Performance purists who also happen to have a large family, rejoice. Skoda Auto India has officially opened the order books for its ultimate high-performance flagship—the Skoda Kodiaq RS. Marking a dramatic shift in the Czech manufacturer’s performance strategy for India, this is the very first time an SUV is receiving the iconic ‘Rally Sport’ credentials in the domestic market, a badge previously exclusive to the legendary Octavia sedans. Brought into the country as a premium, fully imported Completely Built-up Unit (CBU), exclusivity is completely guaranteed. Skoda is restricting the initial phase to just 50 highly coveted units for the entire country. Intending buyers can secure their allocations via the brand’s official web portal or authorized dealerships with a token booking amount of ₹3 Lakh, with the commercial launch and official pricing—expected to land around the ₹55 Lakh to ₹60 Lakh (ex-showroom) window—slated for next month.
The motor churns out a massive 265 hp of peak power and 400 Nm of torque, marking a significant increase of 64 hp and 80 Nm over the standard Kodiaq line-up. Power is channelled to the ground via a lightning-quick 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG). Crucially, unlike its lower, lighter Octavia RS sibling which drives only the front wheels, the Kodiaq RS deploys a sophisticated intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system as standard structural equipment. The mechanical hardware rockets the heavy seven-seater from 0 to 100 km/h in a sports-car-rivaling 6.3 seconds, before hitting an electronically governed top speed of 231 km/h.
The mechanical highlight, however, is the debut of Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) Plus. This highly advanced adaptive suspension system features dual-valve dampers offering 15 independent levels of stiffness adjustment. Seamlessly tied into the vehicle’s drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual, Snow, and Off-Road), DCC Plus can instantly transform the Kodiaq from a plush, floaty highway cruiser to a flat, stiff corner-carving machine at the simple touch of a digital toggle. The performance is further backed by upgraded mechanicals, including larger slotted brake discs grabbed by twin-piston front calipers.
Exterior (Kodiaq RS)
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The design studio has executed a complete chrome deletion across the bodywork. The prominent signature butterfly grille, outside rearview mirror (ORVM) housings, window line surrounds, roof rails, and the entire lower bumper apron are finished in high-gloss black. While it shares the slim, split Matrix LED headlights and sculpted hood lines with the standard car, the RS steps up its profile with massive 20-inch 5-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile performance rubber, highlighted by high-visibility red brake calipers peeking through. The rear profile is defined by a significantly larger, aerodynamically optimized roof spoiler, smoked connected LED tail lamps, blacked-out badging, and a striking pair of functional dual exhaust outlets that produce a crisp, deeper acoustic note. Indian buyers can pick between four exclusive paint options: Velvet Red, Steel Grey, Moon White, and Magic Black.
Cabin (Kodiaq RS)
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The dashboard layout is dominated by an premium, floating 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, working alongside a 10.25-inch configurable digital driver’s display. The interior ambiance is entirely blacked out, contrasted beautifully by heavy red stitching across the suede-lined dashboard panels, door cards, and the bespoke, flat-bottom three-spoke RS steering wheel. The front row features body-hugging, leather-clad sports seats with integrated headrests and embroidered RS emblems, packed with electronic adjustments, multi-user memory functions, ventilation, heating, and full massage setups.
The equipment sheet is packed to the absolute brim, featuring:
- A 725-watt, 13-speaker Canton premium sound system with a dedicated subwoofer.
- A grand panoramic sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control, and dual wireless phone chargers.
- A highly comprehensive Level-2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) safety suite paired with a high-definition 360-degree camera workspace.
- A comprehensive safety shield anchoring 9 airbags as standard, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), an Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and Hill-Descent Control.
Motor Mitra Verdict
The incoming Skoda Kodiaq RS is a highly calculated, emotional stroke of brilliance. At an expected price tag bordering the ₹60 Lakh mark, it will sit comfortably above the standard SUV space, offering a unique, premium alternative to luxury-badged entry-level crossovers like the Audi Q3 or BMW X1. Instead of giving up multi-row practicality for raw mechanical speed, Skoda has created a vehicle that handles grocery runs, school drop-offs, and weekend track sessions with equal composure. Given that only 50 lucky garages across India will ever house one, you will need to act incredibly fast if you want to claim the keys to the fastest three-row SUV in its segment.
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