Cheaper, quicker and bigger: Skoda Kodiaq RS returns to Australia, starts from $69,990

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Skoda has confirmed the Kodiaq RS will return to Australia in October this year with a starting price of $69,990 before on-road costs.

That figure is around $600 cheaper than the outgoing 2024 model, with driveaway pricing expected to sit between $74,000 to $77,000. It sits above the entry-level Select ($54,990) and Sportline ($58,990) in the model range.

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A sibling vehicle to the Volkswagen Tayron 195TSI R-Line, the seven-seater duo presents as a compact pair of alternatives to traditional large SUVs such as the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento.

As before, the Kodiaq RS comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine but this time producing 195kW and 400Nm – a 15kW/30Nm increase over its predecessor.

The 0-100km/h time is quoted at 6.3 seconds – a 0.3-second improvement over the last generation. The Kodiaq RS has also grown in size, along with the rest of the range, in pursuit of improved space in the third row and boot.

In terms of handling, the RS features retuned 15-stage adaptive dampers and a progressive steering rack.

What else does the 2026 Kodaiq RS include?

In Australia, the exterior of the Kodiaq RS is fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, LED fog lights, LED tail-light and a slew of black accents hinting at its performance intentions. 

The interior features a new flat-bottom, perforated steering wheel design and a 13-inch multimedia screen paired with Skoda’s new rotating dials with inner screens to select different modes.

A 10-inch digital driver’s display sits up front and the front seats are heated, ventilated and are power adjustable with memory settings on both sides. The second row of the Kodiaq RS also features a heating function on the outboard seats and benefits from three-zone climate control.

Other highlight features include 15-watt dual wireless phone chargers with active ventilation, a heads-up display, a 360-degree camera system and 13-speaker Canton sound system.

Standard safety features include front and rear AEB, adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assistance, safe exit assistance, emergency steering assistance and nine airbags.  

The only options are the $1900 panoramic sunroof and $770 premium paint.

Mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions will also be added to the Kodiaq range in the first half of 2026, with the latter quoting up to 100km of range (WLTP).

Skoda Kodiaq 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Select: $54,990
• Sportline: $58,990
• RS: $69,990