Skoda Kodiaq Laurin & Klement Debuts with 272 HP Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain

Skoda has expanded its Kodiaq SUV lineup with the new Laurin & Klement trim and a high-output plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers 272 horsepower and over 100 kilometers of electric range, according to reports from coches.net.

The new turn

The Czech automaker introduced the Laurin & Klement variant on October 23, 2026, marking a decade since the model’s initial launch. Autonocion.com noted that the vehicle arrives while parent company Volkswagen announces cost cuts and streamlined lineups, placing Skoda on a divergent path with a more expensive and comprehensive family SUV offering. Europa Press reported that the plug-in hybrid variant provides a total power output of 200 kW, representing a 50 kW increase over the previous system. The name of the new trim is historic in the brand from Mladá Boleslav, having already been available on other Skoda models.

Why it matters now

Autonocion.com reported that the plug-in hybrid delivers more than 100 kilometers of electric range in a seven-seat family SUV, a threshold previously associated primarily with German premium brands. Motor.es added that the mechanical setup pairs a 174-horsepower 1.5-liter TSI gasoline engine with a 115-horsepower electric motor integrated into a six-speed DSG automatic transmission. The system utilizes a gross battery capacity of 25.7 kWh—with 19.7 kWh net usable—and supports direct current fast charging at up to 50 kW, as detailed by Europa Press and Motor.es. The Laurin & Klement trim adds standard LED matrix headlights alongside specific design features such as silver roof rails, front and rear bumpers, body-colored side skirts, and model-specific alloy wheels, including 19-inch Lefka wheels and two additional 20-inch options offered as extras. Inside, the spacious 4.75-meter-long, 1.86-meter-wide, and 1.67-meter-high cabin features massage-function AGR seats combined with Suite and Suite Cognac leather upholstery, exclusive floor mats, aluminum pedals, and dedicated badging.

The earlier moments

The Kodiaq lineage dates back to September 2016, when Skoda unveiled the first generation in Berlin, as recounted by Motor.es. Europa Press stated that the vehicle has since attracted 1.2 million customers across 70 global markets. The second-generation Kodiaq debuted on October 4, 2023, with series production commencing at the Kvasiny plant in mid-January 2024, according to Europa Press. Motor.es noted that by 2025, the model ranked as the second best-selling vehicle across Skoda’s entire lineup. In Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic—Skoda’s home market—the vehicle ranks among the top sellers in its segment.

What comes next

Skoda has not yet disclosed official pricing or a specific release date for the Laurin & Klement variant, though Motor.es reported that commercialization is expected to begin before 2027, with deliveries anticipated to stretch into early next year. Autonocion.com observed that the missing price tag will ultimately determine whether the flagship SUV serves as an accessible luxury option or a direct competitor to Volkswagen Group stablemates in the segment.