Hi all,

I’ve been a proud owner of the Kodiaq PHEV for a few months now, and I’ll admit—this is my first brand-new car. While my experience has been a bit mixed, overall, I don’t have any “buyer’s remorse.”

The Good:

1. Electric range is fantastic. If you can charge at home, it’s more than enough for daily city driving. I’ve practically forgotten how to refuel with petrol, lol.

2. Matrix headlights are a game-changer. Seriously, life-changing.

3. Physical controls for AC and volume.

4. Overall, it’s a comfortable and stylish car.

The Not-So-Good:
That said, in these few months, I’ve visited the dealership more often than I visit my mom. Though, to be fair, this might just be the “ironing-out period” where you notice small issues that need fixing. Here’s my list:

1. Driver’s door high-pitched rattle – Only some family members could hear it (lucky me). Dealer fixed it…

2. Driver’s door LED strip – Only partially lit. The dealer replaced the entire panel.

3. The rattle returned with the new panel. Fixed again! 😅

4. Heating pipe misalignment – Rubbed against high-voltage cables, causing odd noises on rainy days during acceleration. Fixed.

5. Faulty cruise control button – Replaced under warranty.

6. Mystery rattles – From air vents and HUD area, only on rough roads. Dealer’s verdict: “state of technology limitations” (fancy way of saying “deal with it”?).

7. Infotainment system – Feels like three different systems stitched together. Settings are scattered across multiple menus.

8. Škoda Connect API – Integration with Home Assistant breaks the app due to overly strict limits.

9. App reliability – Random lock/unlock statuses. Currently in a 19+ email thread with support.

Final Thoughts:
Despite the quirks, the Kodiaq PHEV is a great car. Most issues were resolved (or tolerated), and buying a new model always feels like an adventure. Would I recommend it? For now, yes—just brace yourself for a few dealer visits!

On my first Skoda also the Phev (Sportline version) which I got 3 months ago. Have to admit I got it without going to view one before hand *it's a lease car* and pleased with the style, space and comfort.

 

Have to agree on the range figure, it's my 4th Phev and by far the best range and battery usage of the ones I've had so far. Headlights are also very good; the Travel assist ACC mode works well on motorway driving. Really easy way for turning off lane assist and speed warning. Love it still has physical controls for heating etc (the smart dials are a really good idea).

 

Lots of niggles though as you point out.

• Also have the drivers door rattle (going to remove the umbrella in case its that but not tried it yet).
• The car can't handle the power Skoda have given it through the front wheels especially in damp conditions. Probably a combination of tyres and power but very easy to get wheelspin when trying to pull away.
• Seat belt rubs against the door trim and it's right next to my ear (tall driver).
• The rear boot decides its not going to open on the boot button sometimes and have to use the drivers door button to open it.
• The left hand side rear seats won't drop on the internal release in the boot.
• The infotainment system screen has gone blank a couple of times and needed resetting or just the car being turned off and on again
• Forward collision is way too sensitive. Lots of false warnings and twice brakes applied when it picked up a car parked on a right hand bend.
• The internal door handles in the front feel flimsy.
• I've had 2 low oil warnings when the cars been parked on a not particularly steep slope. (false readings as level is fine when parked flat). Again, overly sensitive.
• It has refused to charge once but again turning car on and off again seemed to sort it.
• It had a total meltdown on the Eurotunnel. Parked in train and literally got one error message after another for things not working. Including the handbrake which was making some funny noises. Turned car on again at end of train journey and no issues at all. Was fine on the outward journey just the return. 

Overall, nice looking car, comfortable, tonnes of space, really good electric range, has some good features; but poor software and not the best build quality in places. Have had more minor issues  with it in 3 months than I've had in my last 3 cars over 9 years. Glad it's a lease and will be handed back as warranty expires. Will see how next 2 and a bit yrs of lease goes with it but at the moment probably won't go Skoda again. 

5 minutes ago, D3xt3r said:

Also have the drivers door rattle (going to remove the umbrella in case its that but not tried it yet).

Hi,

From what I understood, dealer did something to the door, that stopped the rattle. It was not the umbrella. The craziest part was that the replacement panel after the led-strip failure had the same issue

For the other issues that you have faced, I have them all but the "eurotunnel meltdown" and oil warnings.

Overall it is a nice car, but it has that "unfinished" feeling to it

hi,

according point 5), what problems did it give you?

 

mine seems to be always pressed and ACC doesn't work

5 hours ago, maskmatt said:

hi,

according point 5), what problems did it give you?

 

mine seems to be always pressed and ACC doesn't work

Hi!

 

Will try to list them,

 

- it would falsely complain about me not paying attention to the road,

- it would randomly turn on the acc,

- adjusting speed was not possible.

- after some 20 minutes of driving, it would completely kill the feature, saying that “acc/travel assist is not available” (do not remember the exact wording anymore).

 
The button itself felt weird (almost like a touch button), but I do not remember how it was from the very beginning. 

 

Exactly the same to me, did they solve the problem?

 

How?

41 minutes ago, maskmatt said:

Exactly the same to me, did they solve the problem?

 

How?

To my knowledge, they swapped the Cruise control stick. At least that is what I was told. Now it is ok.

Edited 25 February, 20251 yr by Ilgmars

On 25/02/2025 at 20:16, Ilgmars said:

To my knowledge, they swapped the Cruise control stick. At least that is what I was told. Now it is ok.

An update to the ACC issue.

The replacement went bad as well. From what I understood, with the same issue.

Fingers crossed that they have redesigned that button, as this is getting a bit silly, disposable ACC levers 😁. Will be on my third one soon.

Edited 18 March, 20251 yr by Ilgmars

I'm still waiting for the spare part

Hello Ilgmars, thanks for this very interesting post. I’m having issues with both front doors panels on Kodiaq Selection 2.0 TDI. They rattle when speeding up or on uneven surface. I had car back to dealership two times but each time they played me around saying that rattle is standard at car or technician “couldn’t hear it”. Do you know how did your dealership fix the issue? Irish market here.

1 hour ago, Bigz93 said:

Hello Ilgmars, thanks for this very interesting post. I’m having issues with both front doors panels on Kodiaq Selection 2.0 TDI. They rattle when speeding up or on uneven surface. I had car back to dealership two times but each time they played me around saying that rattle is standard at car or technician “couldn’t hear it”. Do you know how did your dealership fix the issue? Irish market here.

Hi,

So my door issue came back again. Basically, from what I understood, they actually greased the contact places of plastic with something, which kind of makes it better. Now I hear faint slushy sound instead of rattle.

I know that it is a bit ridiculous, the fix itself and to be on the second panel already which has the same issue while the dealer just dances around it.

I kind of want to get them to fix it, because I like the car overall, just don't know how to approach them with that. I have been visiting dealer with the same issue for at least 8 times and I am slowly approaching the end of the rope.

I am kind of starting to feel like a crazy person who complains about nothing, because it is difficult to replicate on a whim.

Edit: the sound itself is super weird. You probably need “young ears” to hear it. 😁

Edited 4 June, 20251 yr by Ilgmars

Sorry to hear about it, I was thinking replace door panels but was afraid of it if rattle comes back. You are 100% right to go back and have it fixed as you paid for it. I took my dealership to ombudsman so they will make them fix it as they made mistake admitting rattle in the email. I personally think that Skoda made such a dummy door panels on new Kodiaq and they seem as not a good build and easy to rattle. They are squeaky when you touch them. I feel Skoda got a bit ahead of themself and forgot about quality. But overall apart from certain quality issues it is a great car with amazing space. I hope you get it fixed soon 🙏🏼