I have been waiting for the Skoda Kodiaq RS to arrive in India for months. The regular Kodiaq is a solid family SUV. But the RS badge promises something more exciting.
The car finally launched on July 1, 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the price, what you get for your money, and why the first batch sold out instantly.
The Official Price
The Skoda Kodiaq RS expected price was the big question. We finally have the answer.
Skoda launched the Kodiaq RS in India at Rs 66.99 lakh (ex-showroom). That is a single, fully-loaded variant. No other options to choose from.
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How does that compare? The standard Kodiaq Selection L&K costs Rs 46.99 lakh. The RS commands a premium of roughly Rs 20 lakh over that variant.
It is a significant jump. But the RS is not just a badge. It is a completely different beast under the skin.
Why the Premium?
The price difference makes sense when you look at what changed.
The engine is the biggest upgrade. The Kodiaq RS uses a retuned 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine . It produces 265 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. The regular Kodiaq produces just 201 bhp and 320 Nm. That is an extra 61 bhp and 80 Nm of torque.
The performance numbers speak for themselves. Skoda claims a 0-100 kmph time of 6.3 seconds. That makes it the quickest Skoda ever launched in India . Top speed is rated at 231 kmph.
The chassis and brakes are upgraded too. The RS gets Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC Plus) with 15 adjustable settings. Larger brake discs and dual-piston front calipers handle the stopping power . Progressive steering sharpens the handling.
The RS is imported as a CBU (Completely Built-Up Unit). That attracts significantly higher import duties compared to locally assembled models. That is the main reason for the price jump.
Limited Availability and Insane Demand
Here is the reality check. The Kodiaq RS is not for everyone. It is for the lucky few.
Only 50 units were allocated for India. Skoda opened bookings on June 22, 2026. Within six minutes, all 50 units were sold out.
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That is incredible demand. Skoda has not confirmed if a second batch will be brought to India. If you missed the first batch, you may be out of luck.
The car is being imported as a CBU with limited production numbers globally. That is why Skoda only allocated 50 units to India.
What You Get for Rs 66.99 Lakh?
The Kodiaq RS is a fully-loaded SUV. Here is what is included.
Exterior Design
The RS gets several visual upgrades over the standard Kodiaq:
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Gloss black grille, ORVMs, window frames, roof rails and D-pillar
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20-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers
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Redesigned front and rear bumpers
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LED Matrix headlights with cornering function
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Dual stainless steel exhaust tips
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RS badging on grille and tailgate
Colour options: Velvet Red, Magic Black, Moon White, and Steel Grey .
Interior and Features
The cabin is sporty and premium:
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All-black interior theme with red contrast stitching
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RS embossing on sport seats with integrated headrests
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12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
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10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with RS-specific graphics
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13-speaker Canton sound system with subwoofer
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Three-zone climate control
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Panoramic sunroof
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Powered front seats with ventilation, heating, and massage functions
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Wireless phone charging with ventilation
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Powered tailgate
Safety
The safety suite is comprehensive:
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9 airbags
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360-degree camera
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Tyre pressure monitoring system
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Full ADAS suite
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Front and rear parking sensors
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Auto park assist
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Hill start assist and hill descent control
Ground Clearance and Practicality
The Skoda Kodiaq RS ground clearance is another practical consideration.
The standard Kodiaq has a ground clearance of around 189 mm. The RS sits on 20-inch wheels with a sportier suspension setup. The ground clearance is likely similar, but the adaptive dampers change the ride height dynamics.
The RS remains a 5+2 seater layout. That means seven seats in total. The second row slides and reclines. Rear sunshades are provided for passenger comfort.
You get the same practicality as the standard Kodiaq. Just with a lot more power.
Mileage and Running Costs
The Skoda Kodiaq RS mileage is not officially confirmed for India yet.
The engine is a performance-focused 2.0-litre turbo-petrol. Expect fuel efficiency to be lower than the standard Kodiaq. The standard Kodiaq returns roughly 12-14 kmpl in mixed driving. The RS will likely be closer to 8-10 kmpl given the extra power and weight.
This is a performance SUV. Mileage is not its primary focus.
The Final Thoughts
The Kodiaq RS is a special car. The price is steep at Rs 66.99 lakh. But for that money, you get genuine performance and a practical seven-seater SUV.
What I like: The engine is a step change from the standard Kodiaq. 265 bhp and 400 Nm in a family SUV is serious power. The 0-100 kmph time of 6.3 seconds puts it in a different league. The adaptive suspension and upgraded brakes make it a genuine driver's car.
What concerns me: The CBU pricing is high. Rs 66.99 lakh puts it in a tough spot. Rivals include the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line and MG Majestor. The limited availability is also frustrating. Only 50 units for the entire country is a tease.
My verdict: If you want a practical SUV that also happens to be a performance machine, the Kodiaq RS is hard to beat. It is expensive. It is rare. But it is also brilliant. The first batch sold out in six minutes for a reason.