Winner: Skoda Kodiaq
Just days before the 2023 AA awards ceremony, Skoda revealed an all-new, second-generation Kodiaq SUV, which our jurors have yet to drive, obviously. You wouldn’t bet against it retaining the outgoing car’s two-year reign at the top of the Large Crossover class, would you?
For the record, the old model is still worth seeking out as it offers masses of space, up to seven seats, lots of equipment and a sense of high quality. This feels like a premium product, but given the room on board, it’s priced reasonably. One of the few limitations of the about-to-be-replaced model is the lack of any hybrid option. Still, many buyers continue to choose diesel power, so it’s hardly what you’d call out of date. It’s a deserved winner of this category.
Runners Up
Nissan X-Trail
The Nissan X-Trail has been reinvented for its fourth iteration and it stands proudly apart from the Qashqai in the line-up now, offering family buyers a high-quality, spacious, seven-seat layout in the environs of a chunky SUV. Nonetheless, it drives like a car, and the e-Power hybrid system is worth getting to grips with. Diesel-lovers may not approve, however.
Kia Sorento
If there was one car that symbolises how far Kia has come in the past few year, then it is the Kia Sorento, which has transformed from a quite agricultural vehicle to something that can sit alongside a BMW or Audi in terms of quality. Obviously, that doesn’t come cheap, with prices from €56,500, though that does get you the decent plug-in hybrid model with all-wheel drive.
