Cruise north with Casarah Cooper and her family as they escape to Mangawhai in the new Škoda Kodiaq.
Cruise north with Casarah Cooper and her family as they escape to Mangawhai in the new Škoda Kodiaq.
The sun was peeking through the clouds as Casarah and Jason loaded up the Kodiaq for their family’s weekend roadie. Between towels, chilly bins, beach toys, and a few emergency snacks, the seven seats gave everyone (and everything) a perfect place to fit. Even their Dalmatian, Gus, had his own spacious spot in the boot, stretching out contentedly as if he knew the beach was waiting.
Once they were on the road, the seat heaters quickly became Casarah and Jason’s favourite feature. It was a welcome touch of warmth on a crisp spring morning. Up front, the modern central display made navigation effortless toward their go-to spot, Bennet’s Chocolate Factory, and Jason couldn’t help but comment on how intuitive it all felt.
The kids, Taluah, Dixie, and Nash, were equally happy in the back. With the device holders stored neatly behind the front seats, there were no squabbles over screens. And thanks to the clever rubbish bins in the doors, even half-eaten snacks didn’t end up on the floor. And they needn’t worry about the overcast skies with a sneaky umbrella tucked away in the door compartment.
After a picturesque 45-minute drive past rolling farmland and coastal glimpses, the family arrived in Mangawhai just in time for a visit to Bennetts Chocolate Factory. The sweet smell of cocoa filled the air as they sampled treats and watched the chocolatiers at work, Taluah declaring the strawberry truffles the “best thing ever.” While the kids debated which of their chocolates were the smoothest, Casarah and Jason preferred the smoother drive of the Kodiaq.
From there, they made their way to the Mangawhai Beach, the folded-down third row seats creating plenty of space for sandy towels, picnic baskets, and Gus’s lead. The kids ran along the dunes while Gus chased waves, and Jason unpacked a late lunch from the boot with ease. With the sea breeze and laughter surrounding them, it was one of those simple family moments that felt a little bit perfect.
As the sun dipped lower, they headed to their Airbnb for the night. Casarah used the Kodiaq’s large screen to easily find the address, and soon they were parked up and unpacking without fuss thanks to the automatic and ever-spacious boot. Gus claimed a spot by the couch while the kids tumbled inside to choose their beds.
Later, as Jason made hot chocolates and the kids recounted their favourite moments from the day, Casarah reflected on how effortless the trip had been. The Kodiaq had handled everything - from fitting their busy family and dog, to keeping the ride calm, warm, and wonderfully comfortable. For Casarah, it truly was the ultimate family car.
By the time morning rolled around, they were already planning their next family adventure. And Gus? He was waiting patiently by the car, tail wagging and ready for round two.