THE seven seat Skoda Kodiaq SUV has been given its world premiere in front of a VIP audience in Berlin.

Measuring 4.7 metres long the new Kodiaq is almost as big as a Range Rover but costs a third of the price.

It is Skoda's first large SUV and in every way a game changer for the Czech brand.

Not only is the Kodiaq the first Skoda to come with three rows of seats it also marks a move upmarket in terms of refinement.

With the dashboard centred on a wide-view glass touchscreen surrounded by high quality trim the whole interior sets a new standard.

In five seat format the Kodiaq comes with an immense boot capable of taking 720 litres of luggage stretching to van-like proportions of 2,065 litres.

For families the Kodiaq delivers plenty and rear seat space is equally plentiful although the third row is realistically children only.

The Kodiaq is named after the breed of bears which inhabit the Kodiak islands off the coast of Alaska and is the latest in Skoda's line up to feature what the company calls ‘simply clever' features.

There are door edge protectors which flip out on opening to prevent scrapes, electric child safety locks, an ice scraper housed in the fuel filler cap and an umbrella stowed in the front door armrest.

Automatic emergency braking is standard on all models and there's also full onboard connectivity with Internet and app-based information streams.

The Kodiaq will be priced from around £23,500 and the first models are slated for delivery next spring.

Initially there will be a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines ranging in size from 1.4 to 2.0-litres and optimum fuel economy of around 56.5mpg with emissions of 131g/km.

Two and four-wheel-drive variants will be available and the Kodiaq has a towing limit of 2.5 tonnes.

Surround view cameras, a powered tailgate and a towing assist function which aids steering when manoeuvring can be fitted and were among the features highlighted at the Kraftwerk centre in the heart of the German capital during the worldwide reveal.

Bernhard Maier, Skoda's chief executive, said: "The Kodiaq shows where Skoda stands today. It shows our engineering skills and proves we are moving ahead,"

The Kodiaq will have its public debut at the end of September at the Paris Motor Show and will go on sale in the new year.

Prices are likely to top out at around £30,000 for the top range versions which will include automatic transmissions.