Skoda Karoq
FIRSTUKDRIVE Diesel version of SUV is afine all-rounder
We try 1.6 diesel version of family SUV on UK roads for first time
THE family SUV market is more crowded than ever, and few makers are prepared to take big risks in such an important, and growing, sector.
According to Skoda, the unique looks of its old Yeti divided opinion, which ultimately harmed sales. As such, the Czech brand has taken a more pragmatic approach with the new Karoq.
Skoda doesn’t want you to think of the Karoq as a direct replacement for the Yeti, mainly because the new car is a full 16cm longer. It’s now positioned as a fully fledged rival to the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008 and SEAT Ateca.
That’s clear from the outside, where no Yeti design influence is carried over. Instead, the Karoq looks much like a shrunken Kodiaq, and in profile it’s strikingly similar to its Ateca cousin. It’s clean, smart and well proportioned, then, but it does lack the Yeti’s distinctive boxy character.
The interior is in a different league to its predecessor’s, too. Its dash is lifted virtually unchanged from the Kodiaq, meaning a clean and attractive design. The tech is intuitive to use as well, and the fit and finish is the equal to that on pricier VWS. There are more soft-touch finishes than in the SEAT, and our SE L model’s plush Alcantara-trimmed seats add to the general premium feel.
Practicality has been a Skoda forte for years, and the Karoq largely lives up to expectations. There’s loads of space in the front, and headroom is fine even for tall adults in the back. Legroom isn’t quite as generous as you might expect from the brand, though; four six-footers can sit in acceptable comfort, but with the rear occupants’ knees brushing the Karoq’s folding plastic tray tables.
Still, sliding and individually folding seats allow easy expansion of the already competitively sized boot, while the many neat ‘Simply Clever’ touches show that much thought has gone into the design.
In our test last year (Issue 1,500), a European-spec Karoq saw off the 3008 with its powerful 148bhp 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine, but the first right-handdrive UK model we’ve tried comes with the VW Group’s venerable 113bhp 1.6 TDI diesel. This may no longer be the brand’s volume seller (you can blame the demonisation of diesel for that), but it’s still a good all-rounder, offering enough performance for most families’ needs.
Refinement is strong, and real-world efficiency is impressive. Still, we reckon the excellent 1.0-litre TSI is still the best fit for the Karoq, thanks to its punchy power delivery, decent fuel economy and low emissions.
Once up to speed, Skoda’s newest SUV is an extremely composed and grown-up car to drive. It’s got a slightly softer suspension set-up than the Ateca’s, so it offers a more comfortable ride that takes the edge off big potholes and particularly rough roads. It retains most of its Spanish SEAT cousin’s tight, controlled feel in bends, too.
The steering isn’t as responsive to inputs as the 3008’s, although it’s more naturally weighted. Body roll is kept in check nicely, while the car’s compact dimensions and good forward visibility make it very easy to place on the road.
With great wind and road noise isolation, the Karoq certainly feels more grown-up than the Yeti on the move, too. Fitted with this diesel engine, it’s a good long-distance cruiser as well. And as
with the Kodiaq, the Karoq is competitively priced – as long as you avoid the most lavish trim levels.
Our mid to high-spec SE L car comes with 18-inch alloys, adaptive full-led headlights, heated seats and an eightinch touchscreen sat-nav featuring builtin Wifi. Even so, it’s still £1,200 cheaper than a similarly powered 3008 Allure. Reasonably priced options help you spec a Karoq sensibly, while initial finance deals also look extremely tempting.