Honda Accord vs Skoda Kodiaq

What's the difference?

Will the new Honda Accord e:HEV RS topple the SUV throne? Unlikely, but it proves sedans can still haul the family around in relative comfort and style.

The new Accord drives stupidly well and offers great ongoing ownership costs, even if it's price tag is a little steep. It's hybrid powertrain also offers fantastic efficiency and that's a big win.

The new Skoda Kodiaq Select 140TSI is a quiet achiever. It may not be as flashy as some of its rivals, and the engine won’t knock your socks off, but it delivers where it counts. This is a well-rounded seven-seater that’s comfortable, practical and cleverly equipped with more standard features than you’d typically expect from a base grade. If you’re after a family SUV that flies under the radar but ticks all the right boxes, the Kodiaq deserves a close look.

The design for the new Accord is powerful with a sexy silhouette that features a rear spoiler, black accents and sporty 18-inch alloy wheels.

The old chunky grille is long gone and at certain angles you almost get a Nissan 200 SX vibe, which is gorgeously retro and a refreshing take for Honda - which has been playing it safe for the last few years.

The interior is simply styled but looks timeless. The dashboard has clean lines and a featured honeycomb mesh that hides the air-vents. It's a feature which might not land with everyone but it adds personality.

The black upholstery looks plush and there are enough soft-touchpoints to make the cabin feel like it deserves a premium tag.

From the outside, the new Kodiaq looks more athletic than bulky, with a long and low stance that gives it a sleeker profile than many of its taller, boxier rivals.

The new restyled grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and distinctive C-shaped LED tail lights give it an understated but handsome roadside presence. This is an SUV that favours quiet confidence with a European flair.

Step inside, and the cabin continues that design language with a stylish, angular dashboard and a well-considered layout that’s both practical and premium in feel. The black leather upholstery, crisp technology displays are complemented by Skoda’s clever new multi-function rotary dials.

Even in the base Select grade, the interior punches above its price point.

Access to the cabin is great thanks to wide door apertures but the Accord is a low car to get in and out of with its 134mm ground clearance. Expect a couple of grunts when parked on a hill!

Both rows offer ample legroom but the front enjoys the best of the headroom. A 183cm (6.0ft) friend was lumped with the middle seat and spent the trip dreadfully hunched over and uncomfortable. Save the middle seat for kidlets.

The electric front seats offer decent comfort for a longer trip but it's disappointing that only the driver’s side gets lumbar support.  

The rear row enjoys well-padded seats and amenities, like retractable sunblinds, reading lights, two USB-C ports and directional air vents but it took a while for the back to cool down on hot days which my kid made known. Loudly. 

Storage consists of a large glove box and middle console (which can accommodate a small handbag), a sunglasses holder, four cupholders, four drink bottle holders and two map pockets. There is also a dedicated phone tray but a few extra cubbies up front would be welcomed.

The boot offers plenty of space with its 570-litre capacity, which is great for the class, and you can also open up storage options with the ski-port door, if need be. The powered boot release is a handy feature.

The touchscreen multimedia system looks nice but is a pain in the butt to use until you set some time aside to get to know it. It’s just not intuitive but the screen is responsive and it's a bonus that you get the built-in sat nav and Google apps. 

The new Accord gets wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but it took a few beats to get the wireless CarPlay to work.

The charging options are good throughout the car with four USB-C ports, two 12-volt sockets and a wireless charging pad to choose from.

The Kodiaq does a solid job of blending family friendly space with clever design. Up front, there’s plenty of room to stretch out, and the wide door apertures combined with a 187mm ground clearance make getting in and out a breeze.

The front seats are genuinely comfortable, with thick padding, supportive side bolsters, extendable under-thigh supports and heating for both front occupants, which is a nice inclusion at this price point. The driver’s seat is also electrically adjustable with memory, which adds a layer of convenience.

Skoda has a reputation for smart storage and the new Kodiaq continues that trend. There’s a sunglasses holder, an umbrella nook inside the drivers door, removable rubbish bins in each front door pocket and a handy dual glove box set-up. The centre console offers a mix of deep storage, two cupholders and lots of charging options, including two USB-C ports and dual wireless charging pads, plus a third USB-C near the rearview mirror.

That said, the tech experience hasn’t been completely seamless. The 13.0-inch multimedia display looks sharp, but the touchscreen can be laggy at times. The three multi-function dials, while clever in theory, aren’t always intuitive in practice. Changing functions on the go can be fiddly, and I found the climate control system occasionally unresponsive — the ‘sync’ function worked inconsistently and for some reason, we couldn’t always unlock or adjust the rear climate control.

On the plus side, the system includes built-in sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. CarPlay connected easily and stayed stable throughout the week.

In the second row, my eight-year-old had no trouble hopping in and out, and while the seats are on the firmer side, they’re still comfortable enough for long drives. Amenities are strong with two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket, map pockets with device holders, and retractable sunblinds. There’s also a removable centre shelf between the seats that works as a clever storage solution, and the bench is wide enough to take advantage of all three top-tether anchor points.

And I have to call out one of my favourite Skoda features, the pop-out door edge protectors! This is the first time I’ve seen them in action and they’re brilliant. They automatically deploy as you open the door, helping prevent bumps and dings, which is a lifesaver for parents with energetic kids (like mine) who fling doors open with zero hesitation.

As with most three-row SUVs in this segment, the Kodiaq’s third row is best suited to kids. Adults can technically squeeze in but space is limited, with legroom and headroom both tight. It’s worth noting there are no directional air vents, USB charging ports or top-tether anchor points in the third row either, which might be a downside for some families.

Boot space, on the other hand, is a strong point. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s still a very usable 340L of cargo capacity which, is enough for a few school bags or a compact pram. There’s also an underfloor compartment for storing the cargo cover and space-saver spare tyre, which keeps things tidy. Fold the third row down and the capacity jumps to a generous 910L, giving you loads of room for family gear, groceries, or weekend luggage. The powered tailgate is another welcome convenience, especially when your hands are full.

Excluding the limited-edition ‘Launch’ variant, the new Kodiaq range consists of just two core grades and we’ve been family testing the entry-level 140TSI Select.

With a list price of $54,990 before on-road costs, the Select trim undercuts many of its key seven-seat rivals. The Hyundai Santa Fe kicks off at around $56,000, while the Kia Sorento Sport+ starts from $58,430, giving the Kodiaq a slight edge on paper when it comes to affordability.

Of course, it can’t compete with sharply priced Chinese contenders like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, which starts from just $40,990. But where the Skoda claws back ground is in its blend of space, smart storage solutions and the refined European design-flavour that the brand is known for. This makes it an appealing pick for families wanting practicality without compromising on quality.

Despite being the entry point into the Kodiaq range, the 140TSI Select comes impressively well-equipped and it doesn’t feel like a ‘base model’.

There’s black leather upholstery, a leather-accented steering wheel, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionality, and rear privacy glass. Three-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable, and the powered tailgate adds convenience for a busy family life. Skoda even throws in carpet mats as standard, which is a small but appreciated touch.

On the technology front, the Select features a crisp 13.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display and a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Satellite navigation is included, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus multiple device-charging options throughout the cabin. That includes two ventilated wireless charging pads up front, USB-C ports in each row, and a handy extra USB-C port near the rearview mirror, perfect for plugging in a dash cam without messy cables.

The cabin feels thoughtfully laid out, modern, and mostly user-friendly, particularly if you're hopping out of an older SUV. All up, it delivers a lot of bang for your buck, especially when compared with similarly priced, or even more expensive, competitors.

Our test vehicle has an electric continuously variable transmission and features a new self-charging hybrid powertrain that couples two electric motors with a 2.0L, four-cylinder petrol engine that combine to produce 135kW of power and 335Nm of torque.

Only being available in one powertrain may limit its audience but the combo delivers decent performance for a sedan of this size.

The Select is all-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 140kW and 320Nm. On paper, that’s a solid output for a family SUV, but in practice the power delivery can feel a little underwhelming at times.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is quick to shift but isn’t always smooth. It tends to upshift early, especially when you’re accelerating, which can dull performance and make the engine feel less responsive than it should. It's not sluggish, but it doesn’t feel particularly eager either — especially when loaded up with passengers or gear.

The new hybrid powertrain means lower outputs and the official combined fuel cycle figure is just 4.3L/100km! Which is only beaten by the Toyota Camry's 4.0L/100km.

The on-test figure pops out at 5.1L/100km after doing a some urban stuff but mostly open-road driving. Which is where hybrids tend to be the least efficient, so the fuel usage is excellent.

Based on the official combined (urban/extra-urban) fuel cycle and 48L fuel tank, you should see a theoretical driving range of up to 1116km, which is a little less than the Toyota Camry but still an amazing range for a family car.

That range figure drops to around 940km using our real-world average consumption number.

The Kodiaq has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 9.2L/100km, and paired with a 58-litre fuel tank it has a theoretical driving range of about 630km. It's not as long-reaching as some seven-seat SUVs (especially diesel-powered rivals), but it's not terrible.

After my usual mix of urban errands and a couple of longer highway trips, my real-world fuel use averaged 8.7L/100km. Not too shabby.

Power delivery for the new Accord is pretty punchy and, in most scenarios it’s responsiveness is great. But occasionally, when you’re getting up to speed, there can be a small lag before things kick in.

The Accord handles like a dream and feels firmly planted on the road in corners. Even in high winds, the car feels stable and sure of itself. Delightful.

The cabin is quiet and engine noise is at a minimum most of the time. Around town, the Accord sounds and behaves like an EV. Only once you hit the open road do you get some road noise but it never intrudes on chatting.

It might also be one of the easiest sedans to park and it's got a lot to do with the top-notch 360-degree view camera system and direct steering.

As I mentioned earlier, the powertrain is adequate but not impressive. The engine can over-rev at times, and it feels like there’s limited reserve when you really push it, though it’s far from gutless. It’s an odd one as you do have enough grunt to overtake safely on the open road, and it’s generally fine for a vehicle of this size, but it’s not particularly eager or lively.

The suspension strikes a good balance. It’s soft enough to smooth out bigger bumps and rough patches without feeling too floaty. At the same time, you still get decent feedback through the steering, and the Kodiaq corners reasonably well with minimal body roll.

Speaking of steering, it’s on the softer side and not as sharp as I’d prefer, but it’s responsive enough to make city driving and tight car park manoeuvres easy. Visibility is good all-around from the driver’s seat, which is good.

Noise levels are typical for a large SUV. Road and wind noise are noticeable, especially at higher speeds, but the cabin remains quiet enough to have a conversation in the middle row without raising your voice. If you’re sitting in the third row, though, you might have to ask people to repeat themselves from time to time. Still, it’s a comfortable space to spend time in.

The Select grade comes with a reversing camera, but the image quality isn’t great. The camera view seems skewed to the left, which caught me off guard occasionally. I found myself relying more on the mirrors and good old-fashioned looking around when parking.

The Skoda Kodiaq is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2024 and features nine airbags, which includes side chest airbags for the front and middle rows, but the curtain airbags don’t cover the third row, which is disappointing for a family SUV.

The Select grade showcases a healthy safety features list including emergency lane keeping aid, rear cross-traffic alert and side exit assist. Most of the safety items aren’t intrusive for daily driving but the lane-keeping aid can feel sporadic with when it activates and it adjusts the wheel firmly, which takes a bit to get used to.

Other standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, q reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, driver attention warning and alert, intelligent seatbelt reminders, two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three-top tether anchor points.

The Kodiaq is equipped with autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning (pedestrian, backover, cyclist, motorcycle and car) and is operational from 4.0 – 85km/h (up to 250km/h for car detection).

The Accord comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, and an eight-year battery warranty, which are now normal terms for the class.

You get a five-year capped priced servicing program and it costs just $199 per service, which is very competitive.

Servicing intervals could get annoying if you put a lot of kays on your car as they're set at every 12-months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first.

The Kodiaq is backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that is better than the five-year cover you’ll find on some of its rivals.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and Skoda offers pre-paid service packs for up to seven years. These average out to around $393 per service, which is competitive for this segment and helps take the guesswork out of maintenance budgeting.

The Kodiaq runs on 95 RON premium unleaded, which is worth factoring into ongoing costs.