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 Changes

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.

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.

The cabin follows the familiar performance-car formula, featuring an all-black theme with red contrast stitching on the leather upholstery. The standard Kodiaq, meanwhile, offers different interior themes depending on the variant, including Cognac leather and Suedia upholstery options. Therefore, the RS interior looks sportier and more premium. 

Engine & Performance

This is where RS comes with the biggest difference. The regular Kodiaq is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 204 PS and 320 Nm. It is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and an AWD system. On the other hand, the Kodiaq RS uses a more powerful version of the same 2.0-litre TSI engine. The RS engine makes 61 PS more power and 80 Nm torque that said the power figures now are 265 PS and 400 Nm stronger than the standard model. Power continues to be sent to all four wheels through a 7-speed DSG transmission. 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: 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 50 lakh-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 the rival, the Skoda Kodiaq RS will compete with premium SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner Legender, Jeep Meridian Overland, MG Gloster and Nissan X-Trail. 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.