2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline launched in Australia

Skoda Australia has launched the latest variant of its Kodiaq SUV range, dubbed the Sportline. Based on the regular Kodiaq and available with both 132TSI petrol and 140TDI diesel powerplants, the 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline is on sale now.

Like the Superb Sportline of which the Kodiaq shares its MQB platform, the Kodiaq Sportline adds a number of sportier touches such as 20-inch alloy wheels, Sportline baking inside and out, Alcantara suede interior trim with sports front seats and paddle shifters on the three-spoke steering wheel. The Kodiaq Sportline is priced from $46,990 plus on-road costs.

Adding $4,000 to the price on top of regular Kodiaq models, the Sportline adds a number of cosmetic sportier touches – though nothing mechanical. The exterior of the Kodiaq Sportline is distinguishable by its huge 20-inch alloy wheels, as well as a sports bodykit with a deep front apron. Black mirrors, the grille surround as well as window surrounds and roof rails are also standard equipment, and the lower side panel is now body colour.

On the inside of the 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline are alcantara sports seats with 10-way electric memory adjustment for the driver, as well as alcantara door panels, a three-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, Sportline logos on the front and rear door sill trims, driving mode selection, auto-dimming/folding mirrors with memory functionality and even a performance monitor inside the infotainment system.

Unlike the Superb Sportline however, there are no mechanical upgrades for the Kodiaq Sportline. Instead, it uses the same 132kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 140kW 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines, both matched to seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive.

Like the standard Kodiaq, two option packages are available on the 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline. The Tech Package ($2,600) adds a Canton sound system, adaptive dampers, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking and a kick-to-open tailgate. The $3,400 Luxury Pack adds an electrically adjustable passenger seat, lane assist, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic alert with automatic reverse braking, heated front and rear seats, tri-zone climate control, emergency assist and a 360-degree parking camera.

2018 Skoda Kodiaq Australian pricing (plus on-road costs):
132TSI – $42,990
132TSI Sportline – $46,990
140TDI – $48,990
140TDI Sportline – $52,990

The 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline is on sale in Australia now. Kodiaq sales have topped 201 so far in 2018, hamstrung by limited Australian stock – though the Sportline variant should bolster Kodiaq sales considering Australia’s taste for sportier looking cars. Future Kodiaq variants could possibly include an RS model, as well as an off-road focused Scout, and possible less expensive five seat variants.

The 2018.5 model year Skoda range was recently detailed, with wireless phone charging now part of the Tech Pack for Octavia, Superb and Kodiaq models, whilst the Superb Sportline now offers two new colours. More Skoda updates will be announced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, with Skoda’s version of Volkswagen’s digital instruments set to be transferred to other models in the range after debuting on the Karoq medium SUV.