Skoda Kodiaq RS Bookings Open In India: What’s Different From The Regular Kodiaq?

Skoda Auto India has officially opened bookings for the all-new Kodiaq RS, marking the arrival of the most powerful and fastest Skoda SUV ever offered in the country. The SUV will be available in a limited run of just 50 units, making it an exclusive offering for enthusiasts. You can book this performance focused SUV by paying a price of Rs 300,000 (ex-showroom) at Skoda official website or visit their authorised dealership. The Skoda Kodiaq RS features sharper styling, chassis upgrades and packs a significantly more powerful engine than the standard Kodiaq with several performance-focused enhancements. 

So, what exactly separates the Kodiaq RS from the regular Kodiaq sold in India? Here's a detailed look.

Design and Interior

At first glance, the Kodiaq RS retains the familiar silhouette of the standard Kodiaq, however there are several visual updates that give it a more aggressive character. Additionally, the RS sits more close to the sportline variant of the Kodiaq.

The all-new RS gets blacked-out exterior elements such as the grille frame, ORVMs, roof rails, window trims, roof rails and D-pillars. These cosmetic accents help it stand out from the regular Kodiaq, which uses chrome and body-coloured detailing depending on the variant. The RS further makes itself more different with exclusive badging and bespoke styling details, giving it a more distinctive visual appearance than the standard Kodiaq. 

From the side, one of the most noticeable differences is the wheel size. While the regular Kodiaq comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, the RS gets larger 20-inch diamond-cut alloys that complement its sportier appearance. Also, the Kodiaq RS is also available in four exterior shades: Velvet Red, Moon White, Magic Black and Steel Grey.

Further the cabin follows a similar layout to the Kodiaq Sportline, with the same seat design carried over. To differentiate itself, the RS gets an all-black interior theme along with red contrast stitching, lending it a sportier appearance.

Engine & Performance

This is where Kodiaq RS comes with the biggest difference. The SUV is powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and an AWD system. However, the engine has been tuned to deliver higher outputs generating 265 PS and 400 Nm of torque it has 61 PS more in power and 80 Nm more torque. Interestingly, the Kodiaq RS delivers higher power and torque figures than the Octavia RS, despite both models sharing the same 2.0-litre TSI engine and RS-oriented tuning. With this increase in power the SUV can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 6.3 seconds, making it the quickest Skoda ever launched in India. 

Skoda Kodiaq RS vs Kodiaq: Engine Comparison

Apart from the stronger engine, the RS also benefits from Progressive Steering, Dynamic Sound Boost and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC Plus) with 15 levels of damping adjustment. These upgrades are not available on the standard Kodiaq.

Skoda Kodiaq RS: Features

The regular Kodiaq is already loaded with a host of features. Depending on the variant, it offers Matrix LED headlamps, panoramic sunroof, Virtual Cockpit, 13-inch infotainment screen, wireless charging, Canton audio system, 360-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS features.

The Kodiaq RS takes things a step further with several performance-focused upgrades.

Exclusive Highlights On The Kodiaq RS

• Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC Plus)
• Progressive Steering
• Dynamic Sound Boost
• RS-specific sports seats
• RS-specific interior trim
• Blacked-out exterior treatment
• Exclusive RS badging
• Sportier driving modes calibration

Pricing & Rivals

While Skoda has opened bookings for the Kodiaq RS with a booking amount of Rs 3 lakh, its final ex-showroom price is yet to be announced. Sources estimates suggest it could be positioned in the Rs 52-55 lakh bracket. Meanwhile, the regular Kodiaq range is priced between Rs 36.99 lakh and Rs 46.99 lakh (ex-showroom).

Price Comparison

As for rivals, the Skoda Kodiaq RS will compete with a range of premium SUVs, including the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line, BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Along with that it will also rival the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line, which targets buyers looking for a more performance-oriented driving experience.

Conclusion

The Kodiaq RS is far more than a cosmetic upgrade over the standard Kodiaq. It brings a substantial increase in performance; sharper handling characteristics and several RS-exclusive enhancements aimed at driving enthusiasts. While the regular Kodiaq remains a premium family SUV focused on comfort and practicality, the RS adds a layer of excitement that has been missing from the segment.

With only 50 units allocated for India, the Kodiaq RS is likely to attract buyers looking for an exclusive performance SUV that combines practicality with genuine driving appeal.

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