Is the Kodiaq's transmission dry or wet?

[VanTessa]

Kodiaq uses a wet transmission. The automatic transmission features oil-immersed friction plate clutches, which require the design of a hydraulic coupling or torque converter to work in conjunction with the power flexible connection clutch, making it easy to operate and with a low failure rate. Below is a detailed introduction to the Kodiaq: 1. The Kodiaq is Skoda's first domestically produced mid-size SUV based on the MQB platform. This mid-size SUV made its debut at the 2016 Guangzhou International Auto Show and received widespread attention and praise upon its appearance. The arrival of the Kodiaq broke the awkward situation where Skoda only had one compact SUV, while also providing consumers with a broader range of choices. The performance of the Kodiaq's 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is still considered one of the best in its class, with almost no jerking during low-speed driving, effectively controlling the common issues of dual-clutch transmissions. The gear shifts are crisp and decisive, with upshifts being very proactive during daily driving, keeping the engine speed mostly below 2000 rpm, ensuring better fuel economy. 2. The Kodiaq is equipped with the DQ380 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission, which takes into account a large amount of actual Chinese road conditions, providing smooth and jerk-free gear shifts with excellent stability, and optimizes the efficiency of low-speed gear shifting; 7 forward gears with manual and automatic modes, comprehensively upgrading the dual-clutch transmission in terms of power, driving pleasure, and fuel economy. The rapid gear shifting and continuous power improve both power performance and fuel economy; the latest transmission adopts more advanced designs, capable of withstanding a maximum torque of up to 420N·m; the wet dual-clutch form, with continuous circulation of transmission oil, cools and lubricates the dual-clutch module, ensuring more stable performance.

[VanAshley]

My colleague just picked up a Kodiaq 330TSI last month and specifically researched this issue. Currently, the main models of the China VI version are equipped with a wet seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, model DQ381, the same as the old Tiguan L. The biggest advantage of this gearbox is its excellent heat dissipation. For someone like me who enjoys mountain driving, continuous downshifting and climbing won't trigger overheating alarms. However, the older 1.4T base model used a dry clutch, so be sure to check the tail badge when buying—approach 280TSI models with caution. The wet clutch has higher maintenance costs, with an oil change every 60,000 kilometers costing over 2,000 RMB, but it's much more durable, especially in traffic jams where the shuddering is noticeably lighter than with the dry clutch.

[JulietLee]

Last year when helping my cousin choose a car, we focused on comparing models. The Kodiaq series has now basically phased out dry dual-clutch transmissions, with all 2.0T engines paired with Volkswagen's third-generation DQ381 wet dual-clutch transmission. This design immerses the clutch plates in transmission fluid, improving heat dissipation efficiency by over 30% compared to dry systems - particularly suitable for SUVs frequently carrying heavy loads uphill. During the test drive, I specifically made repeated climbs on overpass ramps, and the transmission fluid temperature never triggered any warnings. However, be aware that some remaining stock might still have the older DQ380 units - the most reliable method is to check the transmission nameplate under the hood before purchasing.

[BrandonLynn]

Having run an auto repair shop for over a decade, I've disassembled numerous Kodiaq transmissions. All post-2018 2.0T models exclusively use wet dual-clutch systems, with oil pans noticeably larger than dry versions—during repairs, you can clearly see the friction plates submerged in transmission fluid. The biggest advantage of wet-clutch design is heat resistance; it won't overheat even when hauling full loads up mountain roads. Important note: early 1.8T versions used dry clutches, still common in used car markets. Here's a quick identification trick: pop the hood at startup—wet transmissions produce distinct oil pump whirring, while dry ones operate silently.