Hi all!

Can you please help. 

I have a question about the Skoda Kodiaq 2025 off road system. I owned one of the first kodiaqs to come to Northern Ireland and loved it from launch in 2017 and LOVED IT! 

BEST CAR EVER! 

Unfortunately after covid -19 I lost my job I was unable to afford to keep the car but recently we have been able to afford to acquire another one again! And DREAM came true just yesterday! 

I took delivery of a 2025 2l Diesel SEL 4x4 

But today I'm VERY sad as we live in a very rural area and we NEED the OFF ROAD and the SNOW Ability!

(as we live VERY high and on a hill and regular can't get out when it snows! 🌨️

We have TWO disabled children (a boy with Downs Syndrome and a girl with a brain injury) we need these functions to have confidence we can get them to hospital if needs.

We bought this car as its IDENTICAL to our old one (2018 2L Diesel SEL 4x4 except my old had as STANDARD ability to CLICK a button OFF ROAD or SNOW or HILL DESCENT!

But they forgot to install it on my car at the factory it seems? 🤔 and I'm SO disappointed. 

Really gutted and sad. 

BUT perhaps I'm wrong and it's all changed now and maybe has these abilities deployed in a differnt way? 🤔 Maybe AI or something and just knows it's OFF ROAD or that it's SNOWING so the need to SELECT is obsolete?

Then Woohoo! I'm delighted!! 

But surely it needs a human to tell it still that we're OFF ROAD or it's SNOW!?

Surely on a 2l diesel SEL 4x4 shouldn't need you to REQUEST that as an EXTRA the ability to use as its the WHOLE POINT of SEL 4x4!! NO? Like can my 4x4 do anything useful? Is it not as good OFF ROAD or IN SNOW because I didn't ask for what was ALWAYS STANDARD!?!? 🤔

Can anyone shed light?

Edited 11 January11 Jan by Martin2026

If it's and AWD model it will be as capable with or without the selector switch, the selector only does a bit of fine tuning, it does not turn the system on and off, the system is active at all times to step in if required.

So you think the ability to SELECT OFF ROAD or SNOW MODE these are NOT essential but are on the more expensive better variants?

Or this technology is obsolete as it sorts all by ITSELF so my car is NOT "poor man's/a lessor version??"

I suppose I mean are the previous versions BETTER as they have this level of sophistication? 🤔

In new model, off road mode and snow mode, are 2 of the 7 modes, that are available as driving profiles, ONLY, if you have DCC. As SuperbTWM said above, since your car is AWD, it will work as an AWD....these profiles, just help, the whole car to work a bit better...fine tuning, is a very precise phrase to describe, exactly what they do....so, if you don't have DCC, don't look for specific buttons, because there aren't....

Again, thanks for this.

Is it a cheap trick by Skoda to get you to buy the DCC option?

Seems to me like a VERY strong move to take these options away? 🤔

"AWD, it will work as an AWD...." and I understand that but SNOW MODE, OFF ROAD and even HILL DESCENT CONTROL (that's on even the more basic 4x4 Skodas and other cheaper brands) these small "Fine tuning" can make ALL the difference when OFF ROAD or in heavy snow.

Anyone know why they took these away?

One answer could be... "they haven't! They just built in now and like ABS are ON all the time. Maybe using Ai or something?" but if this is the case? How does it know it's snowing? 🤔

Another answer could be... £cost reduction move by Skoda 😡 and allowing better models than mine to be better they took these away to make it a more basic, poorer capable OFF ROAD so you have to OPTION the DCC for FULL OFF ROAD capabilities?! 🤔 🙈😭😭

What your all think?

I've had two 4x4 Skoda's, neither of which have had those selectable modes (Octavia 2 4x4 and current Kodiaq 4x4 SE). I live at the top of a hill at the edge of the Peak District where we get a lot of bad weather and also have a disabled child.

I have never worried about not having selectable modes as both cars have performed brilliantly in snow and rough tracks.

If I were you I'd stop worrying. If you're really concerned invest in better tyres rather than sweating over a mode button as they'll give you a far better return on investment.

Edited 12 January12 Jan by skomaz

off road mode locks all 4 wheels and make them turning the same turns. like differential lock, it disables by itself on i think 30 kmh. it is different to drive with off rode, its like driving a tank, i know.

try to get used to it. ask professionals in service.

Interesting! Off to the tyre garage I go! Lol 😂

Just phoned my Skoda dealership.

They hadn't a clue!

Then the head sales guy specialist in Kodiaq said, (honest truth) "mare don't know about those modes. Think they're useless but my sister had a Gen 1 4x4 SEL and now had Gen 2 4x4 SEL and she says their both as capable!" 🙈

FFS! I'm getting technical advice from his sister! Peooke know NOTHING about their trade anymore 😭😭

Lol 🤣

they are just salesmen.

All answers above, are correct...I had previously an Octavia ABT 4x4, with manual transmission, without such switches, that worked brilliantly -actually, it still does. That Octavia is in my hands for 24 years, it was the first model ever, that carried the l&k badge, meaning, that it had everything standard...so, when it came to order the new Kodiaq, I saw that there is no l&k option, so I created one myself, by placing in order, every option except head up display and thied row of seats...at that time, most extras, could not be placed individually, but as part of a package...e.g., DCC was part of the performance package, including, profiles, progressive steering, and something else, that I don't remember, probably hdc...even later I learned that driving modes come only with this package...I think that this is not the right way to put things..for example in India, DCC is not offered, but profiles are...it is possible that it's a marketing trick, but I am not sure to blame...I am sure though, that I don't trust the dealer, or the dealer s mechanic, not because they are bad people, but because, they were honest to me, saying for a number of matters, that they don't have an idea...this includes the use of driving profiles...imagine that they could not give me an answer, wether my seats are genuine leather, so they need some treatment from time to time, or synthetic leather...even more they asked me to inform them, for a few things...to my question, they complained that the main importer, does not train them, and in seminars, they are presented just the basics....to your question now....I repeat, that your car may work brilliantly without concerns, just you maybe need to get accustomed to it....if you had profiles, probably would be a bit easier, and have some fine tuning automatically, but I think, you shouldn't worry that much...if it was a marketing trick to push you buy something more? My short answer, is probably, yes...

As many drivers of these 4x4,s Part Time 4x4,s Softroaders that were going no place fast last week in the North East of Scotland know, get the proper tyres. Plenty were shown up by small light city cars or even bigger ones with FWD or RWD and no Snow Modes or Offroad modes but actual traction.

18 minutes ago, Evolution13 said:

As many drivers of these 4x4,s Part Time 4x4,s Softroaders that were going no place fast last week in the North East of Scotland know, get the proper tyres. Plenty were shown up by small light city cars or even bigger ones with FWD or RWD and no Snow Modes or Offroad modes but actual traction.

This is a big true also....as I mentioned I have an Octavia ABT 4x4, model 2002... winter in Greece is not like Scotland but occasionally you can meet quite harsh conditions...although I have snow socks with me I have never tried them, as I am dealing quite well with my normal summer tires....in northern Greece though, I know many drivers use winter tires...I knew my car's behaviour, but this is not a replacement of a good tire...it is just that for me in Southern Greece, winter tires are useless just for 4-5 times a year...electronic management though is another story, that also cannot be replaced by tires entirely..

As to Electronic Management. Owners Manual getting unstuck. Snow Chains on etc. Turn off TC / ASR with many vehicles. Northern Europe / Scandinavian Drivers often want to know how to disable the ESP / ESC etc etc. As to XDS / XDS+ and hot weather / sporting driving and the brake system disables it as the system / brake fluid over heats

3 hours ago, Martin2026 said:

Again, thanks for this.

Is it a cheap trick by Skoda to get you to buy the DCC option?

Seems to me like a VERY strong move to take these options away? 🤔

"AWD, it will work as an AWD...." and I understand that but SNOW MODE, OFF ROAD and even HILL DESCENT CONTROL (that's on even the more basic 4x4 Skodas and other cheaper brands) these small "Fine tuning" can make ALL the difference when OFF ROAD or in heavy snow.

Anyone know why they took these away?

One answer could be... "they haven't! They just built in now and like ABS are ON all the time. Maybe using Ai or something?" but if this is the case? How does it know it's snowing? 🤔

Another answer could be... £cost reduction move by Skoda 😡 and allowing better models than mine to be better they took these away to make it a more basic, poorer capable OFF ROAD so you have to OPTION the DCC for FULL OFF ROAD capabilities?! 🤔 🙈😭😭

What your all think?

No. It is not a cheap trick by Skoda. The cost of raw materials, electricity, labour wages etc have all risen and Skoda is no more immune from these rising costs than any other manufacturer. Over the past 12 - 18 months Skoda have indeed been increasing retail sales prices but keeping these in line with sales figures and a genuine desire to offer good value. In the Mk2 Skoda Kodiaq DCC was a priced option in all of the base model specs. It wasn't taken away. Only in the Sportline model and above was DCC included and indeed those rising costs probably forced Skoda to drop the L&K version. It would probably have breached £60,000 with full spec choices.

3 minutes ago, Colin1051 said:

No. It is not a cheap trick by Skoda. The cost of raw materials, electricity, labour wages etc have all risen and Skoda is no more immune from these rising costs than any other manufacturer. Over the past 12 - 18 months Skoda have indeed been increasing retail sales prices but keeping these in line with sales figures and a genuine desire to offer good value. In the Mk2 Skoda Kodiaq DCC was a priced option in all of the base model specs. It wasn't taken away. Only in the Sportline model and above was DCC included and indeed those rising costs probably forced Skoda to drop the L&K version. It would probably have breached £60,000 with full spec choices.

4 minutes ago, Colin1051 said:

No. It is not a cheap trick by Skoda. The cost of raw materials, electricity, labour wages etc have all risen and Skoda is no more immune from these rising costs than any other manufacturer. Over the past 12 - 18 months Skoda have indeed been increasing retail sales prices but keeping these in line with sales figures and a genuine desire to offer good value. In the Mk2 Skoda Kodiaq DCC was a priced option in all of the base model specs. It wasn't taken away. Only in the Sportline model and above was DCC included and indeed those rising costs probably forced Skoda to drop the L&K version. It would probably have breached £60,000 with full spec choices.

This can be true as well....my Kodiaq with all extras, except head up display and third row of seats, plus genuine roof box, plus ABT tuning box, cost around 76-77.000 euros, which I think is a bit more than 60.000£ that you mentioned above...under the same specs, brother Tayron, cost roughly 8.000 € more, without a few "simply clever solutions", like tablet holders, umbrella, door protectors, underbody protection etc...

On the other hand though, why extras had to be part of a package, and not offered individually?...like I wrote above, the same car in India is offered without DCC, even as an option, but with drive modes, which means that, technically, it was not impossible to be the case, in Martin 's situation

Another strong example of what I just said....I wanted the extra airbags for rear passengers.....I had to order them through family package, which included tablet holders, and rear curtains...what is the relationship with all of them? None...but I was "forced" to pay 600€ instead of 300€, to get an item that I wanted, and item that was indifferent to me and probably I wouldn't order, and an item that I didn't want...I think in some cases packages' items are relevant, but in most cases, they are not...so customers who want something, have to buy at the same time, something else, that, otherwise wouldn't buy...

And you honestly think that Skoda are alone in this practice? It is now commonplace.

20 minutes ago, Colin1051 said:

And you honestly think that Skoda are alone in this practice? It is now commonplace.

I don't think at all that Skoda has this "privilege"....maybe many or even all the others do the same or even worse....but this is something else...the fact is, that it can happen the other way, but in real, it's not....the fact that, everybody does this, does not mean it is correct..

Read my post again. Did I say it is correct? You clearly have a beef about something you can't change. Even King Canute, in his pretend experiment to his courtiers, couldn't turn the waves back. If banging your head against a brick wall hurts you - just stop. Simples !!

17 minutes ago, Colin1051 said:

Read my post again. Did I say it is correct? You clearly have a beef about something you can't change. Even King Canute, in his pretend experiment to his courtiers, couldn't turn the waves back. If banging your head against a brick wall hurts you - just stop. Simples !!

First of all, you should read my messages again...there is no beef, no head crush, no nothing....just a simple disagreement. Am I allowed to?

'Simply Clever' or Vorsprung Durch Technik might be when Main Dealerships and Skoda say that the Haldex Service is not just an oil change and a clean up or replacing a Screen or Filter is important. & agreeing when Services are due, and this applies also with VAQ diffs.

3 hours ago, aronisk said:

First of all, you should read my messages again...there is no beef, no head crush, no nothing....just a simple disagreement. Am I allowed to?

Opinions are like arseholes. Everybody has one.

On 12/01/2026 at 10:55, Martin2026 said:

Interesting! Off to the tyre garage I go! Lol 😂

Just phoned my Skoda dealership.

They hadn't a clue!

Then the head sales guy specialist in Kodiaq said, (honest truth) "mare don't know about those modes. Think they're useless but my sister had a Gen 1 4x4 SEL and now had Gen 2 4x4 SEL and she says their both as capable!" 🙈

FFS! I'm getting technical advice from his sister! Peooke know NOTHING about their trade anymore 😭😭

Lol 🤣

Winter tyres are the way to go! So much more grip in snow and very good in general with wet weather and heavy rain

Hello,

Replying to the questions in the OP, not to the opinions that seem to take over the post.

As the technology evolved, the option for the user selecting a 4x4 is disappearing, unless a true offroader. This because the traction is controlled by a computer. Before, the user was selecting the 4x4, as the car was running FWD or RWD (I had a Hyundai Tucson 2017, had this option, normally it ran 90% front and 10% rear, while pressing the 4x4 sent 25% of power to each wheel). So, to put is simple, you got a 4x4 and it will act as such, you should not worry at all, and indeed the best thing you can do is invest in good winter tires (class A adherence).

When it comes to profiles, they are presets that you can choose, like pressing a button for different scenarios. Basically, you do miss the suspension setting (not having the DCC), but the traction, thus the ability to move and use the 4x4, is there. I'm not sure, but I believe the hill descent is available, search for it, read the manual (you have it on your infotainment) or simplay ask Laura.

If you have punctual questions, PM me. I do not own the same, but I can at least look on mine to see where the option is.

Hope it helps you have some piece of mind. I know how frustrating it is to discover your car misses something you though it has. I have to live with no massage seats, no direct TPMS and no adjustable armrest.

Cheers!