When it comes to buying an SUV, there is a lot that comes into play. The first thing an SUV buyer will probably ask about is the number of seats. Some of the best-selling SUVs in the world have at least a third row of seats, and that includes the likes of the Cadillac Escalade, the new Genesis SUV line-up, and many more. To some buyers, this just isn’t enough, while to other buyers, the number of seats may be the only deciding factor. And by that, we mean seven seats.
With that being said, the downside is that SUVs with more seats tend to consume more cargo space. For instance, the Volkswagen Tiguan offers about 73.5 cu-ft of cargo space, but only when the back row isn’t in use. If you’re going to have an SUV for hauling and family trips, it’s important to find a good middle ground. Other deciding factors are usually technology, design, and off-roading capabilities, just to name a few.
Deciding on what crossover to buy can easily overwhelm you, especially when you consider the plethora of SUVs that are introduced and re-introduced to the market segment every so often.
Can the Skoda Kodiaq stand against the Honda CR-V? Let’s find out.
The Skoda Kodiaq Is An Awesome Crossover
The 2021 Skoda Kodiaq is a unique SUV from Europe and one of the very few crossovers that have managed to blend the worlds of performance, seven seats, and a diesel-powered engine under the hood. The crossover offers an outstanding performance that turns a simple drive to the mall into a fun experience. And hey, it can haul almost everything you’re going to buy. The 2021 Skoda Kodiaq doesn’t fall short on tech features either.
The Honda CR-V Sees Some Exterior Changes For 2021
The Honda CR-V is a very popular SUV that has ruled the SUV segment since its debut and has received a lot of great performance reviews from its owners worldwide. Despite its huge success now, the SUV’s success was once at risk of a dead-end, as at one time, it had very few active safety features.
However, a newer version came along and addressed everything the previous versions didn’t have. The crossover also now has a great design, lots of interior space, and plenty of high-tech features. Ultimately, the Honda CR-V has become the best hybrid SUV in the US, putting it up against the Mazda CX-5, the Subaru Forester, and of course, the Skoda Kodiaq.
Appearance-wise, both vehicles can sweep you off your feet. Glancing at the Honda CR-V’s design, you'd be forgiven for assuming it's unchanged from the previous edition, with its distinct practicality and boldness. However, a closer look will reveal some slight changes. The front bumper has received a new blacked-out grille and the rear bumper has tinted tail-lights. Aside from the new 17-inch to 19-inch alloy wheels, there aren’t any visual changes to the side profile.
If we were to describe the appearance of the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq with one word, it would be immaculate. Compared to the Honda CR-V, the Skoda is much more refined.
The only real downside to the exterior design on the Kodiaq is the bright chrome Laurin & Klement, which somehow breaks the sleekness. On the bright side, the Kodiaq’s exterior build demonstrates robustness and superiority, which puts it ahead of the Honda CR-V.
Both SUVs Have Some Neat Interior Feature
The Honda CR-V doesn’t fall short when it comes to the quality of its interior and additional features. The inside of the Honda CR-V gives you the feeling of being in a high-end SUV, and like the exterior, it's pretty much remained unchanged with the exception of a few tweaks. Notably, its ergonomic seats are padded with high-quality leather.
It also comes with some slick buttons that replace the gear selector lever. The coolest feature of the Honda CR-V is arguably the blind spot camera, which provides solid feed quality on your infotainment screen. However, the Honda CR-V hasn’t been given as much sound dampening as we'd like.
Inside the Skoda Kodiaq, you’ll love the leather and Alcantara-padded front seats, which are very comfortable regardless of how long you’ve been sitting there. The level of comfort only gets better in the top trims. Unlike most front-seat-oriented features on the Honda CR-V, the back seats on the Kodiaq have the same features available on front seats.
The most attractive feature of the Kodiaq is the large infotainment screen, something that buyers will really appreciate.
When compared, the Skoda Kodiaq’s interior has an admirable sense of quality that gives off a more premium feel than the Honda CR-V.
Skoda Kodiaq Vs Honda CR-V: Which SUV Offers More Cabin And Cargo Space?
Nowadays, it’s no question that some of the best-selling SUVs have tons of interior space. An additional row of seats and more cargo space can make a huge difference to the buyer.
That said, you’ll be glad to hear that the Skoda Kodiaq and the Honda CR-V both offer a third row of seats. However, there isn’t much space back there. Since they are specifically designed for kids, the minimal legroom and headroom would make any trip very uncomfortable for an adult. So, we are looking at a tie.
The second row on the Honda CR-V offers a lot more legroom for anyone to stretch. You also have enough headroom to move around without feeling confined. However, there is less legroom in the second row of the Skoda Kodiaq, despite that, it's bigger in dimension than the Honda CR-V.
Both SUVs have enough cargo space for a slight hauling job. However, when the back seat is in use, the Skoda Kodiaq bounces back with more cubic feet of storage than the Honda CR-V.
The Skoda Kodiaq Beats The CR-V For Performance
The Kodiaq runs on a 2.0-liter turbo diesel-powered engine that churns out 240 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This pairs with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission to power all wheels.
On the other hand, the Honda CR-V’s 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine has a peak power of 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, which pairs with the 9-speed automatic transmission to power the front wheels.
Performance-wise, the Kodiaq has better handling than the Honda CR-V. Behind the wheel, you’ll also feel a lower inclination for a roll in the Skoda Kodiaq. It’s also worth noting that the Skoda Kodiaq offers a lot more safety features than the Honda CR-V, even with the Honda Sensing suite of safety tech in the mix.
Final Thoughts On The Kodiaq And CR-V
The Skoda Kodiaq is clearly superior to the Honda CR-V. The Kodiaq is equipped with a stronger engine, a high-quality build, a spacious cabin, and a plethora of safety equipment. Based on these specs, our money is on the Skoda Kodiaq. But at the end of the day, the SUV you will pick really depends on personal preference.