bottle holders in the doors.

There's a heap of great storage space in the boot and throughout the cabin.

Thoughtful touches abound in this car, starting up front with umbrellas nestled within the front doors, and rubbish bins located in the door pockets. Each door also features a plastic guard that pops out when the door is opened to prevent dings caused by adjacent parked cars or posts.  

Parents with young children can operate the rear-door child locks via two buttons located by the driver window controls - much easier to operate than child locks of old.

There's also a torch which pops out of the wall of the boot, retractable sun blinds for the rear doors and blankets stowed behind the second row headrests to keep kids in the third row cosy.