Skoda Kodiaq vs. Volkswagen Tiguan: which is better?
Crossover SUVs are some of the most versatile cars in the UK. But which is better between the Skoda Kodiaq and the Volkswagen Tiguan? Find out more
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Struggling to pick between a used VW Tiguan vs. used Skoda Kodiaq? In the world of family SUVs, they’re both incredibly popular, and for good reason.
Quality, style and reliability are all part and package with these models, but while they both belong to the Volkswagen Group (VW owns Skoda), there are some pretty big differences.
Read on to see why the Tiguan or the Kodiaq could be the best pick for you and your family.
Does the Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tiguan offer more style?
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These are some of the biggest cars offered by their respective brands, which means they’re among the first to get new kit and preview new designs. In both cases, it means that the Kodiaq and the Tiguan have plenty of flair, like stand-out LED daytime running lights and plenty of chrome and other high-quality materials.
The Skoda Kodiaq exudes a sort of rugged look thanks to the clever use of plastic off-roady cladding that doesn’t cheapen its looks.
It has a more squared-off look, with strong, angular body lines and chunky proportions.
The front end is dominated by that classic, upright Skoda grille, which gives the car both brand identity and a certain level of presence on the road.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has a sleeker and more modern design that’s slightly less angular. Although it’s an SUV, it looks a little sporty, especially in R-Line trim.
Higher-spec models come with some premium touches like full-length light bars that make the car stand out even at night.
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan or Skoda Kodiaq better to drive?
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Because Skoda belongs to the Volkswagen Group, they both share a lot of mechanical parts, including their engines, which are largely made up of powerful 2.0-litre petrols and diesels.
The 1.5-litre petrol is fine, but if you often have a car full, you’ll want something with more grunt.
The Tiguan is also available with the same plug-in hybrid setup as you’ll find in the Volkswagen Golf, which means around 30 miles or more of zero-emission, cheap driving. The Kodiaq doesn’t get this option.
The Volkswagen offers a reasonably engaging drive for this size car, thanks to a well-tuned and slightly sporty suspension setup.
Skoda’s big SUV has a softer ride that’s designed more for comfort. That’s not to say the Tiguan is uncomfortable, and both are just as happy in and around town as they are doing long trips.
Skoda Kodiaq vs. VW Tiguan: interior
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The Skoda Kodiaq has a slightly larger and more spacious cabin, and is available with up to seven seats.
Volkswagen also sells a seven-seater SUV based on the Tiguan, but it’s marketed as a separate car called the Tiguan Allspace. It’s almost identical to the Tiguan but has two more seats.
The Kodiaq’s slightly boxier design means headroom and legroom should be better for all passengers, including those in the rearmost seats. Both are about as wide as each other and can accommodate three abreast in the second row.
Both come with lots of technology as standard, and newer models get things like a large touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster.
Higher-spec versions come with optional extras like a panoramic sunroof, upgraded speakers and even more car tech.
If you’re looking at more expensive variants, some versions of the Kodiaq feel plusher and have more luxuries than some versions of the Tiguan, but both get more than you’d have in a typical family hatchback.
Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Skoda Kodiaq: which has more space?
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Although they’re based on the same platform, the Skoda Kodiaq is substantially bigger when it comes to carrying capacity.
In five-seat form, it has an 835-litre boot, which is significantly bigger than the Tiguan’s, which measures 615 litres.
The seven-seat Kodiaq has 270 litres of space with all seats in place, which is more than some other similarly-sized seven-seater SUVs. With the rearmost row folded, this extends to a colossal 765 litres.
The seven-seater offers 2,005 litres of space with all rear seats folded, compared with the Tiguan’s 1,655 litres.
In terms of carrying rear-seat passengers, there’s slightly more interior width in the Kodiaq, which means adults can sit side-by-side more comfortably.
Compare VW Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq: which is more reliable?
Volkswagen and Skoda both have reputations for building reliable, dependable and long-lasting cars, and the Tiguan and Kodiaq benefit from that.
The Skoda Kodiaq consistently ranks highly in customer satisfaction reports, sometimes exceeding expectations and outperforming the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Both SUVs come with a three-year warranty, which is industry-standard, but you can explore options to extend this if you value the extra peace of mind.
Moreover, Volkswagen Group parts are used across lots of brands, including SEAT and Audi, so everything from the materials to the mechanical parts are tried and tested.
Skoda Kodiaq vs. Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions
The Skoda Kodiaq is certainly the longest of the two, but at 4,697mm, it’s no longer than a mid-size saloon like the Skoda Superb. The seven-seater version is only 2mm longer, so you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from the outside.
It’s 2,087mm wide (with the mirrors) and 1,681mm tall. Again, cars with seven seats are slightly larger (1,685mm tall), but the difference is minimal.
The Tiguan isn’t far off in terms of width (2,099mm) and height (1,654mm), but it’s a lot shorter. At 4,486mm, it’s more than 21cm shorter than the shortest Kodiaq.
Used VW Tiguan vs. used Skoda Kodiaq: which should you buy?
While both models are mechanically very similar, there’s a lot that separates the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Skoda Kodiaq. Both are built to an exceptionally high quality and are incredibly reliable.
However, if you value space, the Kodiaq outperforms the Tiguan on almost all accounts. If a slightly more premium brand sounds tempting or you fancy something more sporty or stylish, then the Tiguan could just tip the scales for you.