Nowadays, people's demand for SUVs is undoubtedly getting higher and higher, which is understandable, after all, the family population is gradually increasing, and SUVs with more space are obviously more practical than sedans, especially the trunk space, which is incomparable to sedans. Of course, SUVs are also divided into levels, and the current mainstream models are still compact SUVs, with enough space and a relatively generous price, and ordinary families can afford it. But if you want a more comfortable experience, a medium-sized SUV is undoubtedly the first choice, this issue will talk about the "underestimated" joint venture medium-sized SUV, 2.0T with 9AT, strong power and kindness, but unfortunately no one understands, I hope it will be helpful to friends who are choosing a car.
The first model to talk about is Chevrolet's Explorer.
The Explorer is a typical "applauded or not" model, which is said to be good but the sales are very dismal. The cumulative sales in the past year are only 11,563 units, which is the monthly sales of other models in the same class, and only 605 units were sold last month, which is really a pity. But in terms of cost performance, the explorer is even higher than domestic models of the same level, with a starting price of 184,900 for the 2023 model, a terminal discount of about 65,000, and an actual starting price of only about 120,000. The recommended model is the 2023 mild hybrid 2.0T RS intelligent extension version, with a guide price of 219,900 yuan, and the actual reference price after the discount is only more than 150,000 yuan.
The appearance of the Explorer is divided into the normal version and the RS version, and the appearance of the ordinary version is relatively average, and it doesn't look classy. But the RS version is different, especially the black model, which is like a "black samurai", which looks very domineering. The front of the car is blackened, the logo is also black, and the rear of the car has four exhausts on both sides, which improves the momentum of the whole vehicle. However, in terms of size, the explorer has no advantage, the length of the car is only 4646mm, and the wheelbase is 2725mm, which is about the same as the domestic compact SUV, and the space is the same. There is no pressure on the rear row to be fully loaded, and the floor is flat, so the comfort of the middle passenger is also guaranteed.
Coming to the car, the interior of the Explorer is undoubtedly the most complained about, and Chevrolet is also indifferent and has no idea of changing. To be honest, this set of interiors is indeed a bit old-fashioned, with no sense of design, a symmetrical layout with a 10-inch central control screen, and an LCD instrument with a size of only 4.2 inches, which is really not interesting to drive. Moreover, although the new car is equipped with active noise cancellation, there is no multi-layer soundproof glass, and the sound insulation level can only be said to be decent, which is still a certain gap compared with traditional American cars.
Of course, the advantage of the Explorer lies in three parts. It is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine codenamed LXH with variable cylinder technology, producing 237 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The gearbox is matched with the well-known 9AT, which is also used in Buick models, as well as a 48V mild hybrid system, and the high-end configuration is also equipped with a four-wheel drive system. The 000 acceleration time is 7.9 seconds, which is not very fast but adequate. As for fuel consumption, the average measured by the owner is about 9.4 liters per 100 kilometers, which is not very high, and it is completely acceptable for home use.
The next model to talk about is relatively unpopular, and that is Skoda's Kodiak.
Skoda is a sub-brand of Volkswagen, but the sales of the two are very different, and the monthly sales of the entire Skoda brand in China are only about 1,000 units, which is very bleak. And the same is true for the Kodiak, which is the flagship SUV, with a cumulative sales of 3,180 units in the past year, and only 125 units sold last month, which is almost forgotten. However, the strength of Kodiak should not be underestimated, the guide price of 191900-243900 is about the same as that of Tiguan L, and the recommended model 2024 TSI330 5-seater two-wheel drive luxury version, the guide price is 204,900, and the actual reference price is less than 170,000.
From the point of view of appearance, Kodiak is indeed more general, and the overall design looks a little old-fashioned, after all, it is the era of young people, and such a design is indeed a little out of hand. And Skoda doesn't seem to have any idea of changing, even with the latest 2024 model, which feels like a broken jar. As a mid-size SUV, the length of 4701mm is not much advantage, but fortunately, the width of the car reaches 1883mm, and the wheelbase is 2791mm. Therefore, the space of the 5-seater model is still enough, but it is a pity that the rear platform is the same as the Volkswagen model, the bulge is relatively large, and the middle passenger is more aggrieved when it is fully loaded.
Similar to the appearance, the interior design of the Kodiak is not much to see, the symmetrical center console is equipped with a 12-inch floating screen, to be honest, this design is still a bit outdated, especially compared with domestic production, it feels very plain. But fortunately, the configuration is still in place, like 10.25-inch full LCD instrument, front seat heating, electric adjustment of the main and co-pilot's seats, 10-color ambient lighting, four-way lumbar support for the main and co-pilot's seats, panoramic sunroof, electric and induction trunk, full-speed adaptive cruise, etc., almost all of the commonly used configurations are not absent, very kind. Especially compared with the Tiguan L at the same price, the configuration of the Kodiak is undoubtedly superior, and if you don't care much about the brand, it is obviously more cost-effective.
In terms of power, the whole system is equipped with a Volkswagen EA888 engine, which is divided into high and low power tuning. Among them, the low-power version has a maximum horsepower of 186 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm, and the high-power version has a maximum horsepower of 220 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, and the gearbox is mated to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. These two sets of power are familiar to everyone, the low-power model breaks 100 seconds in 8.8 seconds, and the high-power version breaks 100 in only 7.5 seconds, although it is not very strong, but it is enough. In terms of fuel consumption, low-power models are basically about 8.5 liters per 100 kilometers, while high-power models are slightly higher, about 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which is basically acceptable. So what do you think about the Explorers and Kodiak?