'The SUV you’re seeing everywhere? I spent 2 weeks in it, and I have... notes.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Škoda

I'm going to be honest.

I don't speak "car". I have no idea what "four-wheel drive" actually means and I couldn't point out a transmission if my life depended on it.

But what I do know is that I had the chance to test drive the Škoda Kodiaq SUV — and somehow I've ended up a full-blown car saleswoman.

I invited my dad over just so I could walk him through the 13-inch infotainment system. I drove to my sister's place to show her how the boot magically opens with a wave of the foot. And when my husband hopped in, he muttered, "This is genuinely a very good car".

So YES, it's all I've been talking about for the past two weeks.

I've been in my fair share of SUVs as a passenger, but the Škoda Kodiaq? It genuinely feels different to the others.

So, after two weeks of driving the car everyone's suddenly obsessed with, here's my very honest review.

Comfort

When I fell pregnant with my daughter, Luna, I was driving a tiny two-door car with absolutely no boot space. Everyone kept telling me I'd need something bigger, and I remember looking down at my bump thinking, "Err, pretty sure she's going to weigh like three kilos… we'll be right".

Spoiler — we would not be right.

Because once you factor in a car seat, a pram, a nappy bag, my bag, the second-hand clothes you've been meaning to donate for four years, a baby bath you plan to drop at your sister's place, a portable cot that somehow appeared in your life and won't fit in your house and 11 books to keep a toddler entertained — you need nothing short of a bus.

And without actually being a bus, the Škoda Kodiaq SUV fits it all. The cargo features in the boot even keep everything upright and in place so you don't hear a BANG every time you turn a corner.

Image: Supplied.

What I didn't even realise at first is that this car is a seven-seater. It takes maybe 20 seconds to reconfigure the back and suddenly — two more seats appear. It's ridiculously helpful when you keep promising people a lift home, only to remember you didn't factor in your daughter's car seat.

Then there's the three-zone climate control, meaning the driver, the front passenger and the people in the back can all set their own air-con temperatures. Genius.

The word that kept popping into my head while driving this family SUV was "intuitive". I couldn't believe how many things it had already thought of and how it delivered exactly what I needed just as I was thinking about it.

Like the day Luna had thrown one of her snacks on the floor, I had lunch wrappers on the passenger seat and parking receipts floating around. I gathered it all up, went to shove it in the driver's door and boom. There was a bin. In the door panel. With a lid and everything.

I also spotted the sunblinds on the back windows and the sunroof. I never understood blinds until I had a baby and realised they can mean the difference between a long, peaceful nap in the car (the baby, not me — I wish) or 30 minutes of screaming because the sun's in their eyes and they're overtired.

Oh, and in the driver's door? A compartment that stores an umbrella. It's like the Škoda Kodiaq is a personal assistant who just wants to make every part of your day easier.

Image: Supplied.

Tech

It was probably the tech features that blew my mind — and my passengers' minds — the most.

Let's start with the key that isn't actually a key. Everything is automatic. Locking, unlocking... it all just happens. As soon as the car senses you're nearby, it unlocks. As someone who's locked my keys in the car more than once, I was stoked. And starting the engine? Just push a button.

In my new-found role as a car saleswoman, one of my favourite party tricks to show my clients (my sister, dad etc.) is the contactless boot opening. You just move your foot under the back of the car and the boot lifts straight up, and you do the exact same thing to close it. When your arms are full with a folded pram and a toddler who refuses to be put down, it's a game-changer.

Another feature — simple, but honestly genius — was the wireless charging pads in the centre console. I can't count how many times my phone has died mid-drive, leaving me without maps and taking 11 wrong turns before finally making it home. The Kodiaq has two pads, so no arguments about whose phone is closer to dying.

Image: Supplied.

Then there's the 13-inch infotainment system that hooks up to your phone at the click of a button. There's a reverse camera, and if you've ever found yourself reverse parking in front of a cafe and caught the attention of dozens of people because you bungled it so badly, well. The Škoda Kodiaq has a park assist system, which can automatically control steering, braking and gear shifting. It's the car I've always dreamed of. 

Final verdict

Look, I'm in the market for a new car. And honestly? I'd buy the Škoda Kodiaq in a heartbeat.

It's by a long shot the best car I have ever driven. It's intuitive, ridiculously comfortable and perfect for families who need versatility and space. 

It's like this car was designed by a mum who knew exactly where the pain points were and was determined to fix them. On behalf of the rest of us, thank you for creating the car we didn't even realise we needed. 

Visit Škoda's website to book a test drive or find out more about their SUV range.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Built for families, the Škoda Kodiaq is a spacious 7-seater SUV designed for everyday adventures. From school runs to road trips, it's packed with smart features that make life easier. A roomy boot with cargo fasteners keeps everything secure, while thoughtful details like door edge protectors, keyless entry, integrated sunblinds, and door waste bins enhance convenience. With a 7-year standard warranty, the Kodiaq is ready for wherever life takes you—combining practicality, comfort, and innovation in one stylish package.