Premium 7-Seater SUV for the Price of a Punch! » MotorOctane

The Tata Nexon is the most desirable compact SUV on the market right now. But it still doesn’t give you the proper feel of an actual SUV. What if we told you that you can buy a premium 7-seater SUV for the price of a Punch?
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Premium 7-seater for The Price of a Punch 

The premium 7 seater that we are talking about is none other than the Skoda Kodiaq. The Kodiaq is Skoda’s flagship SUV and is the perfect mixture of sophistication, practicality and road presence. We have found this 2018 Kodiaq on sale for Rs 13.19 lakh. This is a Rs 40 lakh car when new, making this price tag really enticing. Moreover, if you drive a hard bargain, you can get the price within Rs 12-13 lakh. The top-end variant of the Punch costs Rs 12.23 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), and sits in the same price range as this Kodiaq. The deal seems too good to be true. But is it a deal worth considering? Let’s find out.

Also Read: MG Majestor Vs Toyota Fortuner – Which One To Buy?

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Design

The Kodiaq looks as sophisticated as ever. The design has aged well, and it looks pretty even by 2025 standards. The sharp design language is synonymous with Skodas of that era. The razor-sharp cuts and creases across the body give it a striking look. Despite such sharp styling, the Kodiaq looks effortless and elegant, like a premium SUV should. The few niggles with the design are the black alloys and the darkened taillight, which ruin some of its elegant appeal. 

The premium look continues inside the cabin with the beige interiors. The panoramic sunroof, abundance of soft-touch materials and faux-wood across the dashboard only enhance the cabin experience. Moreover, being a 7-seater, it is as practical as it gets and offers a 270-litre boot (with all rows in place). 

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Also Read: 4 Rs 12 Lakh SUVs Compared! 

Features

It may not be the top-of-the-line Laurent & Klemens variant, but it still offers many features. With the Style variant, you get features such as a panoramic sunroof, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch infotainment screen, a powered tailgate, cruise control, 9 airbags, auto-dimming IRVMs and ORVMs, a rear parking camera, etc. Except for an ADAS suite, front ventilated seats, and a fully-digital instrument cluster, it holds its own against cars much newer than it. 

Powertrain

This 2018 Kodiaq is powered by a 2.0-litre TDI engine that produces 148 bhp and 340 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG and an AWD drivetrain. This engine becomes even more desirable when you realise that Skoda (and Volkswagen) no longer sell diesel in India. 

The economy figure for the TDI is 16.25 kmpl. But if you desire good fuel efficiency, look away now, since the real-world mileage would rarely touch double figures. 

Also Read: These Creta Rivals Get Discounts Of Up To Rs 2.5 Lakh

Should You Buy It?

All in all, the Kodiaq seems like a brilliant deal. Despite being a 7-year-old car, it gets many modern amenities and plush interiors, along with a strong powertrain with off-road capabilities. Plus, it’s a Skoda, which means the build quality is supreme. It has everything that a premium SUV should. What more could you want from an Rs 14-lakh SUV?

Unfortunately, the Kodiaq being a Skoda won’t be cheap to maintain. The TDI might be a fairly reliable engine, but the DSG gearbox can cause some issues. Replacing parts and performing scheduled maintenance can be pretty expensive as well. And since the Kodiaq is being offered at such an attractive price, expect a few niggles with the vehicle. It may be a peach, but it could also be a peach of a car. Buying such a premium European SUV is a gamble at the end of the day. And people who like to play it safe and love the smell of a new car will definitely choose the Punch instead. 

If you are interested, have the car checked by a trusted mechanic. Set aside Rs 2 to 3 lakhs, just for initial repairs after purchase. On paper, it is a great deal, but you should only take this risk if you know what you are doing. 

Also Read: These Creta Rivals Get Discounts Of Up To Rs 2.5 Lakh

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