Toyota Fortuner vs Škoda Kodiaq 2025 Face-Off: Off-Road Muscle Versus European Muscle Cream
Compare Toyota Fortuner vs Skoda Kodiaq 2025 on design, features, mileage, price, safety, and performance. Get the best premium SUV for Indian customers.
“Where brains meet brawn, the battle becomes legendary.”
Welcome to the ultimate 2025 SUV showdown — Toyota Fortuner vs Škoda Kodiaq, where a rugged, body-on-frame diesel behemoth meets head-on with a sophisticated, technology-equipped petrol chap. It’s like seeing a Highlander have lunch with James Bond. You know one’s going to kill a hill and the other’s going to own the city skyline.
So if you’re stuck between ruggedness and refinement, between a Sunday-brunch cruiser and a safari-ready chariot — this comparison will guide you. Let’s dive into this showdown of India’s premium SUV giants.
A Tale of Two Legends: A Brief History
Toyota Fortuner was spawned from the same DNA that brought us the Innova and the Land Cruiser — reliable, tough, and almost indestructible. It launched in India in 2009, and it’s dominated the ₹35L+ SUV space ever since. With the fresh Neo Drive mild-hybrid diesel and beefy GR-S variant, it’s more ravenous than ever for supremacy.
In the meantime, Škoda Kodiaq arrived in 2017 and shook up the segment by providing what few dared do — brains and luxury in an SUV disguise. Now the 2025 facelift makes the Kodiaq smarter, sharpe, even posher, placing it among the tech elite who still desire seven seats and five-star protection.
Design: Tall, Dark and Handsome vs Sleek, Sharp and Subtle
Toyota Fortuner – Dominance in Metal
One glance at the Fortuner and it says: “Get out of my way.” Dominant presence, high bonnet, squared wheel arches, 18/20-inch alloys, and that new GR-S face make it the alpha of Indian roads. Not pretty — just powerful, like a lifted samurai.
Škoda Kodiaq – Business-Class Boldness
Kodiaq isn’t trying to scare anyone. It’s charming, with sharp crystalline LED lights, a well-contoured hood, and clean Euro lines. It’s lower than the Fortuner, yes, but parks better, glides quieter, and carries a silent air of wealth. Like someone who owns five suits but only wears linen.
Interior and Features: Brickhouse Cabin vs Lounge on Wheels
Fortuner: Rugged but Minimal
Get inside the Fortuner and you are met with rugged plastics, leather upholstery, a floating screen, and Toyota’s standard arrangement. Functional and sturdy, not fancy. You have ventilated seats, an 11-speaker JBL setup, and 7 airbags — but the interface remains 2020. No ADAS. No sunroof. Built to function, not dazzle.
Kodiaq: Premium Tech Lounge
The Kodiaq’s interior, on the other hand, is a masterclass in quality. Plush leather, soft-touch everything, Virtual Cockpit, 12-speaker Canton audio, dynamic chassis control (DCC), heated/ventilated seats — it’s a gadget geek’s SUV fantasy. It’s also the SUV that makes your neighbors whisper, “Wow, this is nice.”
Performance: Diesel Torque vs Turbo Power
Toyota Fortuner
Engine: 2.8L diesel with 48V mild-hybrid
Power/Torque: 204 PS / 500 Nm
Gearbox: 6-speed auto
Mileage: ~12–14 km/l
Drivetrain: RWD / 4×4 low-range
Verdict: Pulls like a train, climbs like a goat, consumes diesel like a champion. Excellent for long tours, hills, towing.
Škoda Kodiaq
Engine: 2.0L TSI Petrol
Power/Torque: 190 PS / 320 Nm
Gearbox: 7-speed DSG
Mileage: ~8–11 km/l
Drivetrain: AWD
Verdict: Smooth, hungry, fast on highways — but do not even attempt to cross Ladakh in this. Excellent for expressways and city runs.
Safety: Muscle or Mind?
Fortuner: 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, hill-hold, traction control, reverse cam. Rugged but no ADAS. Still no 5-star NCAP.
Kodiaq: 9 airbags, TPMS, ESC, ISOFIX, and global NCAP 5-star rating. Future-proof with incoming ADAS suite.
Safety Winner: Kodiaq, particularly if you’re purchasing for family comfort and peace of mind.
Capabilities: The True Test of Purpose
Feature – Toyota Fortuner – Škoda Kodiaq
Ground Clearance – 221 mm – 192 mm
Off-road Hardware – 4×4 with low range – AWD only
Towing Ability – Excellent (3 tons+) – Moderate (~1.5 ton)
Urban Maneuverability – Heavy but tall view – Light & agile
Suspension Comfort – Firm – Plush (DCC magic)
If your travel is through river crossings, boulder tracks, and landslides — Fortuner is your solution. If it is through mall parking lots, daily office trips, and Goa roads — Kodiaq takes the cake easily.
Pricing and Availability (India – June 2025)
Variant – Toyota Fortuner – Škoda Kodiaq
Base – 35.37 lakh – 46.89 lakh
Top Variant – 51.94 lakh (GR-S) – 48.69 lakh (L&K)
Fuel Type – Diesel (Neo Drive) – Petrol (TSI only)
Waiting Period – 1–2 months (higher in Tier-2) – 3–5 weeks (limited CBU stock)
Pros and Cons: Which Side Are You On?
Toyota Fortuner
Pros:
Unmatched off-road capability
Reliable diesel powertrain
Excellent resale value
Road presence & brand image
Cons:
Basic interiors at the price
No ADAS or high-end technology
Bumpy ride in urban
Škoda Kodiaq
Pros:
Plush cabin, feature-loaded
Great ride quality with DCC
5-star safety rating
More urban-friendly
Cons:
Lower ground clearance
No diesel engine option
Pricier base variant
Last Verdict: Which One To Buy?
If your weekend is spent in mud, your weekday is spent in chaos, and you are an old-school believer in strength, then buy the Fortuner.
If you spend your life in comfort, drive around the city, and have a penchant for creature comforts with understated flair, then buy the Kodiaq.
One’s a brawler, the other a baller. You get to decide on the battlefield.
FAQ
Q: Which of these SUVs is more suitable for Indian roads – Toyota Fortuner or Skoda Kodiaq?
A: For rural roads and bad roads, Toyota Fortuner is superior. For city highways and comfort driving, Škoda Kodiaq is superior.
Q: Is Fortuner hybrid available in India?
A: Yes, the 2025 Fortuner comes with a 48V mild-hybrid diesel (Neo Drive) for better efficiency and smoother drive.
Q: Which is more efficient on fuel – Fortuner or Kodiaq?
A: Fortuner diesel mild-hybrid returns 12–14 km/l; Kodiaq petrol returns 8–11 km/l.
Q: Which is a suitable SUV for family use?
A: The Kodiaq has a smoother ride, improved tech, and more comfortable interiors for family use in city India.
Q: Is the Skoda Kodiaq ADAS-equipped in 2025?
A: Not yet available in India, but ADAS features will be available in future updates.
