Skoda Kodiaq vs. VW Tayron: The same or different?

The two large SUVS share a platform. What are the differences?

Photo by: Motor1.com

By: Roland Hildebrandt

Dec 2, 2024 at 5:38am ET

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A new addition to the Volkswagen Group: with the VW Tayron, the Tiguan has a big brother. And the Skoda Kodiaq has a new relative. These large mid-size SUVs are not only popular because of their towing capacity and ample space. What do the Kodiaq and Tayron have in common? And where are they different? Time for an initial comparison.

Design and dimensions

Let's first take a look at the appearance of our two candidates. The VW Tayron is very similar to the Tiguan, while the new US Tiguan is the opposite. However, the intention behind this is the same: to make the Tayron recognisable as the successor to the Tiguan Allspace.

Gallery: VW Tayron (2024) vs. Skoda Kodiaq (2024)

Source: Hersteller

The Skoda Kodiaq, on the other hand, does not yet have a direct offshoot in Tiguan format; the Karoq is slightly smaller. The philosophy behind it is similar to that of the Octavia on the Golf platform: more car for the money. Speaking of the platform: the Tayron and Kodiaq both utilise the MQB evo Group platform.

This is also reflected in the dimensions: both have a wheelbase of 2.79 metres. The Skoda is a good three centimetres shorter, but slightly wider than the VW.

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Interior

Both SUVs are also available as seven-seaters, in which case the boot capacity is as follows: 345 to 1,905 litres (Tayron), 340 to 2,035 litres (Kodiaq). The figures with five-seater seating: 885 to 2,090 litres for the VW, 910 to 2,105 litres for the Skoda. Enormous luggage compartments. If that's not enough, you have to drive a Multivan. Don't be fooled by the pictures, the Skoda photographer used a wide-angle lens.

In the cockpit of the Kodiaq, its free-standing infotainment screen measures up to 13 inches. Below it are the new digital rotary controls, which provide quick access to numerous vehicle functions. For the first time, Skoda is offering a head-up display for the large SUV to complement the 10-inch Digital Cockpit. The new centre console has a clear and tidy appearance and the gear selector is now located on the steering column.

On the dashboard of the Tayron, we find a central 12.9-inch display in the base models and a 15-inch display in the higher-value trim levels, while the instrument panel is always 10.25 inches in size. The overall layout is largely the same as that of the Tiguan and Kodiaq, although some details are different (e.g. there is a "flap" on the dashboard that protects the digital panel from reflections). The Tayron only has a digital rotary knob that controls the volume, driving modes and ambient lighting.

Powertrains

Neither the Kodiaq nor the Tayron is purely electric. For the first time, however, the Kodiaq is also available with hybrid technology. The plug-in hybrid powertrain for the Kodiaq iV has a system output of 204 bhp and achieves a purely electric range of more than 62 miles in the WLTP cycle.

Mild hybrid technology is used in the entry-level 1.5 TSI version with 150 bhp. The petrol 2.0 TSI with 204 bhp and two 2.0 TDI diesels with 150 bhp and 193 bhp round off the powertrain range. The top petrol engine and the top diesel have all-wheel drive as standard, and all engines are coupled with a direct-shift gearbox (DSG).

Volkswagen will offer the new Tayron in Europe with two plug-in hybrid powertrains (eHybrid), one mild hybrid drive (eTSI), two turbo petrol engines (TSI), and two turbo diesel engines (TDI). The power spectrum ranges between 150 bhp and 272 bhp. Unlike the Kodiaq, there is also a more powerful plug-in hybrid.

The two purely turbocharged petrol engines and the most powerful turbodiesel are coupled to 4MOTION all-wheel drive; all other versions have front-wheel drive. Shifting is generally handled by automatic dual-clutch gearboxes (DSG).

The Tayron has a towing capacity of up to 2.3 tonnes, as does the Kodiaq. The data for the seven-seater even includes 2.4 to 2.5 tonnes. The drawbar load is specified as 100 kilograms for both models.

Prices

Let's take a look at the price lists for the UK. Keep in mind the 2.0 TSI is currently not available in yet Britain for the Kodiaq. Also, UK prices for the Tayron haven't been released yet. For reference, German prices are listed below.

Prices (as of November 2024)	Skoda Kodiaq	VW Tayron
1.5 eTSI (150 bhp)	£36,645	45,475 euros (£37,618)
2.0 TSI 4x4 (204 bhp)	n/a	n/a
2.0 TDI (150 bhp)	£31,675.00	n/a
2.0 TDI 4x4 (193 bhp)	£37,400.00	53,840 euros (£44,537)
1.5 eHybrid (204 bhp)	£34,391.67	53,425 euros (£44,194)
1.5 eHybrid (272 bhp)	n/a	61,355 euros (£50,754)