Equipped for any terrain: Over 1.25 million Škoda 4×4 models delivered since 1999

› Comprehensive 4×4 range includes six model series, four model variants and three engine concepts
› All-wheel-drive expertise since 1999: the Octavia Combi – Škoda’s first modern 4×4 production model
› Škoda Kodiaq 4×4: Škoda’s best-selling all-wheel-drive model of 2022

Mladá Boleslav, 17 January 2023 – Škoda Auto carried out its first tests involving 4×4 vehicles as early as the 1940s, and models with all-wheel drive have been an integral part of the Czech carmaker’s product portfolio since 1999. Following the first-generation Škoda Octavia 4×4, Škoda has rolled out numerous other all‑wheel‑drive models. There are currently six model series on offer, including the Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV all electric SUVs, as well as the Octavia and Superb saloon and estate models alongside the Karoq and Kodiaq SUVs. Demand for Škoda’s 4×4 models remains high; the company produced 106,118 four-wheel-drive vehicles in 2022.

“Interest in our 4×4 models has grown steadily since the launch of the first Octavia Combi 4×4 in 1999. A key driver of this development is the strong global demand for models in the SUV segment. Our broad 4×4 portfolio appeals to people with a passion for seeking new experiences and a desire to discover something new every day. We call them 'contemporary explorers'. For more than 20 years, our all-wheel-drive models have been offering optimal traction on any surface, allowing people to leave the beaten track and do just that – explore more.”

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing

The Škoda Octavia and Superb are available with 4×4 drive in both saloon and estate versions and with petrol or diesel engines; the outputs range from 110 kW (150 hp) to 206 kW (280 hp). The four-wheel drive versions of both the Karoq and Kodiaq SUV series transmit 110 kW (150 hp) to 180 kW (245 hp) to all four wheels and are available with either diesel or petrol engines. All Škoda’s all-wheel-drive ICE vehicles are equipped with a 7-speed DSG transmission. Rounding off the brand’s 4×4 portfolio, the 80x (195 kW) and RS (220 kW*) versions of the all-electric Enyaq iV family each feature two electric motors.

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Škoda’s modern 4×4 drives ensure optimal traction at all times, not only in wintry weather, on snow or icy roads. Linked directly to the driver assistance systems, they respond to changes in road conditions within milliseconds. As a result, they increase the safety of all passengers as well as other road users and make driving more enjoyable even on dry roads. In combination with intelligent driver assistance systems, having four driven wheels allows for increased stability and thus more dynamic cornering. In addition, all-wheel drive also offers major advantages when it comes to towing a trailer – up to 2,500 kilograms with the Škoda Kodiaq, for example.

Škoda built its first 4×4 models back in the early 1940s. The Superb OHV with a three-litre displacement served as the basis for the military vehicle Superb 3000 – Kfz 15, and a four wheel drive version was also tested under the type designation 956. In the 1960s, the Mladá Boleslav car plant stopped developing off-road vehicles for the military, turning its attention to agriculture. Type 998, called Agromobil, and later Type 990 were developed in the early 1960s in collaboration with ČZ Strakonice. Two of probably 13 prototypes built still exist today, one of which is part of the Škoda Museum’s collection. While revising the Škoda 1203 utility vehicle, the Mladá Boleslav team also considered developing a commercial version of the model with all-wheel drive (Type 779, 1970), although this never went into production.

In 1999, Škoda presented the first-generation Octavia Combi, its first modern 4×4 production model. All the engines for this model had a manual transmission, with a multi plate clutch also transmitting a proportion of the power to the rear axle. The Octavia 4×4 proved a major hit for Škoda at the time, partly because models with all‑wheel drive were a speciality in this vehicle and price category at the turn of the millennium. Škoda continued to expand its 4×4 range over the following years. Besides subsequent generations of the Octavia, the Superb, the Yeti, as well as the Kodiaq and Karoq, were also launched as all wheel-drive models. Entering the age of electric mobility, the Škoda Enyaq iV and the Enyaq Coupé iV have brought 4×4 drive to the road as the 80x and RS variants with two electric motors. Since 1999, the car manufacturer has delivered over 1.25 million all-wheel drive vehicles to customers, with the Octavia accounting for around 410,000 units. This makes the brand’s bestseller also the most frequently delivered Škoda all-wheel drive model overall. The Octavia 4×4 is a six-time winner of the “All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year” award from German magazine Auto Bild Allrad. In 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021, it won the best import car title in the category “All-wheel drive passenger cars under 40,000 euros” and in 2020 it achieved a double victory by also becoming the overall winner in its category.

● the history of Škoda’s modern 4×4 models began in 1999 with the Škoda Octavia Combi 4×4?
● 14,463 Škoda Octavia 4×4s were produced in 2022?
● six Škoda series currently include all-wheel-drive models?
● the Enyaq iV, Octavia and Superb celebrated success as import winners in the ‘All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year’ readers’ poll organised by the German trade magazine ‘Auto Bild Allrad’ in 2021?
● Iceland is currently the largest market for Škoda’s 4×4 vehicles in terms of share?
● Germany is currently the largest market for Škoda’s 4×4 vehicles in terms of volume?
● the best-selling 4×4 vehicle in Škoda’s portfolio today is the Škoda Kodiaq? 45,170 units of the SUV with all-wheel drive were produced in 2022.
● the Škoda Kodiaq 4×4 can tow up to 2,500 kilograms?

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● Škoda Octavia 4×4
● Škoda Octavia Combi 4×4
● Škoda Octavia Sportline 4×4
● Škoda Octavia Combi Sportline 4×4
● Škoda Octavia Scout 4×4
● Škoda Octavia RS 4×4
● Škoda Octavia Combi RS 4×4
● Škoda Karoq 4×4
● Škoda Karoq Sportline 4×4
● Škoda Kodiaq 4×4
● Škoda Kodiaq Sportline 4×4
● Škoda Kodiaq RS 4×4
● Škoda Superb 4×4
● Škoda Superb Combi 4×4
● Škoda Superb Sportline 4×4
● Škoda Superb Combi Sportline 4×4
● Škoda Superb Scout 4×4
● Škoda Enyaq iV 80x
● Škoda Enyaq RS iV
● Škoda Enyaq Coupé iV 80x
● Škoda Enyaq Coupé RS iV

* Maximum electrical power 220 kW: Maximum power determined in accordance with UN-GTR.21 that can be engaged for a maximum of 30 seconds. The power available in individual driving situations depends on various factors, including the temperature outdoors, the temperature of the high-voltage battery, and its charging status, condition and physical ageing. The maximum power is only available if the temperature of the high-voltage battery is between 23 and 50°C and its charge level exceeds 88%. If these parameters are not met, the maximum power may be reduced or unavailable. The battery temperature can to a certain degree be influenced indirectly via the stationary air conditioning function, and the charge level can be set in the vehicle. The currently available power is shown on the vehicle’s driving performance screen. To optimally maintain the capacity of the high-voltage battery, a charging target of 80% is recommended for everyday use (this can be changed to 100% before long-distance journeys, for example).