Know your Skoda: The model range explained

Confused by all those K-names? We've got you covered.


As the Czech challenger brand under the massive Volkswagen Group umbrella, Skoda has been making strides in recent years to compete with the car industry’s top players.

But with less brand recognition than its peers, plus a lot of difficult-to-spell model names (many of them starting with a ‘K’), it’s understandable the Skoda range could feel a little confusing for first-time shoppers.

That’s not to say it isn’t well worth doing your research – with a model to suit almost every type of buyer, plus competitive pricing and plenty of cargo space, Skoda deserves the extra attention.

Below, we break down the Skoda line-up for 2020 and how they differ from one another.

Czech it out (sorry, had to be done).


KAMIQ

What is it?

The newest addition to the Skoda line-up, the Kamiq is a small crossover SUV specifically designed for city living. The Kamiq represents the new entry point in Skoda’s SUV line-up.

It promises low fuel consumption (a maximum of 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle), a suite of standard infotainment and safety technologies, and cargo capacity of 400L, or 1395L with the rear seats folded.

What’s under the bonnet?

Buyers have the choice of three powertrain options: a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission mated to a 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder (85kW/200Nm), called the '85TSI', or a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder '110TSI' (110kW/250Nm) with the seven-speed dual-clutch auto. All Kamiq models are front-wheel drive.

Who’s the target buyer?

City dwellers who need a touch more space and ride height than a hatchback.

What does it compete with?

The Renault Kadjar, the Subaru XV, the Mazda CX-30, the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Volkswagen T-Roc (although, mechanically closer to the smaller T-Cross) or the Audi Q2.

How much is it?

From $26,990 to $35,590 before on-road costs, or from $27,990 drive-away.

 

 Skoda Kamiq
Body typeSmall SUV
Number of seats5
Length4241mm
Width1793mm
Height1531mm
Wheelbase2651mm
Boot volume (min/max)400L / 1395L
Ground clearance188mm
Tare mass1191kg
Price range (MSRP)$26,990–$34,190

 


KAROQ

What is it?

A medium SUV with a focus on practicality, the base Karoq model comes equipped with a removable torch and 'Varioflex' seating arrangement that allows the seats to fold forward individually, or remove entirely, to further improve on the 479L boot space.

Unlike the Kamiq, the Karoq offers the choice of both front-wheel and all-wheel drive – although the latter comes higher up in the range – a bigger boot and slightly higher fuel economy of 6.6–6.9L/100km on a combined cycle.

What’s under the bonnet?

Buyers can choose from a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol engine (110kW/250Nm) with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels or a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder 140TSI petrol engine (140kW/320Nm) with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Unlike in the Kamiq, there are no manual gearboxes available in the Karoq range.

Who’s the target buyer?

Lifestyle shoppers who require extra storage space, practicality and the occasional off-road credentials.

What does it compete with?

How much is it?

From $32,990 to $39,990 before on-road costs, or from $35,990 drive-away.

 

 Skoda Karoq
Body typeMedium SUV
Number of seats5
Length4382mm
Width1841mm
Height1603mm
Wheelbase2638mm
Boot volume (min/max)479L / 1630L
Ground clearance164mm
Tare massfrom 1425kg
Price range (MSRP)$32,990–$39,990

 


KODIAQ

What is it?

The Kodiaq is the biggest Skoda you can buy, with seven seats on offer and up to 2007L of cargo space (to the roof) available with the seats stowed.

Naturally, it’s also the most expensive Skoda on offer, kicking off from just under $45,000 for a base model. All Kodiaq models are all-wheel drive, plus it’s the only Skoda SUV to offer the option of a diesel engine on the flagship RS variant.

For families looking for a twist of performance in their seven-seat SUV, the Kodiaq RS can sprint from 0–100km/h in a pert 7.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 220km/h – not exactly school run appropriate.

What’s under the bonnet?

Both the Kodiaq 132TSI and 132TSI Sportline received a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 132kW and 320Nm paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with all-wheel drive.

The flagship Kodiaq RS receives a more powerful 2.0-litre, four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine making 176kW and 500Nm, and paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with all-wheel drive.

Like the Karoq, there’s no manual option in the Kodiaq line-up.

Who’s the target buyer?

Bigger families who need some extra cargo capacity and engine grunt.

What does it compete with?

How much is it?

From $44,890 up to $65,990 before on-road costs, or from $47,990 drive-away.

 

 Skoda Kodiaq
Body typeLarge SUV
Number of seats7
Length4699mm
Width1882mm
Height1685mm
Wheelbase2791mm
Boot volume (min/max)270L / 2005L
Ground clearance187mm
Tare massfrom 1722kg
Price range (MSRP)$44,890–$65,990

 


FABIA

What is it?

Available in either hatchback or wagon form, the compact Fabia is the smallest and most affordable model in the Skoda line-up.

Not only can buyers select from a wagon or hatch, there’s also the choice of manual or automatic transmission, and an economical fuel consumption figure of between 4.5–4.7L/100km on a combined cycle.

The top-of-the-range Monte Carlo variant provides buyers with a sportier look in the absence of a genuine ‘hot hatch’ offering.

What’s under the bonnet?

Fabia shoppers have the choice of two different powertrains across both the hatch and wagon body types.

Both feature a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which generates 70kW of power and 160Nm of torque when paired to the five-speed manual transmission, or 81kW/200N when coupled to the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Both powertrains are front-wheel drive only.

Who’s the target buyer?

First-car buyers or city-based shoppers on a budget who need a compact footprint, but might also be tempted by a relatively affordable wagon option.

What does it compete with?

How much is it?

The Fabia hatch starts at $17,790 (or $17,990 drive-away) and ranges up to $24,390 before on-road costs, while the Fabia wagon is slightly more expensive, starting at $18,890 (or $18,990 drive-away) and heading up to $25,490 plus on-road costs.

 

 Skoda Fabia
Body typeLight hatchback or wagon
Number of seats5
Length3997mm (hatch) / 4262mm (wagon)
Width1732mm
Height1467mm (hatch) / 1488mm (wagon)
Wheelbase2470mm
Boot volume (min/max)330L / 1150L (hatch) – 1073L / 1117L (wagon)
Ground clearance133mm
Tare mass1053kg (hatch) / 1073kg (wagon)
Price range (MSRP)$17,990–$25,490

 


SCALA

What is it?

The next step up from the Fabia, the Skoda Scala hatchback arrived in 2020 to slot into the competitive small-car class and serve as Skoda’s answer to the popular Volkswagen Golf.

It’s slightly larger than the Fabia, offering 467L of boot space compared to the Fabia hatch’s 330L (although the Fabia wagon wins with 530L), and it’s also got a bigger footprint than the Golf, but borrows parts of its chassis from the smaller Polo.

What’s under the bonnet?

All Scala variants receive the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Who’s the target buyer?

Compact car buyers who want European styling and still need a big boot – the Scala’s is impressively large at 467L.

What does it compete with?

How much is it?

The Scala starts at $27,690 plus on-road costs (or $26,990 drive-away), and carries through to $34,690 plus on-road costs for a top-spec variant.

 

 Skoda Scala
Body typeHatchback
Number of seats5
Length4362mm
Width1793mm
Height1471mm
Wheelbase2649mm
Boot volume (min/max)467L / 1410L
Ground clearance149mm
Tare mass1203kg
Price range (MSRP)$27,690–$34,690

 


OCTAVIA

What is it?

Also available as a sedan or a wagon, the Octavia is a medium-sized passenger car that’s been available in Australia ever since Skoda itself launched here in 2008.

Those who want a side of potent performance with their practicality can opt for the flagship RS245 variant, a more powerful Octavia that launched in 2017.

A new-generation Octavia is slated to land in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2021, with the wagon variants set to slightly increase in size to further improve on cabin space.

A high-riding Octavia Scout wagon variant was also revealed in 2020, but local plans are unconfirmed.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Octavia receives a four-cylinder, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing a maximum of 110kW and 250Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the hotted-up RS245 variants are also front-wheel drive and receive a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 180kW and 370Nm, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to the front wheels only.

Who’s the target buyer?

Non-SUV lovers who still want some space but at an affordable price.

What does it compete with?

How much is it?

The Octavia sedan is priced between $24,890 and $32,290 before on-road costs (or from $26,890 drive-away), while the wagon pricing sits between $29,49 and $49,090 plus on-road costs (or from $28,990 drive-away).

 

 Skoda Octavia
Body typeMedium sedan or wagon
Number of seats5
Length4667mm (sedan) / 4689mm (wagon)
Width1814mm
Height1448mm (sedan) / 1452mm (wagon)
Wheelbase2680mm
Boot volume (min/max)568L / 1558L (sedan) – 588L / 1718L (wagon)
Ground clearance140mm
Tare mass1219kg (sedan) / 1251kg (wagon)
Price range (MSRP)$24,890–$49,090

 


SUPERB

What is it?

Like many of Skoda’s models, Superb buyers can pick from a sedan or wagon body shape.

The large passenger car also offers a whopping boot – 625L in the sedan, or 660L at minimum in the wagon, with up to 1950L when the rear seats are folded.

In mid-2020, Skoda also added the limited-edition Scout 200TSI wagon to the line-up, offering a lifted ride height and more ground clearance better suited to off-road adventures.

What’s under the bonnet?

Superb shoppers can choose from either four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive across both the wagon and sedan body types.

Transmission is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and there’s the option of two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines, one of which produces 162kW/350Nm in front-wheel-drive variants, or another offering 206kW/350Nm in four-wheel-drive variants.

The Scout variant, meanwhile, has a 200kW/350Nm 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with petrol particulate filter that sends power to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Who’s the target buyer?

Wagon lovers, of course! Or sedan buyers who want all-wheel-drive capabilities.

What does it compete with?

How much is it?

From between $40,690–$56,790 before on-road costs (or from $43,990 drive-away) for the sedan, or between $42,390–$59,490 before on-road costs (or from $45,690 drive-away) for the wagon.

 

 Skoda Superb
Body typeLarge sedan or wagon
Number of seats5
Length4861mm (sedan) / 4856mm (wagon)
Width1864mm
Height1468mm (sedan) / 1477mm (wagon)
Wheelbase2841mm
Boot volume (min/max)625L / 1760L (sedan) – 660L / 1950L (wagon)
Ground clearance133mm
Tare mass1463kg (sedan) / 1490kg (wagon)
Price range (MSRP)$40,690–$59,490

 


Here's how the range prices break down:

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Susannah Guthrie

Susannah Guthrie has been a journalist for over a decade, covering everything from world news to fashion, entertainment, health and now cars. Having previously worked across titles like The New Daily, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, People Magazine and Cosmopolitan, Susannah now relishes testing family cars with the help of her husband and two-year-old son.

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