The Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech firm’s first foray into large SUV territory but it certainly doesn’t feel like it.

First impressions are promising and that’s in no small part thanks to its similarities to the firm’s big saloon, the Superb.

The overall styling is angular, with strong lines and bold creases giving the Kodiaq a confident, eye-catching presence.

It’s at the front the Superb’s influence is most obvious. The dual headlight assembly has been designed to resemble Czech crystals.

The broad grille, clamshell bonnet and high waistline give the car gravitas and it could happily wear a VW or Audi badge without raising any eyebrows.

The rear end wears Skoda’s now trademark horizontal crease bisecting the boot while the trapezoidal lights bear more than a passing resemblance to those found on the Superb.

The Kodiaq is available in S, SE, SE Technology and SE L trims. There is also a more off-road biased Scout and a sportier, er, Sportline version.

The S trim is available with five seats, a 1.4TSI 125PS petrol engine and six-speed manual. The SE is available with the same 1.4-litre petrol but in two states of tune – 125 or 150PS – or with a 2.0-liotre TDI with 150PS. Unlike the S, the SE can be specified with four-wheel-drive, the DSG twin-clutch transmission and seven seats.

The 2.0 TDI diesel is the only engine available with SE Technology trim, but you can add the DSG box, an extra row of seats and 4x4 transmission. My test car arrived in SE L spec. You get seven seats as standard, a choice of either the 1.4 TSI 150PS, or the 2.0 TDI with 150PS or 190PS power outputs, the latter with the seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard.

Equipment levels on the SEL are generous, with 19in alloy wheels, LED front, rear and running lights, light and rain sensors, rear parking sensors, cruise control, dual zone air con, sat nav with a 9.2in touchscreen, DAB, Smartlink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and heated front seats, among other delights, as standard.

As is the norm with modern Skodas, build quality is excellent, with solid, tactile plastics and flock-lined door bins and a smattering of soft-touch materials offering up a premium experience to put many of its rivals at this price and a few beyond.

There are wood-effect inlays that you will either love or loathe, but they’re realistic enough to not fall into the tacky category.

The centre console is nice and robust, and the touchscreen bright, crisp, clear and responsive. On that score alone, it’s as good as anything I’ve experienced in any car at any price point.

Ergonomically everything is just about spot on, as is the driving position. Visibility is excellent too.

Passenger space – another area where Skodas have excelled – is generous. There is plenty of room to carry four adult passengers in comfort, and even adding a fifth won’t feel like too much of a squeeze.

The third row of seats is really only suitable for younger, more nimble, occupants. Not only will adults find them a little cramped, climbing in and out will present its own problems.

There’s ample storage – a centre console bin, phone storage, cupholders, door bins and two gloveboxes – and that’s just in the front. Rear passengers have clever tray tables with built-in cupholders and lights.

There are some delightful touches. The SE L has a powered tailgate, umbrellas in the front doors, an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap and handy underfloor storage in the boot.

With just a 1.4-litre 150PS engine under the bonnet it would be no surprise to find performance on the sluggish side but it punches well about its, or the Kodiaq’s, weight.

With 250Nm of torque at your disposal the engine displays an eagerness and flexibility that belies its size. Where it really does excel is its refinement. At idle the engine is inaudible and, even when pushed hard it remains unobtrusive.

Big Skodas – and by that I mean the Superb – has a well-earned reputation for its magnificently isolating ride and, while the Kodiaq doesn’t quite match it for comfort it doesn’t fall too far short. It’s well controlled but sharp bumps can permeate the cabin and around town the suspension can feel a little firm.

The steering is light and direct, and if you select Sport mode you’ll find it’s delightfully accurate, and the ride nicely balanced. The high centre of gravity means that you won’t be attacking tight corners with any great speed, but the Kodiaq remains composed and predictable, even when you do up the pace a little.

The Kodiaq is a superb – pun intended – first stab at a full-size SUV for the Czech firm. The passenger space is well-though out, well-built and equipment levels are generous. There are some choices – the faux wood veneers for example – that might be a little divisive but, overall, the cabin is an ergonomic oasis of calm and tranquillity, even on the move.

There remains room for improvement. The ride, for example, isn’t quite a match for the best that Skoda offers, let alone the very best in class, but that’s offset by the surprisingly entertaining handling.

Skoda Kodiaq SEL 1.4 TSI 150PS DSG

Price: £29,575

As tested: £30,860

Engine: 1.4-litre petrol

Transmission: Six-speed DSG

Max Power: 150PS

Max torque: 250Nm @ 1,500–3,500rpm

Max speed: 122mph

Combined: 44.8mpg

Emissions (CO2): 143g/km

For more information visit www.skoda.co.uk