Skoda Kodiaq RS review, first drive: Does India's first RS SUV live up to the legendary badge?

Published 29 June 2026 · india

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

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. Until now, RS lineup in India was all about sedans. The Kodiaq RS breaks new ground as the first Skoda RS SUV. Read Full Story 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. The signature butterfly grille now gets a gloss-black finish instead of chrome with a redesigned bumper featuring larger air intakes. Smoked LED Matrix headlamps complete the darker, sharper look, giving the SUV a cleaner and sportier appearance. 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 side profile is defined by 20-inch alloy wheels, while red brake callipers behind the spokes add a subtle yet unmistakable sporty touch. 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. At the rear, black Skoda lettering, an RS badge and a sportier bumper set it apart. Real chrome-finished dual exhaust tips, instead of fake outlets, add a welcome touch of authenticity. 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.