Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 TSI iV (PHEV)

May 4, 2026

The "Racing Dad" Perspective: School Runs vs. Paddock Life

In the UK, the "Tow Car" crown has long been the property of the 2.0-litre diesel. But with the 2024/25 second-generation Skoda Kodiaq, the conversation is shifting. I’ve lived with the 1.5 TSI iV Plug-in Hybrid to see if it can handle the Monday-to-Friday school run and the Saturday-Sunday race trailer trek.

1. The Numbers: Can a 1.5-Litre Engine Actually Pull?

Let's address the elephant in the room immediately. We are talking about a 1.5-litre petrol engine. In the world of motorsport, where we often live by the mantra "there's no substitute for cubic inches," the idea of a small-displacement four-cylinder pulling a 2-tonne SUV and a race trailer sounds like a recipe for a melted head gasket.

However, the "iV" badge changes the math. This isn't just a 1.5 TSI; it’s a sophisticated hybrid system paired with a 25.7kWh battery. Together, the internal combustion engine and the electric motor produce a combined 204bhp and a healthy 250Nm of torque from the engine, supplemented significantly by the electric motor's instant torque.

Braked Towing Capacity: 1,800kg
Kerbweight: ~1,842kg (The PHEV is actually heavier than the diesel due to the battery pack, which, counter-intuitively, is a benefit for towing stability as it improves the weight ratio between the car and the trailer).
Noseweight Limit: 80kg (This is the "standard" limit, but as any racing dad knows, you'll need to be precise with your tie-down points to ensure your car is balanced perfectly over the trailer axles).

The Verdict on Capacity: If you are towing a lightweight Caterham, a Formula Vee, a Ginetta G40, or a compact hatch like a Civic on a lightweight aluminium trailer (combined weight approx 1,400–1,600kg), you are in the "sweet spot." You have a safety margin, and the car feels comfortable.

However, if you’re trying to tow a 1,700kg BMW M3 or a heavy GT car on a heavy steel Brian James Twin-Axle trailer, you’ll be pushing right up against that legal 1,800kg limit. In that scenario, you aren't just testing the engine; you're testing the suspension and the braking heat dissipation. For those heavy-duty "Track Day Bro" loads, the 2.0 TDI 193 4x4 with its 2,400kg capacity remains the logical choice.

2. The Towing Experience: Electric Grunt meets Petrol Range

The Kodiaq PHEV is surprisingly composed on the road. Because the heavy battery is tucked low under the floor, the centre of gravity is actually superior to the standard petrol or diesel versions. This results in less "pitch and roll" when you’re navigating the B-roads leading to circuits like Cadwell Park or Llandow.

Low-Speed Torque (The Electric Hero): This is where the PHEV shines. Pulling a trailer out of a muddy, grassy paddock at 7:00 AM is usually a recipe for wheelspin and clutch-smell in a manual petrol car. In the iV, the electric motor provides instant, silent torque. Creeping the trailer into a tight scrutineering bay or performing a hill-start on a 1-in-6 gradient is effortless. There’s no jerky clutch take-up; it just moves.
The Transmission: The 6-speed DSG (specifically designed for the hybrid) handles the transition between power sources well. However, there is a caveat: when the battery is depleted and you’re asking that 1.5 engine to pull a trailer up a long motorway incline (like the climb up to Shap on the M6), the gearbox can feel a bit "busy" as it hunts for the right gear to maintain momentum.
Stability & Braking: Even in crosswinds on the M1, the Kodiaq’s mass keeps the trailer from "wagging the dog." The regenerative braking is also a hidden gem for towers; as you lift off or lightly brake on a downhill section, the car uses the trailer's momentum to put a bit of juice back into the battery while providing a smoother deceleration than traditional friction brakes alone.

3. The "Dad Car" Credentials: More Than Just a Tow Tug

This is where the Kodiaq destroys almost every other SUV in its price bracket. Most PHEVs suffer from "Battery Bloat"—where the batteries take up so much room that the boot becomes useless.

The Boot: Even with the hybrid hardware, you still get 745 litres of space. For a racing weekend, that is a game-changer. That’s enough room for a spare set of wet-weather tyres, a trolley jack, a massive half-inch drive toolkit, a gazebo, and—crucially—the kids' football gear or a double buggy.
The Rear Seats: Legroom is cavernous. You can have a 6ft driver and a 6ft passenger sitting behind them in total comfort. If you have younger kids, the ISOFIX points are easy to access, and even with a bulky Recaro or Britax child seat, your ten-year-old won't be able to reach the back of your chair to kick it during a three-hour stint to Silverstone.
Simply Clever Touches: It sounds like marketing fluff until you actually use them. The built-in umbrella in the door is a godsend when the heavens open during a driver's briefing. The "Smart Dials"—physical rotary knobs with integrated screens—are a triumph. You can adjust the climate or seat heating without diving through three layers of touchscreen menus while trying to navigate a narrow lane with a trailer in tow.

4. Running Costs: The PHEV Financial Logic

The real reason you buy this over the diesel is the 75-mile electric-only range (WLTP).

The Weekly Grind: If your daily commute or the school run is under 60 miles, you will basically never use a drop of petrol from Monday to Friday. You charge it overnight on a home wallbox, and it’s ready to go. For company car drivers, the low CO2 emissions mean the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax savings are massive—potentially saving you thousands of pounds a year compared to a traditional diesel.
The Towing Hit: We have to be honest here—towing a boxy trailer is a literal drag. Expect the MPG to drop significantly once the battery assist is exhausted. On a long run to Oulton Park with a 1.5-tonne load, you’re looking at 25-30mpg.
Charging on the Road: The 2024 Kodiaq iV now supports 50kW DC fast charging. This is huge. It means you can stop at a motorway service station for a 20-minute coffee and a leg-stretch, and add enough charge to assist you for the final leg of your journey to the track.

5. Technical Deep Dive: The Chassis and Tech

Skoda has equipped the new Kodiaq with optional DCC Pro (Dynamic Chassis Control). This system uses two-valve dampers to independently control compression and rebound. When you aren't towing, you can set the car to "Comfort" and it glides over UK potholes like a luxury limo. When the trailer is hitched, switching to "Sport" or "Normal" firms up the rear end, significantly reducing the "bobbing" sensation that often happens when a trailer hits a bump at 60mph.

The infotainment is a 13-inch unit that is crisp and responsive. More importantly for towers, the Trailer Assist tech takes the stress out of reversing. You use the mirror adjustment joystick to "steer" the trailer on the screen, and the car handles the steering wheel inputs to get you into that tight paddock space perfectly.

Summary: Should You Make the Switch?

Buy it if: * You tow a lightweight race car (Caterham, Mazda MX-5, Formula Ford).

Your daily driving is mostly local/urban/suburban.
You are a company car driver looking to slash your tax bill.
You value a "Family Office" that is arguably the most sensible, well-thought-out interior on sale today.

Avoid it if: * You tow right at the 1,800kg limit every single weekend.

You frequently travel 300+ miles to tracks in the Scottish Highlands or South Wales without the ability to charge.
In those specific high-mileage/high-load cases, the 2.0 TDI 193 4x4 remains the undisputed king of the paddock for its 2,400kg capacity and relentless highway cruising.

Final Score:

Family Utility: 10/10
Towing Ability: 7/10 (Great tech, but capacity is the ceiling)
Tech & Comfort: 9/10
Running Costs (Daily): 10/10

🏁 Community Pit Wall: What’s Your Setup?

We want to hear from the "Racing Dads" (and Mums!) out there. The shift toward hybrids is inevitable, but is it ready for the paddock?

What are you towing? Are you a lightweight Caterham owner or a "heavy metal" GT racer?
The Diesel vs. Hybrid Debate: Would you trade the 2.4-tonne towing capacity of the TDI for the 5% BiK tax bracket of the iV?
Paddock Charging: Have you ever seen a charging point at a UK circuit? (We’re looking at you, Silverstone and Brands Hatch—it's time to level up!)

Drop a comment below with your towing rig and let’s discuss if the 1.5 TSI iV is a bold step forward or a compromise too far.