There’s a lot to like about the new Skoda Kodiaq, but it’s a good tow car rather than a great one.

The Kodiaq failed to cope with crosswinds as well as the likes of the Jaguar F-Pace and VW Tiguan, and while it behaved well enough for most of our test drivers at 60mph, it wasn’t as well tied down at 70mph.

Perhaps the noseweight of just 80kg did the Kodiaq no favours (a maximum of 100kg would be more typical for an SUV of this size).

However, the Skoda impressed in other ways. The 30-60mph time of 12 seconds shows the strength of the 2.0-litre engine, and the stopping distance of just 10.2m is very impressive.

The Kodiaq handled the hill-start test well, too, easily pulling up the 1-in-6 gradient.

In everyday driving, the Kodiaq handles very neatly, and although the low-speed ride can feel a bit lumpy it’s always well controlled.

There’s some wind noise from around the mirrors, but otherwise the Skoda is quiet and refined at speed.

Inside, Skoda has put together a practical and flexible cabin. There’s not as much room for those in the third row as you’d find in a Kia Sorento, but the middle seats can slide forward on runners to free up some more legroom for those in the back.

With seats six and seven folded into the floor, there’s a huge boot with plenty of space for all our holiday luggage.

The Skoda has another trump card to play: price. It costs around £4000 less than the VW Tiguan with the same engine and transmission.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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