Skoda has a lot to celebrate. The second-generation of their popular Kodiaq SUV has aced the latest Euro NCAP crash tests, securing a coveted 5-star safety rating. This rigorous evaluation process goes beyond simple crashworthiness; it assesses a vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in a variety of collision scenarios and evaluates the effectiveness of its safety features for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. The Kodiaq’s stellar performance across all these categories bodes well for its upcoming launch in the Indian market, expected by mid-2025.
Exceptional Scores Across All Safety Parameters
The Euro NCAP tests dissect a vehicle’s safety performance into four key areas: Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection, Safety Assist Systems, and Vulnerable Road Users (VRU). The new Kodiaq impressed in all categories, achieving exceptional scores:
- Adult Occupant Protection (AOP): 89%
- Child Occupant Protection: 83%
- Safety Assist Systems: 78%
- Vulnerable Road Users (VRU): 82%
These high scores translate to a significant level of safety for both drivers and passengers. The Kodiaq boasts advanced driver-assistance systems that can prevent accidents or mitigate their severity. Additionally, the SUV incorporates measures to minimize injuries to pedestrians and cyclists in the unfortunate event of a collision.
Safety Features Breakdown: A Recipe for Success
The Kodiaq tested by Euro NCAP was a left-hand drive diesel variant in a 4×4 configuration. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features that played a crucial role in its outstanding test results. These features include:
- Six airbags strategically positioned throughout the cabin for optimal occupant protection
- Seat belt reminders with pretensioners for all seats, ensuring occupants are securely restrained in the event of a collision
- ISOFIX child seat mounts that provide a safe and secure way to transport children of varying ages
- Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) that offer a range of electronic aids to enhance safety and driver assistance
A Deep Dive into the Test Results
The Euro NCAP report offers a detailed breakdown of the Kodiaq’s performance in various test scenarios, providing valuable insights into its real-world safety capabilities:
- Frontal Offset Test: The Kodiaq’s bodyshell demonstrated exceptional rigidity, effectively protecting the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger in a head-on collision. The full-width rigid barrier test yielded similarly positive results, with good or adequate protection for all critical body areas of the occupants.
- Side Barrier and Pole Impact Tests: The Kodiaq achieved the maximum possible score in these tests, indicating outstanding protection for occupants in side-impact collisions, a common occurrence on busy roads.
- Whiplash Protection: Tests on the front seats and head restraints confirmed the Kodiaq’s effectiveness in preventing whiplash injuries, a common complaint in rear-end crashes.
- Child Occupant Protection: The Kodiaq provided exceptional protection to both child dummies in frontal and side-impact tests. The car allows for the deactivation of the front passenger airbag to facilitate the safe installation of a rearward-facing child seat, with a clear communication system to keep the driver informed of the airbag status. However, the absence of a child presence detection system is a minor drawback.
- Safety Assist Systems: The Kodiaq’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system excelled in detecting and responding to other vehicles on the road, potentially preventing collisions or mitigating their severity. The lane support system effectively keeps the car centered in its lane and intervenes in critical situations to prevent lane departure. Additionally, the speed limit detection system and automatic speed limiter setting further enhance safety on highways.
- Vulnerable Road Users: While pedestrian head protection was mostly adequate, the A-pillars and windscreen base showed areas for improvement. However, the AEB system responded well to both pedestrians and cyclists, including scenarios where a car door is opened in the path of a cyclist (dooring). The lane assist systems also played a role in protecting cyclists by preventing unintentional lane changes.
Safety First: A Strong Contender for the Indian Market
Skoda is currently testing the second-generation Kodiaq in India, and its launch is anticipated by mid-2025. While the Euro NCAP test car sported a diesel engine, the India-spec Kodiaq is likely to come with a 2.0-liter petrol engine. Regardless of the engine option, the Euro NCAP test results provide valuable insights into the Kodiaq’s overall safety prowess. With its impressive scores and comprehensive safety features, the new Kodiaq is poised to be a strong contender in the Indian