Road test:

4x4 set up averaged 46 to the gallon on our run – close enough to the official figures of 56.5mpg and 131g/ km.

With the all-wheel-drive system the Karoq can tow up to two tonnes and with an off-road mode available at the touch of a button, hill descent control engaged via the touchscreen and a suite of all terrain instruments on hand, it is a competent performer away from the highway.

Where the Karoq impressed was with its ability to soak up bumps over poor surfaces and under all circumstances it is comfortable and surprisingly well composed for an SUV.

Acceleration times in the low eight seconds come from the 2.0litre diesel and the 1.5 petrol engine – both delivering 150ps. The 1,6 diesel and the 1.0-litre TSI have 115ps on tap and that’s reflected in 0 to 60 times of 10.4 and 10.3 seconds respectively.

Over similar terrain we saw average fuel returns of 48 to the gallon for the 1.6, 39 for the 1.5 and 38mpg for the 1.0-litre, and that one was fitted with the seven speed DSG box instead of the six-speed manual.

Variable drive modes were available on all but the 1.0-litre model we sampled and those give the Karoq extra bite if needed as well as optimising economy yet under whatever the engine the car was lacking little.

Inside, the Karoq is smartly finished, easy to drive and the dash