While Volkswagen and, to a growing extent, Audi are under attack for the protracted diesel scandal, one brand name in the Volkswagen Group’s vast collection has sailed through the discussion unblemished: ?koda, the group’s Czech-based budget division. The brand’s CEO is even blustering about the possibility of a U.S.-market launch?a scenario that seems unlikely to happen, barring the even more unlikely event that VW decides to move the parent brand out of the New World for good.
But who knows" ?koda has conquered pretty much every challenge so far, and in some markets?notably India?its profile is at least equal, if not superior, to that of VW. If ?koda did set up camp in the U.S., one model would seem certain to lead the way: the Kodiaq, a mid-size SUV that shares its platform with the second-generation VW Tiguan and the upcoming, larger Volkswagen SUV. Launched at the 2016 Paris auto show, the Kodiaq comes with front- or all-wheel drive and will offer buyers a choice among five engines: two TDI turbo-diesels, rated at 150 and 190 horsepower, and three turbocharged gasoline engines making 125, 150 and 180 horsepower. Depending on the engine, ?koda will offer a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission with six or seven gears.
The power ratings don’t sound impressive, but the Kodiaq?built atop the corporate MQB modular transverse architecture?is a relatively lightweight SUV, starting at 3201 pounds. The drag coefficient is 0.33,...