Skoda

Karoq

The all-new Skoda Karoq is a stylish five-door compact SUV that is big on space and big on character. It is available with a choice of powertrains and trim levels and all models are generously equipped with modern infotainment and connectivity systems.

The good

Styling, practicality, on-board technology and handling

The bad

Avoid over-sized tyres

Tech Specs

Price from

£20,875

Combined Fuel up to

64.2mpg

0-62 from

8.4 seconds

max speed up to

126mph

co2 from

117g/km

Test Drive

Skoda Karoq Edition 2.0 TDI 150PS 4×4 DSG

It’s a bold move replacing a multi-award-winning car but that’s the brave steps Skoda took when they introduced the all-new Karoq as the model to fill the space left by the Yeti.

And along with its larger sibling – the seven door Kodiaq – the Karoq is living up to the high expectations.

Whereas the chunky and very distinctive Yeti could be identified from a mile off, the Karoq is more traditional in its design but is still attractive enough to turn heads with design features such as full LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, a panoramic sunroof, chrome roof rails a black grille, lots of chrome trim and 19-inch alloy wheels to complete the look.

Step inside and you are greeted by a clutter-free cabin with a wealth of on-board technology to explore. There are plenty of soft touch surfaces along with striking chrome-effect trim on the dashboard and around the air vents, gearstick, doors and steering wheel. Creature comforts include heated leather front seats, a Columbus navigation system with 9.2-inch touchscreen with maps, SD card, voice control and integrated Wi-Fi along with gesture control. There is Smartlink+ to connect a smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a DAB radio and Bluetooth.

The elevated driving position means the driver has a clear view of the road and the all-round visibility is impressive. The cabin is bright with plenty of light flooding through the panoramic sunroof but if you want to shut out the sunshine an automatic blind is at your disposal.

A compact SUV needs to score highly on the practicality front and the Karoq does just that. There is ample room in the back of the car for two adults to sit comfortably – a third can be added if they don’t mind rubbing shoulders and there are plenty of storage options throughout the car. The powered boot has a capacity of 588-litres that can be increased to 1,810 litres with the split folding rear seats dropped flat. In addition, there is a glovebox, a covered tray on top of the dashboard, fold out trays in the back of the front seats, door pockets and cup holders that are positioned within the central storage compartment between the two front seats – this is a tad annoying as the armrest needs to be raised at ninety degrees in order to access a drink and that in turn stops air flowing through the vents to back seat passengers.

But that slight gripe aside, the Karoq is a fabulous all-rounder. Our car was supplied in Edition spec priced at £32,475 (£34,640 with options). It  was powered by a 2.0-litre 150PS diesel engine mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox and could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 9.3 seconds and maxed out at 121mph. According to official figures, it can deliver combined fuel efficiency of 54.3mpg with carbon emissions of 138g/km.

When it comes to performance the Karoq is beautifully simple to drive and all the controls, dials and readouts are ideally positioned for driver usability. The acceleration through the seven-speed gearbox is both smooth and responsive with steering wheel mounted paddles if you fancy changing gears manually. In busy town centres, the Karoq proved agile and easy to manoeuvre and the Park Assist with Steering Assist makes parking a simple process even if the gap is very tight.

Out on the faster, winding country lanes, the road holding was ultra-grippy and there was very little sign of any body sway even when pushed hard into the bends. The effective suspension system does a great job of ironing out the road creases with only the more severe potholes and ridges sending the car off course.

Then on the motorways, the Karoq easily held its own alongside fast-paced traffic – the road surface and engine noise only becoming apparent at higher speeds.

The driver can choose from different driving modes called Eco, Normal, Sport, Individual and Snow that alter the way the car handles. Our test car also featured 4×4 capabilities to keep you on track during harsher weather and more challenging driving conditions.

Skoda is renowned for adding ‘Simply Clever’ features to its cars and the Karoq is no exception. Look hard enough and you will find an umbrella tucked away in its own little compartment beneath the front passenger seat, there is a removeable torch in the boot and a convenient bin with a lid in the driver’s door – all touches to help make life run a little smoother.

When it was tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating the Skoda Karoq secured a maximum five stars. It boasts a number of driver aids such as blind spot detection with rear traffic alert, front assist radar with automatic braking, lane assist, a driver fatigue sensor, traffic sign recognition and lots more besides.

All in all, the Karoq is an excellent piece of kit. Yes, there may be more dynamic compact SUVs out there and some are sportier in their styling, but the Karoq is economically priced, packed to bursting with the latest technology, practical with room for all the family and it’s also fun to drive so certainly ticks the right boxes.

Test Drive

Skoda Karoq first drive (2018)

It seems that one is simply not enough when it comes to manufacturers and their SUVs these days.

Take Skoda for example, a company that boasted the multi award-winning Yeti in its illustrious ranks. But that was then and this is now. The Yeti has been sidelined and in its place are two new cars. We saw the launch of the Kodiaq last year with seven-seat versatility and now the Czech manufacturer has introduced its smaller sibling called the Karoq.

The five-door Karoq is priced from £20,875 to £31,690 and is available in three core time levels called SE, SE L and Edition. I say core because a special SE Technology grade is also being offered to meet the demands of the fleet market.

There is a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines with power outputs ranging from 115PS to 150PS and in addition, buyers can select between a manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic DSG gearbox that is optional across the range plus 4WD which is available on all 2.0-litre TDI models.

The Karoq boasts strong, athletic styling and a choice of 13 colours. And it’s certainly a head-turner thanks to its powerful dimensions – it is longer, wider and lower than the Yeti which gives it a real presence on the road. Eye-catching design cues include a dual slat radiator grille that flows effortlessly into the headlight clusters, a black bumper finisher that accentuates the width of the car, a sloping roofline, pronounced wheel arches, powerful lower door creases, chunky alloys ranging in size and an angled tailgate.

Step inside and the upmarket, clutter-free cabin has a split-level design which again shows off the width of the car. All models are fitted with a smart touchscreen infotainment system with the SE L and Edition versions upgrading to a feature-packed navigation set-up as standard. The Edition model also gets a 9.2-inch touchscreen with gesture control.

But even the entry-level SE Karoq is generously equipped with the likes of 17-inch alloys, privacy glass, radar scanning front assist, an automatic braking pedestrian monitor, dual-zone climate control, plus driver fatigue warning.

SE L adds 18-inch wheels, Amundsen sat nav with 8-inch screen, SmartLink, heated seats, full LED headlights with adaptive front lights, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Take the step up to range-topping Edition and you will see the introduction of 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, metallic paint, leather upholstery, the upgraded sat nav system with larger screen, an electrically-operated boot, LED ambient lighting along with a host of driver aids such as blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, lane assist and traffic sign recognition.

Skoda believes the most popular Karoq will be powered by a punchy 1.5 TSI 150PS petrol engine so we put a couple of those cars to the test in alternative trim levels and with varied transmissions and they proved very different to drive

First up was the Karoq SE L with seven-speed DSG gearbox priced at £25,825 (£27,895 with options fitted). This car could sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 8.6 seconds, topped out at 126mph and delivered combined fuel economy of 50.4mpg with carbon emissions of 127g/km.

Firstly, it has to be said just how spacious the Karoq is with ample room inside for five adults to travel in comfort. The high-seated driving position results in excellent all-round visibility and all the instrumentation is perfectly positioned for ease of use.

Luggage options are impressive too with a boot capacity ranging from 521 to 1,630 litres on SE models. The introduction of Skoda’s Varioflex seating system as standard or an option on higher grades means the trio of rear seats can be tilted, folded flat or removed completely and that results in a storage capacity that ranges from 479 litres to a whopping 1,810 litres.

Elsewhere, Skoda makes clever use of the space throughout the cabin with fold-down trays with click-out cupholders for back seat occupants, a generously-sized glovebox, litter bins in the door pockets, a covered tray on the dashboard (Edition models) and hooks, nets and bins in the boot to stop items rolling around. A neat touch is the reversible boot mat with a wipe-clean surface one side and more traditional carpet on the other.

When it comes to driving, the Karoq is a very easy car to get used to. There is ample seat and steering wheel adjustment and the automatic gearbox is beautifully smooth and responsive. There are steering wheel mounted paddle shifts if you fancy taking more control.

In busy towns, the great visibility is a bonus and on motorways, the Karoq cruises effortlessly at national speed limits. Then on the twisting, winding country lanes it proved itself to be composed, well balanced, ultra-grippy and there was little sign of any body sway into bends. A choice of driving modes called Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual adjust the car’s responses and handling characteristics.

The efficient insulation results in a refined and nicely hushed cabin and only at higher speeds does any road surface, engine and wind noise start filtering through.

Next up was the Karoq Edition with six-speed manual transmission priced at £27,110 (£29,865 with extras fitted). This model completed the 0-62mph dash in 8.4 seconds, maxed out at 126mph and offered combined economy of 51.4mpg with CO2 of 125g/km.

The reason I said the cars were so different was down to one factor and that’s the size of the wheels. While the SE L was sitting on 18-inch alloys and was beautifully refined in its ride and handling, the jump to 19-inch wheels on the Edition version produced a very different driving experience. It seemed far more wallowy and when driving along undulating country roads at speed it proved more fidgety than the lower specced car.

But that aside, this car was also an accomplished performer and the interior featured a number of additional creature comforts such as a sunroof, wireless phone charger, leather upholstery, a larger touchscreen and improved infotainment system.

As well as the 1.5 petrol models driven, the 1.0-litre 115PS petrol version would be perfect for zipping round town, a 1.6 115PS TDI model is ideal for all-round economy and a powerful 2.0-litre diesel option will be best suited for lengthy motorway mileage.

With all the safety specifications that helped it achieve the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP testing along with competitive pricing, the Skoda Karoq is a worthy replacement to the ever-popular Yeti. But only time will tell if it can make a real dent in a market that has been flooded with quality SUVs in recent years.