Skoda Kodiaq Edition X: More Kit, Less Cash for Its 10th Birthday

The Skoda Kodiaq gets a special edition called Edition X to celebrate its 10th birthday. Launched in the UK from £39,995, this version piles on the kit compared to the Kodiaq SE L while undercutting its equivalent in the standard range by roughly £2,000. It hits dealers in late spring 2026, powered by a 148 hp mild-hybrid engine.

"By slipping underneath the £40,000 threshold, it also sidesteps the luxury car tax surcharge, making it cheaper to run than a 'standard' SE L." — Auto Express UK

An Anniversary Edition That Plays Both Sides

The Kodiaq has been around for ten years. Skoda launched this big SUV back in 2016, and to mark the occasion, the Czech brand is rolling out a limited-run version with a telling name: Edition X. The idea isn't groundbreaking on paper — a special trim with darker looks and a tweaked price tag — but the execution is devilishly clever.

What hits you first is the pricing trick. By keeping the price below the £40,000 mark, Skoda slips the Edition X under the UK's "luxury car tax" radar. In plain terms, UK buyers save not just on the sticker price but on yearly road tax too. Smart.

What You Get Inside

The starting point is the Skoda Kodiaq SE L — a mid-range trim that's already well-equipped. The Edition X adds a bunch of distinctive bits that give it a sportier look. Black 19-inch alloy wheels, black lacquered details on the D-pillars, an illuminated "dark chrome" grille: visually, it stands out from the more standard versions.

Inside, you get the 15-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Three-zone climate control, perforated leather seats, Matrix LED headlights, and tinted windows round out the spec. And since the Edition X is based on the SE L trim, seven seats come as standard — which isn't true for every Kodiaq configuration.

What Engine Does the Edition X Get?

Only one option on the menu: the 1.5 TSI with 48V mild-hybrid assist, making 148 hp, paired with a 7-speed DSG and front-wheel drive. No 4x4 available on this trim, and Skoda hasn't planned to offer the plug-in hybrid — the one that gives over 60 miles of electric range on other versions of the range.

That's the one real downside. For a family that racks up the miles, the PHEV with its 204 hp would have been a tempting option. Here, you take the mild-hybrid or you walk. The 48V mild-hybrid is decent enough on the road — it helps with pickup, cuts consumption in town — but it's still a conventional petrol engine in everyday use.

When Will It Hit Showrooms?

According to Auto Express, the Edition X will land at dealers late spring 2026. No exact date yet, but we're talking a tight timeframe. The starting price is £39,995, or £40,590 OTR (on the road, including registration fees).

For now, this version is announced for the UK market. No official confirmation of a French version with euro pricing. If Skoda replicates the same commercial logic on other European markets, you'll want to keep an eye on announcements in the coming months.

How Does It Stack Up Against the Rest of the Range?

On paper, the Edition X clearly beats the standard SE L on value for money. Roughly £2,000 less for the same or better equipment, plus the UK tax advantage — the case is clear. Against a VW Tiguan or a Peugeot 5008 seven-seater, the proposition stays competitive in this segment of large family SUVs.

In Germany, discounts on regular Kodiaqs are hitting highs via platforms like Carwow — up to 8,756 euros off the PHEV (from a list price of 49,230 euros) and 7,978 euros off the diesel 4x4. The Edition X isn't in that game yet, but if discounts follow the same pattern, that's going to be interesting.