Skoda Reveals 3-Row SUV, Could Preview Volkswagen's Next Move

Skoda has officially revealed a new three-row SUV, the Kodiaq, and many are already speculating about how it might lead to a U.S. launch for the Czech brand, which is owned by Volkswagen.

The Kodiaq could also hint at another product that’s officially headed for the States, Volkswagen’s upcoming three-row SUV, which might be called the Teramont.

The two are intended as big steps for VW in the SUV market, both are offered with seven seats, and both are based on the MQB platform. Inside, the pictures of Kodiaq are also reminiscent of what has been spied in the Teramont.

ALSO SEE: Everything We Know About Volkswagen’s New 3-Row SUV

With that in mind, here’s what we know about the Kodiaq.

The Kodiaq is Skoda’s first big SUV at about 15 feet long, about 6 feet wide, and with a volume of more than 70 cubic feet, which puts it at the top of its class in Europe, but would make it small in North America. The second-row seats split 60/40 and are individually adjustable. The Skoda’s third-row seats, though, are an option.

The Kodiaq comes with a range of two TDI engines and three TSIs. None of the engines have more than four cylinders, which differentiates it from the Teramont (which will be offered with a V6).

When powered by the 2.0L TDI engine mated to a DSG gearbox sending power to all four wheels, the Kodiaq is good for 2.75 tons of towing capacity. It also has the option of a manual gearbox, which you can be pretty sure won’t be available on the Teramont when it arrives on our shores.

Inside, press pictures make the Kodiaq look reasonably luxurious, with dark wood-like trim pieces, an Orion stereo system, and an 8-inch infotainment screen.

While the two midsize SUVs look somewhat similar, the Kodiaq is actually small when compared to the Honda Pilot, which Volkswagen has said the Teramont will compete with. Although the Teramont may look a little like the Kodiaq, the evidence suggests that it will be bigger to compete in America.

As a result, the U.S.-Skoda teasing hasn’t stopped.

“If we do decide to compete in the U.S., we will have one chance to make a good first impression,” says Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier. “We feel that if we were there now, the Kodiaq would be a home-run car.”

This article originally appeared on VW Vortex