For driving enthusiasts in India, the ‘RS’ letters have always carried immense significance. They represent the fastest, sharpest and most engaging machines to wear a Skoda badge, cars that have traditionally blended everyday usability with an unmistakable performance edge. Indian enthusiasts have admired the Octavia RS from afar and celebrated every opportunity to own one, but until now, the RS story in India has been limited to performance sedans. That changes with the arrival of the Kodiaq RS, marking not only the first time the Kodiaq RS has been introduced in India but also the first RS-badged SUV to reach our market officially.
Transforming an SUV into an RS model is a far greater challenge than doing the same with a sedan or hatchback. An SUV has to carry more weight, seat more passengers and remain comfortable enough to tackle everything from office commutes to weekend road trips. The Kodiaq already excels in those areas, earning a reputation as one of the most refined premium seven-seaters in its class. The task for Skoda, therefore, wasn’t to reinvent the Kodiaq but to inject genuine performance into a package that buyers already appreciated. Fortunately, the changes extend well beyond cosmetic tweaks.
At first glance, the Kodiaq RS doesn’t cry out for attention. Instead, it relies on subtle aggression that reveals itself the longer you look. The signature butterfly grille now receives a gloss-black finish, replacing the chrome treatment on the standard SUV. The front bumper features larger air intakes and sharper detailing, while the LED Matrix headlamps wear a smoked finish that gives the face a noticeably more purposeful expression. It’s cleaner, darker and unmistakably sportier without feeling overstyled.
The profile receives an equally effective makeover. Filling the wheel arches are striking 20-inch alloy wheels that immediately distinguish the RS from the regular Kodiaq. Peeking through the spokes are bright red brake callipers; a small detail perhaps, but one that instantly communicates the SUV’s sporting intent. Black roof rails, mirror caps and D-pillars complete the monochromatic theme, visually lowering the SUV and giving it a more athletic stance. Even standing still, the Kodiaq RS carries itself with a confidence that the standard model never quite attempts.
Around the back, the RS treatment continues with black Skoda lettering replacing the usual chrome, a discreet RS badge on the tailgate and a more sculpted rear bumper. Thankfully, Skoda has resisted the temptation to fit fake exhaust outlets. Instead, the Kodiaq RS gets genuine chrome-finished dual exhaust tips that add authenticity to the design. It isn’t loud or dramatic, but that’s precisely the point. The RS has always been about understated performance rather than unnecessary theatrics.
Inside, the differences become even more obvious. Gone is the lighter cabin theme of the regular Kodiaq, replaced by an all-black interior accented with tasteful red contrast stitching across the dashboard, seats and door trims. The darker environment instantly feels more focused, while retaining the premium quality that has become a hallmark of modern Skoda interiors. That said, it does seem to rob some of the sense of space in the cabin. However, material quality remains excellent throughout, with soft-touch surfaces, solid switchgear and the reassuring build quality expected from the brand.
The biggest highlight of the cabin is undoubtedly the pair of front sports seats. They feature deeper side bolsters than the standard Kodiaq and hold you securely when the road starts to twist. The seating position remains commanding, visibility is excellent, and there is enough adjustment to make drivers of different sizes feel at home. To most, though, the seats on the standard Kodiaq will offer better comfort, and there is a lack of lumbar support on the RS’ sportier seats. Over longer journeys, the more performance-oriented seats could be troublesome.
Technology carries over largely unchanged, and that’s no bad thing. The digital instrument cluster remains crisp and configurable, while the 10.1-inch central touchscreen continues to be among the more intuitive systems in the segment.
One of the smartest features remains the trio of rotary dials beneath the screen. Rather than burying essential controls inside menus, these configurable dials allow quick access to drive modes, climate settings and audio functions, making them genuinely useful during everyday driving.
The second row remains every bit as practical as before. Sliding and reclining seats allow passengers to prioritise either legroom or luggage space, while rear air-conditioning vents and the panoramic sunroof ensure occupants travel in comfort. Access to the third row is straightforward enough, although the seats themselves remain best suited to children or occasional use.
Adults will find them restrictive on longer journeys, but folded flat, they create a generously sized luggage compartment that reinforces the Kodiaq’s family-friendly credentials. The biggest transformation, however, lies beneath the bonnet. Power comes from Volkswagen Group’s latest EA888 Evo4 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 265bhp and 400Nm of torque. Those numbers comfortably surpass the standard Kodiaq, but figures alone don’t tell the whole story. The engine feels noticeably keener from the moment you pull away. Throttle response is crisp, turbo lag is minimal, and the power delivery is wonderfully linear, allowing the SUV to gather speed with an effortlessness that belies its size.
Press the accelerator harder, and the Kodiaq RS reveals another layer of its personality. The mid-range is particularly strong, making short work of overtakes. Whether you’re accelerating onto an expressway or squeezing past slower traffic on a two-lane highway, the engine delivers a satisfying surge that never feels abrupt or intimidating. Claimed to sprint from 0-100kmph in just 6.3 seconds, it is comfortably among the quickest seven-seat SUVs available in India today. In fact, it’s 0.1 second faster than the Octavia RS, which is a remarkable feat since this weighs nearly 2 tonnes, while the Octavia is near 1.5-1.6 tonnes.
The seven-speed DSG transmission plays an equally important role in shaping the Kodiaq RS’s character. When you’re driving with intent, it is quick, intuitive and eager to hold onto gears just long enough before delivering crisp upshifts. Flick the gearbox into Sport mode, and it becomes noticeably more alert, responding almost instantly to throttle inputs and making full use of the engine’s healthy torque band. It complements the powertrain beautifully, ensuring the Kodiaq RS always feels eager rather than strained.
Spend enough time in bumper-to-bumper city traffic, however, and the DSG’s familiar quirks begin to surface. At crawling speeds, it can occasionally hesitate before engaging the next gear, sometimes feeling a touch indecisive when repeatedly moving between first and second. It’s a trait we’ve experienced in several dual-clutch gearboxes over the years and isn’t unique to the Kodiaq RS. More importantly, it fades into the background the moment the roads begin to open up, where the transmission feels completely in its element. What truly separates the Kodiaq RS from its standard sibling isn’t simply the additional horsepower. It’s the way the chassis has been reworked to make full use of that extra performance. Adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control transforms the SUV’s personality at the press of a button. In Comfort mode, it behaves exactly as a premium family SUV should, soaking up expansion joints, potholes and uneven surfaces with impressive composure. The ride never feels busy, and occupants remain isolated from the worst of India’s imperfect roads.
Switch into Sport mode, and the transformation is immediately noticeable. The dampers firm up, body movements are significantly reduced, and the steering gains a welcome sense of weight. Despite standing tall and accommodating seven occupants, the Kodiaq RS feels remarkably disciplined through a series of fast corners. There is very little unwanted body roll, direction changes happen with confidence, and the SUV feels considerably smaller than its dimensions suggest. It encourages you to carry more speed into bends than you initially think possible. Grip levels are immense thanks to the intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Even when accelerating hard out of slower corners, the Kodiaq RS simply hooks up and goes without drama. There’s tremendous confidence from the front axle, while the rear feels planted enough to ensure the SUV never becomes unsettled. It doesn’t pretend to be a sports car, nor should it, but for something capable of carrying seven people and all their luggage, the composure on a challenging road is genuinely impressive.
The steering deserves mention, too. It isn’t overflowing with feedback in the way an Octavia RS once was, but it is accurate, direct and predictable. Small inputs produce immediate responses, allowing you to place the SUV exactly where you want it. Combined with the impressive chassis balance, it gives the driver confidence to explore the Kodiaq RS’s capabilities without feeling intimidated. Braking performance inspires similar confidence. The larger brakes, highlighted by those distinctive red callipers, offer strong stopping power and a reassuring pedal feel. Expected to be priced around the Rs 60 lakh mark, the Kodiaq RS will undoubtedly remain a niche proposition. Buyers focused purely on value may find compelling alternatives elsewhere, while those seeking outright luxury may naturally gravitate towards premium German badges. But neither offers quite the same blend of understated performance, family-friendly practicality and everyday usability that the Kodiaq RS manages so convincingly.
Verdict
The Kodiaq RS is far more than a faster version of an already excellent SUV. It retains the comfort, refinement and practicality that made the standard Kodiaq so likeable, while adding meaningful performance upgrades that elevate the driving experience. The stronger engine, adaptive suspension, all-wheel-drive system and sharper dynamics create an SUV that is surprisingly engaging without sacrificing everyday usability. The DSG’s occasional hesitation in slow-moving traffic is one of the few blemishes on an otherwise polished package. If you’re looking for a premium seven-seat SUV that can genuinely put a smile on your face, the Kodiaq RS makes a compelling case.
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