Skoda is replacing the Yeti, with this: the Karoq. And we’ve driven it for the first time
It’s all change for Skoda’s compact SUV, with a fresh name – Karoq – and an array of new tech
We try early version of Karoq Same platform as SEAT Ateca
EVEN with the psychedelic disguise, it’s clear that the new Skoda Yeti is a completely different car to the one it’s about to replace. In fact, the crossover has undergone such a dramatic transformation that Skoda has decided to give it an allnew name, too – welcome the Karoq.
Now a more conventional rival for the likes of the SEAT Ateca and Nissan Qashqai, the new name helps the Karoq slot into Skoda’s reshaped SUV line-up spearheaded by the Kodiaq. The Karoq will be officially unveiled later this month, and ahead of the crossover arriving in showrooms at the end of the year (priced from around £17,000) Auto Express joined Skoda’s development team in Estonia to see how it’s shaping up.
The outgoing Yeti was a huge success for Skoda, so why the big change? Well, a new platform and new technology have become available to Skoda, and China is playing an ever-increasing role in dictating the look and purpose of new cars. In the Far East, the Yeti has no real history or pedigree, so Skoda has decided to start from scratch.
Our exclusive image (opposite) gives you an idea of how the finished model will look, but the heavily disguised prototypes tell us it’s all-change. The Kodiaq has had a clear influence on the Karoq – and not just on its name. A scaled-down version of the wide front grille and headlamps are just about visible at the front, while sharp edges to the bodywork can be picked out on the flanks.
The Karoq is based on the same MQB chassis as the Ateca and shares an almost identical footprint, measuring 4,382mm long, 1,841mm wide and 1,605mm tall. Those are significant gains over the Yeti, and as a result boot capacity is up by 105 litres to 521 litres – dropping the rear bench boosts load capacity to 1,630 litres. That makes the Karoq the most practical car in its class.
Four engines will be available from launch: 1.0 and 1.5-litre petrols and 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels, with power ranging from 115bhp to 187bhp. The models we had access to in Estonia were the 148bhp 1.5-litre turbo and 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel, the latter of which featured four-wheel drive.
By now, prototypes have covered around 1.2million miles during testing. Aside from a few niggles regarding fit and finish, the Karoq feels showroom ready. While we can’t show you the interior, a new 9.2-inch infotainment system is what catches your eye first. It’s slick, intuitive and loaded
with Skoda Connect features such as a Wifi hotspot and Apple Carplay. A smaller 6.5-inch display comes on entry models.
On the move, the 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo is extremely quiet, and even a boot of throttle to up the pace does little to upset refinement. There’s also a noticeably softer edge to the Karoq’s ride compared to the Ateca – it feels supple and forgiving, but there is more body roll. Adaptive dampers will be offered next year.
There’s little in the way of steering feel, but aligned with the Karoq’s more relaxed nature, it’s not a huge concern. The sevenspeed DSG box slurs gears perfectly, too.
The 2.0-litre diesel feels immediately more potent thanks to its superior 340Nm of torque. Despite that, Skoda claims it’s actually slower from 0-62mph, taking 8.9 seconds – half a second down on the 1.5. But as with the smaller engine, noise is well isolated from the cabin and the ride quality on the four-wheel-drive version is even better thanks to the multilink set-up at the rear – front-wheel drive models feature a less sophisticated torsion beam rear axle.
In the back, there’s also far more space than you’ll find in a Yeti – even tall adults won’t struggle for headroom. But one thing carried over from the Yeti is the Varioflex seating – the rear bench can slide, tumble and even be removed for maximum flexibility.
“There’s a softer edge to the ride than on the Ateca. It feels supple, but there is more body roll”