As I write this there’s a waiting list for the new Kodiaq that doesn’t bear thinking about. This is very serious business as Skoda are eating into the sales of Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT along with the competing brands.
The new Karoq is putting Skoda in the direct firing line for the small SUV market and it’ll be the first time that they will release this kind of car.
There’s no nice way to put this but Skoda have killed off the Yeti, I’m sorry I know that’s bad news for some of you but things had to move on. I can no longer talk about the Abominable snowman’s car but the Yeti was actually a good car if a little quirky looking.
There’s a much more traditional look to the exterior of the Karoq but it is right in the middle of a tough market which includes some of the best looking cars on the market today, think the Peugeot 3008, Mazda CX5 and SEAT Ateca. It’s based on the same MQB platform as the Ateca, and both models have the same 2,638mm wheelbase.
However, the Skoda’s VarioFlex sliding rear seat (taken from the Yeti) means that has more legroom and more boot space than its Spanish sibling. While the Ateca has a 510-litre capacity, the Skoda has between 479 and 588 litres. The boot is a square shape and the opening is wide, so the Karoq is definitely a good addition to Skoda’s reputation for building practical cars.
There’s loads of legroom with the seats set back, and the high roofline means even taller passengers won’t feel tight in the rear cabin. You can also take out the rear seats and make a van-sized car making it the ultra-smart addition to the family car.
You’ll know that you are in a Skoda the minute you sit in the front, anyone who’s been in the Kodiaq or Octavia will see the same view in the Karoq. That’s no bad thing because Skoda has a very clean look and it feels very upmarket.
There is a wireless smartphone charging bin and an optional 9.2-inch Columbus central touchscreen which is one of the best screens of its type although I do prefer to see a physical knob to control the volume and the fingerprints from touching the screen would annoy me but that might be a personal thing.
There are five engines: two petrol and three diesel, the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI provides 85 kW (115 PS), 1.5 TSI with cylinder shutdown provides 110 kW (150 PS), a 1.6 TDI with 85 kW (115 PS) and a 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS). The biggest surprise is the 1ltr TSI which is the nicest engine of the bunch and more than powerful enough to lug the family around.
The Karoq will be available to order in December and I’m sure the lads in Skoda Ballybrittas will be ready to take the orders with prices starting at a very keen €27,715 for a decently specced Ambition model Skoda aren’t finished being simply clever.
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