As parents, we all know we are not supposed to have a favourite, but we do.
It’s the same in the world of cars, you know, and with the VW/Audi family I invariably look forward to driving Skodas more than Audi, SEAT and Volkswagen, which is odd as you’d expect them to be very similar.
There’s just something homely, friendly and welcoming about a Skoda. It’s the little design cues which set them apart and make living with them so easy.
So when I find the latest Kodiaq waiting in a car park in Cardiff I’m more than happy to swap the EV which brought us to Wales in the first place.
It’s 256 miles home according to the satnav but that’s okay.
No need to charge this time as the new, second generation, Kodiaq is a diesel and the trip computer reads 630 miles to empty. I like this SUV already and I haven’t even turned a wheel.
The controls and infotainment, my next job, are easy to find and use too so very quickly my phone is plumbed into the Bluetooth and the favoured radio station is chosen.
Kodiaq has knobs for key functions, but they are smart ones which double up for other things.
So, for instance, the chunky heating knob also looks after the heated seats if you press it in, and the centre one operates the fan and the radio volume.
Other functions are on the large touchscreen but they are located on the bottom edge so very easy to spot and access.
See what I mean about Skodas? You feel they are designed by people who actually drive cars, not 12-year-old gamers in a factory in China.
As I get accustomed to the new vehicle suddenly there is a crunch nearby. A Honda CR-V driver has just reversed into a concrete pillar leaving a big dent in the rear valance. It is a bit tight in here so I’d better be careful.
But I needn’t have worried. Kodiaq has beepers all round and a very clear reverse camera. Despite being a large imposing vehicle (it is big enough to accommodate seven seats inside) it doesn’t feel it once under way.
It seems to shrink to a manageable size, the steering is sharp with a decent turning circle and it negotiates the multi-storey with aplomb.
It’s then a case of following the large satnav to leave a strange city behind and head homeward north.
The monotony of the motorway system is boundless but at least the show tunes are blaring pleasantly through the excellent sound system to help while away the hours.
The large tank also precludes any need to stop at any of the hideous service stations, as long as the bladder holds out.
Before we know it we are pulling off at Junction 36 of the M6 with only a dozen miles to home and when we do alight there is little to no stiffness of body parts, nor general fatigue you would generally associate with a long journey. Well done Kodiaq.
There is half a tank of fuel left too as the powerful 2.0 litre diesel has sipped at the diesel at the rate of around 45-plus mile per gallon, which is what you get when you have a low revving oil burner just ticking over for hours.
Old Kodiaq was a fine car and the new one has been completely redesigned to great effect. It looks smart and well-proportioned, has a beautifully designed, comfortable and well-equipped interior and goes like a train to get you home safe and sound.
No wonder it’s a favourite with the family.
Factfile
| Engine: 2.0 TDI |
| Power: 193PS |
| Torque: 400Nm |
| Top speed: 134mph |
| 0-62mph: 8 secs |
| Transmission: seven-speed DSG, 4X4 |
| MPG: 44 |
| CO2: 168g/km |
| Price: from £46,225 |
