The Gentleman's Highway Cruiser: A Long-Term Tale with My Skoda Kodiaq
Good evening, bhailog. My business is in textiles, which means my driving is a proper mix: negotiating the choked traffic around Lal Darwaja for meetings, smooth cruises on the new Vadodara Expressway, and the occasional family "mission" to Diu or Mount Abu. For the last three years, my partner in all this has been a Skoda Kodiaq Style – the diesel one, in that velvet red. People here buy Fortuners and Innovas. They ask me, "Skoda? Service ka tension nathi?" Let me tell you the real story.
The First Impression: It Doesn't Shout
In a parking lot full of flashy SUVs, the Kodiaq is the quiet, well-dressed guy in the corner. It has presence, but it's dignified. The lines are clean, the LED lights are sharp, but it doesn't scream for attention. For a Gujarat where "badi gaadi" often means loud design, this was my first rebellion. Inside? That's where it punches you. The space, the panoramic sunroof that floods the cabin with light on the way to Kutch, the superb seats – it feels like a proper European lounge. Not a cabin, a lounge.
Living With It: The Good, The Great, and The "Hoy!"
The Highway King (Ahmedabad to Surat):
This is where the car finds its soul. The 2.0L diesel engine is not just powerful; it's effortless. You tap the accelerator at 100 km/h, and it just gathers speed silently, like a train. The ride is magic-carpet smooth. It soaks up bumps on the Dehgam stretch that make other SUVs hop. You arrive feeling fresh, not frazzled. The adaptive cruise control is a lifesaver, and the Canton sound system makes the journey a concert.
The City Slog (CG Road, 5:30 PM):
Here, you feel its size. It's wide. Navigating the tight lanes near Ratanpol or finding parking in a crowded Manek Chowk market can induce sweat. But the 360-degree camera is your guardian angel. The fuel efficiency in pure stop-start traffic? Forget the brochure. It drops to 9-10 km/l, which hurts when diesel is touching ₹100. But the automatic gearbox is smooth, and the cabin remains an oasis of calm.
The Family Verdict (The Haj to Mahabaleshwar):
Seven seats. We actually used them. The third row isn't for adults on a 10-hour drive, but for kids or for short trips to Gandhinagar, it's perfect. The middle-row seats are where my parents plant themselves. They love the individual AC controls, the reclining seats, and the fact that even on bad patches near the ghats, the ride doesn't shake their bones. The boot, even with the third row up, still held a weekend's worth of luggage. Practicality? Top marks.
The Ownership Dossier: Service, Costs & That "Skoda Fear"
Let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, service is more expensive than a Maruti. A regular service at the dealer in Ahmedabad costs me ₹18,000-25,000. But here's the flip side: It's only once a year or every 15,000 km. The intervals are long. And in three years, beyond regular wear and tear (tyres, brakes), nothing has broken. Not a single rattle, not an electrical glitch.
* The Spare Parts Ghost: Yes, if something major goes bang, it will cost. But in my experience, if you maintain it properly at the authorised service centre (Skoda's service has actually become quite professional), it just doesn't break. The build quality is tank-like.
* The Fuel Bill: On the highway, it gives a solid 16-18 km/l. This helps balance the city thirst.
* The Resale Shock: This is the real sting. Skoda's resale value is still poor. You buy this car to drive it into the ground, not to sell in 5 years. The depreciation is your biggest cost.
The Gujarati Context: How It Fits (or Doesn't)
* For the Long Drives: To Udaipur, to Mumbai, to our farms in Saurashtra – it's unbeatable. Comfort, safety, and mile-munching ability.
* For the "Show Factor": It won't get you the same status nods as a Fortuner at a wedding. It gets appreciative glances from people who know cars. It's a connoisseur's choice.
* For the Practical Family: If you need 7 seats but find the Innova too "taxi-like" and the Fortuner too crude, this is your only premium option. It's the thinking family's large SUV.
The Final Balance Sheet (Mine, Not Skoda's)
Pros (What Makes Me Smile):
* Unmatched highway cruiser comfort and stability.
* Supreme build quality and solid feel.
* A beautiful, practical, and tech-loaded interior.
* That monstrous, effortless torque.
Cons (What Makes Me Sigh):
* The looming shadow of high maintenance costs (if something fails).
* Poor resale value – a commitment, not an asset.
* Its width can be a pain in old city areas.
* The infotainment can be slow to respond, like a lazy peon.
The Bottom Line: Who Is This For?
The Kodiaq is not for everyone in Gujarat. It's for someone who:
* Values driving refinement and comfort over brand badge flash.
* Does a significant amount of highway driving.
* Has a family that appreciates quiet, space, and quality.
* Has the budget to maintain it properly and the mindset to keep it for 8-10 years.
It’s a car you buy with your heart and your head. The heart loves the way it drives and feels. The head has to accept the running costs and commit to it.
For me, it's been worth every paisa. The peace it provides on long journeys, the confidence it inspires, and the quiet pride of owning something truly well-engineered—that's the real value. It's not just a car; it's my sanctuary on wheels.
Drive safe, drive far, and enjoy the quiet luxury. 🚗💨
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Shrinivas Reddy 1 month ago
I was torn between a Tucson and this. The Kodiaq's tech—virtual cockpit, Canton sound, adaptive dampers (on the L&K)—won me over. The 'slow infotainment' you mention is true, but the Android Auto works flawlessly. The real test was the road to Palitana. The way it handled the broken patches and the steep climb was incredible. My friends with their flashy SUVs were bouncing around; I was just gliding. The 'width' issue is there, but in Bhavnagar, we have space. It's my office on wheels.
Amit Saxena 1 month ago
My life is NH-27 between Rajkot and Ahmedabad. I bought the Kodiaq diesel for one reason: 18 km/l at 120 km/h with AC on. No other 7-seater SUV does that. The comfort means I can do the round trip in a day without fatigue. The 'tank-like' build handles our village roads when I visit the farm. The local mechanic in Morbi doesn't touch it, though. He says, 'Bapu, too many computers.' I service it only in Ahmedabad. Yes, it costs, but the reliability pays me back in time saved.
Suresh Mohanty 1 month ago
Papa wanted a 'big German car.' I wanted something understated. The Kodiaq was the perfect compromise. Your point about it being a 'lounge' is spot on. When I pick up international clients from the Surat airport, the silence, the cooled seats, the panoramic sunroof on the way to the SEZ—they're impressed. They expect a S-Class; they get a 'quiet powerhouse.' The width in the narrow lanes of Rander is a nightmare, though. I've learned every inch via the 360-camera. The fuel efficiency to Mumbai is phenomenal. It's my stealth wealth mobile.
Karthik Iyer 1 month ago
you've penned my diary. That 'quiet rebellion' against the Fortuner culture is so real. My clients in corporate parks see it and nod slowly—they get it. The 'highway king' title is earned. I've driven to Udaipur and back in a day for site visits, and stepped out without a creak in my back. The 'service fear' is a myth if you follow the schedule. My service advisor, Rajubhai, is now a family friend. He tells me upfront, 'Saheb, this service will cost X, because Y is due.' No surprises. The resale? I plan to give this to my son when he turns 18. It'll still be solid.