King Karoq wears crown

Skoda’s Karoq is Best Small Family Crossover of the year.

Skoda’s Qashqai-sized compact family crossover is a well-liked choice in its segment. Its predecessor, the Yeti, was never quite big enough to take on the all-conquering Nissan Qashqai in the compact family SUV sector – but this design definitely is.

It may be on the large side by compact 4x4 standards but is still a manageable size for getting about town in, offering a larger boot, among other incentives, to tempt buyers away from Nissan’s market leader.

The interior is roomy, with Skoda having done a lot of thinking about how to make the most of the space. A trio of tall adults can be accommodated in the rear and quality dashboard materials and neat design top off a very accomplished cabin.

Under the skin, the car gets all the latest Volkswagen Group technology, including a hi-tech MQB chassis and cutting-edge safety and infotainment features. Everything, in fact, that you’d want from a modern family-sized crossover of this kind.

Lots of the elements that drivers have come to appreciate in SUV vehicles are evident in this car, such as the elevated seating position with its enhanced visibility and easy access.

A good range of engine options is available with the Karoq and all of the drivetrains can be ordered with a sixspeed manual gearbox or seven-speed DSG auto transmission. The 1.5 TSI petrol variant uses cylinder deactivation for an exemplary combination of performance and efficiency.

Only the top 2.0 TDI 150hp diesel variant is available with 4WD; in fact, you have to have AWD with this flagship version. This derivative is also fitted with a special ‘Off Road’ mode and hill descent control so that you can more easily slither down slippery slopes.

There are so many compact, C-segment, Qashqai-sized SUVs to choose from these days, it’s hard to keep track but this Skoda Karoq is worthy of a place near the centre of the scrum.

The Skoda Karoq boast a spacious interior and there is a good range of engine choices.