Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq
Test Drive

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

How not to get confused in the trim levels, which motor to choose, what to look for when buying and which model is more comfortable

Automakers are striving to give crossovers some tricky name and always with the letter K. You can not even explain anything, as in the case of the Ford Kuga, or take a word from some Eskimo language, as they did with the Skoda Kodiaq. And, most importantly, guess the dimensions. "Ford", surprised by the size of the wheelbase of the very first "Coogie", had to stretch the body in the next generation. Skoda immediately created a car with a margin.

The faceted car bodies have something in common. Interestingly, the Kuga was introduced back in 2012 and its design is still relevant. After a recent restyling, it looks sterner, got a chrome grille with powerful bars. Ford tries to look sporty, as if crouched on the front wheels - this is emphasized by the upturned sill line. Already rather big, it visually expands in all directions.

The most expensive and high-profile Skoda is supposed to be massive. And calm. Designer Josef Kaban could not resist experimenting, but even the two-story optics, which Jeep, Citroen and Nissan like to shock, turned out to be as accurate as possible from Kodiak. The emphasis here is on the large headlamps - they look arrogant and condescending in the reflections of the chrome grille.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

Interior - with a claim to premium. But in the VW group there is a rigid hierarchy in which Skoda is the most affordable brand. Therefore, they saved on finishing materials on trifles: wide inserts in the entire center console cannot be confused with natural wood, virtual tidy, as on the new Tiguan, is not allowed for the crossover, and the rear door sills are made of hard plastic. In any case, German-Czech perfectionism made me do everything efficiently, and such trifles are not at all striking. You move your finger across the bright multimedia screen - as if on an expensive tablet, the sensations are the same.

The complex panel "Kugi" takes up a lot of space and surprises with an unusual look and an abundance of air ducts. The upper is soft, but the upholstery materials and fit are simpler than the Kodiak. Hefty air duct handles look rough. You reach for the touchscreen, and the gear lever in the "parking" overlaps some of the climate control buttons. Both multimedia systems offer traffic jam navigation, voice control and are Android and Apple smartphone friendly.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

Kodiaq is wider on "Kugi" by more than 4 cm, in body length it wins more than 17 cm and 10 cm - in the distance between the axles. And it is inferior only in height, but the headroom above the passengers' heads at the "Kodiak" is still greater, even though the rear sofa cushion is set high. Skoda leads in the second row of stock and offers additional folding seats in the trunk as an option.

Naturally, her trunk is also more voluminous - 623 liters versus 406 liters, and with the rear seats folded down, the Kodiaq goes even further into the lead. Naturally, the third row is cramped. The knees of an adult will fit in there only if you press the middle passengers - their seats can be moved back and forth. And why such an inconvenient landing on the gallery? It turns out that I just folded the back, and in order for the seat to tilt and move forward, you need to press in a different place. Confused - read the instructions.

Trunks of crossovers open with a contactless "kick" under the bumper. At "Kuga" the threshold is lower, the door opening is wider and the distance between the wheel arches is larger, and the floor can be set at different heights. But Skoda still wins in practicality: a removable flashlight, all kinds of fastening nets and Velcro corners. In the most unexpected places, various compartments are found, one, for example, is hidden behind a "wooden" panel on the right.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

Kodiaq is packed to capacity with such useful "little things": a trash can with a changeable bag, umbrellas in the doors, an ice scraper in the fuel filler flap. Sliding plastic strips protect the edges of the doors when opening - this is the pinnacle of the Simply Clever philosophy. But there are also controversial points.

The removable organizer that covers the large compartment in the central tunnel has a bunch of different key holders, a cover for a 12-volt coin outlet and even a card. Cup holders with pimples allow you to open the bottle with one hand, but they are not large. There are niches in the door niches for large bottles, but where to put a thermo mug or a large glass of coffee? This is called "too clever".

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

There is also a 12-volt outlet and you can plug an adapter into it for two more devices, but this is not Simply Clever, but AliExpress. It's like making an umbrella niche in a door and not putting an umbrella in it. Millennials in the back are scolding over a single USB port. By the way, there are two of them in the most accessible Rapid. Although in "Kodiak" there is also an additional household outlet, which saves the day. You will say that I find fault, but Skoda, in fact, is to blame itself - it wanted to be the most "smart".

You don't expect any revelations from the "Kuga", but its cup holders are more convenient, and the rear one has a double bottom: I pulled out a round plug, and you can put deep bottles and glasses. Interestingly, this feature is not advertised in any way. Next to the cup holders there is a recess for a smartphone. The only USB connector is hidden in a box under the center armrest - for a car presented in 2012, this was the norm, but during restyling they decided to leave everything as it is.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

There is only a 12-volt outlet in sight, which works even when the ignition is off, the "Kodiak" has a ten minute battery life so that, God forbid, it is not discharged. Kuga, of course, cannot be compared with Skoda in terms of the number of practical solutions, and the automaker itself does not make any special philosophy out of this. It is unlikely that even the owners of Ford crossovers know everything about it. For example, a removed boot lid is hidden under the rear seat cushions. If you have forgotten where it lies, then you will never find it.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

There are also three compartments for things under the fold-down pillows. Another under the front seat is disguised as an inconspicuous cover - a smuggler's dream. In the second row, the Ford Kuga has everything the Skoda has: bottle pockets, additional air ducts, tables, albeit simpler ones. Plus a household outlet. Only the heated seats and the third climate zone are missing. There is less space, the sofa is shorter, but there is enough space for people of average height. And the central tunnel sticks out less.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

In the dense sports seat "Kuga" you want to sit higher - the front view is hampered by the racks with thick bases. Comfortable chair "Kodiak" is better suited for large and tall people: there is a longer pillow and a greater range of movement. Racks are thinner, side mirrors are better, plus an all-round camera. But the lens at the stern is too convex - as if you were looking through a peephole. The Ford has only one camera, but it's smaller and doesn't need much room to maneuver. In a crowded parking lot, from where the Skoda gets out, food sensors, Kuga flies out easily. And the car parker - both crossovers are equipped with it - often finds a loophole between cars.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

The base engine for Kodiaq with a volume of 1,4 liters, although inferior in power to the "Kuge" (150 versus 182 hp), is approximately similar in torque. This version corresponds to the "Kuge" in terms of weight and dynamics, but the two-liter engine suits the Czech crossover much better - there is both pickup and acceleration to "hundreds" in 8 seconds. In addition, in combination with DSG, it is about a liter and a half more economical than Ford in conjunction with a 6-speed "automatic". It seems that a classic gearbox should have the advantage of smoothness, but the jolts when switching are sometimes more noticeable. However, the character of "Kuga" cannot be called even. The crossover is sensitive to ruts and actively turns the rear axle when cornering. The stabilization is set loosely, and the steering effort is very understandable - it provokes. The suspension gently passes the pits, allows rolls, but at the same time broadcasts various road trifles.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

The Kodiaq is quieter. It allows you to play with the settings, but in any case it will drive exemplary and unambiguous. The suspension is dense, does not react so much to ruts and trifles, the long base adds stability. It seems that the soplatform VW Tiguan will be tougher. The steering wheel of the Skoda rotates easily in the parking lot and becomes heavier with strong deflections. Complete understanding. The electronics are set up as safely as possible and do not allow even a hint of slipping.

Both crossovers are well protected from rocks and dirt. Skoda also has a special off-road mode, but Ford looks preferable off-road due to better entry angles, a shorter wheelbase and greater ground clearance.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

Kodiaq is larger and more expensive - it is still being imported, and it will go to the gas conveyor in April next year. The price tag for it starts where the "Kuga" ends - at around $ 26. But even this Czech crossover comes with a "robot" and four-wheel drive. Plus there is a diesel engine, which, although not common in the mass segment, but its presence in a large car will be appreciated by practical drivers.

Ford is more democratic: it has an aspirated version and front-wheel drive options, but no diesel. On the other hand, the top-end Titanium Plus package cannot be loaded with anything special. The electric drive of the fifth door, heated steering wheel and windshield are no longer something out of the ordinary, not to mention the heated rear seats, which just does not exist.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

Kodiak has another extreme - its configurator resembles a check from IKEA. Seemed to be on business, ditching the expensive $ 685 row of seats and picking up a bunch of little things instead. Headrest with fold-down ears for sleeping in the back seat and comes with a blanket. Sun blinds, a net separating the trunk from the passenger compartment, a clever ski cover. Stop, I don't have skis!

Ford is a brazen David versus a heavily armed Goliath. And he got used to the role so much that he managed to shoot a hefty stone from under the wheel into the Skoda's windshield. It's good that without consequences. But he didn't get the head of "Kodiak" - he was too serious a rival. But the defeat did not work out either - their characters are too different.

Test drive Ford Kuga vs Skoda Kodiaq

Kodiaq strives to meet all the needs at the same time, except that the third row of seats and cup holders can feel cramped. Kuga does not focus on everyday little things - it is not so correct, and therefore more alive. Ford takes first of all with excitement, and not with the presence of tables. It will be preferred by a person less burdened by the number of children and transported things. And he is unlikely to regret the absence of a removable bin.

A typeCrossoverCrossover
Dimensions:

length / width / height, mm
4524/1838/16894697/1882/1655
Wheelbase, mm26902791
Ground clearance, mm200188
Cargo space, l406-1603623-1968
Curb weight, kg16861744 (7-seater)
Gross vehicle weight, kg22002453
engine's typeGasoline 4-cylinderGasoline 4-cylinder
Working volume, cubic meters cm24882488
Max. power, h.p. (at rpm)182/6000180/3900-6000
Max. cool. moment, Nm (at rpm)240/1600-5000320/1400-3940
Drive type, transmissionFull, 6АКПFull, 7RKP
Max. speed km / h212205
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h, s10,18
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km87,4
Price from, $.23 72730 981
 

 

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