Straight-piped: Are the Kodiaq and Tiguan breaking new ground?

It's been quite a while since we've seen Skoda and Volkswagen shore up their top-tier models in India. But, as you will read elsewhere in this issue, they've done just that this past month with the new Kodiaq and Tiguan. As much as the chatter has been about the cars, their pricing seems to have gotten a large chunk of your attention.

With both the Tiguan and Kodiaq now nudging Rs 60 lakh on-road, they're much more expensive than the versions they replace. Now, while duties, global production plans, and many other factors may have gone into that price, it also seems to an extent that the brands too want these cars to double down on the halo that they have always created around the company. Unlike earlier, the intent behind each of these cars seems quite unique now. The Tiguan is being pitched as the more driver-focused alternative with the spec it carries. Conversely, the Kodiaq seems to have luxury and value in focus.

While no numbers have been stated, it's fair to assume that Skoda-VW India will be quite measured in the kits and units it imports of these cars, to manage stock and keep demand and supply in balance.

It also doesn't escape attention that the Kodiaq and Tiguan are now nudging the lowest-priced offerings from full-fat luxury brands. This could be a smart move, since the entry-luxury segment hasn't quite taken off in the way that the segments above it have. Buyers don't seem to want a compromised product at this price point. The Skoda-VW cars are substantial, relatively well-equipped, and focused in their audience, which is a trait that might appeal to shoppers in this price bracket.

This move also seems part of a larger trend to capitalize on this sparse space in the Indian automotive landscape, the one that makes you spend between Rs 50 to 70 lakh on-road. It's far less crowded than the spaces above and below it, and holds the potential of an evolved, young buyer well-versed with global trends. As the Kia Carnival has recently shown, they may be more receptive to a high-spec, quality product that doesn't necessarily fit the traditional Indian car buyer's needs of the high-value but frugally engineered car.

Finally, with the Kodiaq and Tiguan going through a full generation change, there seems to have been enough of a leap to make current owners of the Tiguan and Kodiaq look to make an upgrade within the brand, especially if they may be ready for an uncompromised luxury brand alternative that will set them back quite a bit more.

Now, it's still too early to see if any of this actually pans out, since the Indian buyer is still quite unforgiving of badly planned products. Take the example of the X-Trail. But Skoda-VW has been in this space for a while, with good results, so the cards seem to be in their favour.