If you have been waiting for a proper performance SUV that does not ask you to sacrifice the third row for your family, the wait is almost over. Skoda Kodiaq RS bookings are officially opening on June 22, 2026, and this could genuinely be one of the most exciting SUV launches India has seen in a long time.
Skoda Auto India has confirmed the booking date, and the launch is expected to follow very shortly after possibly within the same month. The car will come in as a Completely Built Unit (CBU), which already tells you this is not your everyday volume product. It is going to be exclusive, it is going to be fast, and if the Octavia RS story is anything to go by, it will probably sell out before most people even realise bookings are open.
Why the RS Badge Actually Means Something
The RS badg, which stands for Rally Sport is not just a sticker,Skoda puts on a car to charge more money. It has a real motorsport heritage within the brand, and Indian buyers have started to appreciate that. The Octavia RS, for instance, reportedly flew off the shelves shortly after bookings opened. That kind of response is exactly what makes the Kodiaq RS launch so significant this time, the RS DNA is coming in a seven-seater SUV body.
That combination of performance pedigree and family practicality is genuinely rare in the Indian market, and Skoda seems to know they have something special on their hands.
What Powers the Kodiaq RS
Under the hood sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 265 PS and 400 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system, so you get proper performance hardware, not just a badge upgrade over the standard car.
The numbers back it up too. Skoda claims a 0 to 100 km/h time of just 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 231 km/h. For a seven-seater SUV, those figures are genuinely impressive. Most three-row SUVs at this price point are built around comfort and space; the Kodiaq RS is built around all three space, comfort, and speed.
Design That Looks the Part
You will not confuse the Kodiaq RS with the standard Kodiaq when you see them side by side. The RS version gets a more aggressive front bumper, blacked-out exterior elements, larger alloy wheels, and RS badging that makes its performance intent clear from a distance.
Step inside, and the sporty theme continues. Expect RS-specific upholstery, contrast stitching, sports seats, and a well-loaded digital feature set. Despite the performance focus, Skoda has kept all three rows intact which means your family does not have to suffer just because you wanted something with a bit more fire under the bonnet.
Limited Units, So Act Fast
Here is the part that should push you to act quickly reports strongly suggest that the Kodiaq RS will be imported in limited numbers, much like the strategy Skoda used for the Octavia RS. A small initial batch means demand will almost certainly outstrip supply, and given how the RS community in India has grown, those units could go very fast.
Skoda Kodiaq RS bookings will be open through the official Skoda website and dealership network from June 22 onwards.
What Will It Cost?
Official pricing has not been announced yet, but industry estimates point to an ex-showroom price in the range of ₹60 lakh to ₹70 lakh. At that price, it will sit in a segment where it faces rivals like the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line and other premium three-row SUVs — but nothing else in that bracket quite offers the same mix of outright performance and seven-seat practicality that the Kodiaq RS does.
Should You Book One?
If you want a performance SUV that can comfortably carry your family, has real brand heritage behind it, and comes with a turbocharged engine that means business,yes, the Kodiaq RS is worth serious consideration. Given the limited unit count and the strong enthusiasm around RS-badged Skodas in India, waiting too long might mean missing out entirely.
Mark June 22 on your calendar. Skoda Kodiaq RS bookings open June 22 India, and if early signs are anything to go by, this one is not going to wait around for you.
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Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.