Europe’s Finest Going Head to Head. Skoda Kodiaq vs the Peugeot 5008.

Competition is hotter than ever and demand has never been higher in the seven seat SUV segment. Today we will examine and compare two of Europe’s finest offerings in the Skoda Kodiaq and a resurgent Peugeot 5008, and see in which aspects they may differ (without turning it too much into a Skoda Kodiaq review). It looks to be a tight battle, so let the Skoda Kodiaq vs peugeot 5008 showdown begin!

Skoda Kodiaq vs the Peugeot 5008:

mparison peugeot 5008 vs skoda kodiaq

Let’s start with the all important cost factor. Peugeot is only bringing two of its most premium trims into the Australian market, with the 5008 GT Line priced at $51,990 and the top level GT going for $58,990.

The Skoda Kodiaq is available in three trims, with the entry level Kodiaq costing $46,390, the Kodiaq Sportline $50,290 and the most powerful Kodiaq RS setting you back $68,890. So at the entry level the Kodiaq is lower priced, whereas as on the higher end the 5008 GT is cheaper.

Peugeot 5008 vs skoda kodiaq – Exterior

As with all design, it comes down to personal taste. The Skoda Kodiaq has distinctive styling on the exterior. All elements blend together seamlessly from the front to the rear, including the sharp lines and contouring. It has a sleek form with an understated elegance that warrants a second and closer look. The frame of the Skoda Kodiaq is also actually slightly larger by 58mm in length and 38mm in width, which means more room for designers to work with.

Meanwhile the Peugeot 5008 in comparison has a slighty bolder look with a prominent front grille and bumper with a contrasting colour scheme and a slighty boxy appearance, owing to a flatter rear and longer wheelbase.

Peugeot 5008 vs skoda kodiaq Interior

Both models are very nicely laid out inside with no glaring oddities. While both have ample head and leg room, the front of the Peugeot 5008 feels snug whereas it feels somewhat more spacious in the driver seat of the Skoda Kodiaq.

Both come with an infotainment unit on the centre console, though the Kodiaq boasts a better viewing experience with a larger 9.2-inch screen size compared to the 8.0-inch in the 5008.

For passenger comfort, you also have the option to upgrade your climate control from a dual-zone to triple-zone in the Kodiaq, plus it has a proper dials for the air conditioning so you don’t have to fiddle with the touchscreen.

Peugeot 5008 vs skoda kodiaq Performance

The Skoda Kodiaq at 1722kg is 249kg heavier than the Peugeot 5008 GT Line. But it more than makes up for this extra weight with more powerful engine offerings. If we compare the two entry level trims, the 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre engine gives the Kodiaq more grunt over the 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre unit in the 5008. This extra power means that the Kodiaq is quicker off the mark and has more oomph in traffic. It can go from 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds, a whole 2.1 seconds quicker than the 5008 GT.However a bigger engine also means a thirstier one, with the Kodiaq running at 7.6 L/100km, while the 5008 GT runs at a more economical 7.0L/100km.

The Peugeot 5008 is front wheel drive only, while all Kodiaqs are 4-wheel-drive (4×4), giving it the edge in the off-road department.

Driving Experience of Peugeot 5008 vs skoda kodiaq

You can feel the 5008’s lightness in the agility of its response, making it feel more fun to drive. However, the engine does need a bit of coaxing, especially at higher speeds. You can try switching to Sport mode to turn up that feeling of intensity, though this can come at the sacrifice of some ride comfort.

The Kodiaq with its more powerful engines is useful and effortless overtaking situations, minimising the time spent on the wrong side of the road on a country highway for example. It feels clingier to the road than the 5008 without that snappy response, but more solid yet accurate steering.

Boot Capacity – Peugeot 5008 vs skoda kodiaq

As expected with three row SUVs, both the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq don’t offer much boot space when you have the third row up. However, thankfully most owners realistically won’t use the third row too often which opens up a lot more room in the boot. With the third row seats down, you get a nice 630L of boot space in the Skoda Kodiaq, big enough to fit in a few large suitcases. Surprisingly, the 5008 has a much larger 780L volume (likely due it’s flatter shaped rear design).

The boot space does even out once you fold down the second row seats too, with a huge 2005L of space available in the back of the Kodiaq and 2042L in the 5008. With a boot that large, the question becomes more what can’t you fit?

Safety Guaranteed

A big concern is always safety, and it’s good to know that both vehicles achieved a maximum 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating. The 5008 does beat out the Kodiaq by having some additional safety features as standard like lane keep assistance and speed limit recognition.

Final Verdict

It is hard to fault either the Peugeot 5008 or the Skoda Kodiaq. Both are well built cars with a nice aesthetic and practical design with different approaches that work. At the end of the day, it will probably come down to which things you consider more important.

The Peugeot 5008 drives very well, is more economical, and manages to pack a lot into a slightly smaller frame. But it’s lack of power and not having proper 4-wheel-drive, making it more suited to inner city and urban environments, as well as anyone that would prefer a bit more space in the boot.

The Skoda Kodiaq on the other hand is no slouch, and it manages to balance that extra performance with comfort and accommodation for all seven occupants. The 4×4 capability definitely makes it more appealing to a larger crowd that includes the weekend warriors and bush campers.