Facelifted Karoq Has A Lively Beat

The Karoq was the second of Skoda’s Q cars, as it were, preceded by the Kodiaq, and followed by the Kamiq and the all-electric Enyaq.

The facelifted version of the Karoq has gone on sale, with pricing starting from €33,750 for the 110hp 1.0-litre TSI petrol model in Ambition trim, rising to €50,140 for the 150hp 2.0-litre TDI diesel model with four-wheel drive.

In between, there are 150hp 1.5-litre TSI petrol and 115hp 2.0-litre diesel variants with a choice of manual or DSG automatic transmissions. The car has a redesigned grille, new headlights and, in the cabin, new upholstery and décor options, with an emphasis on sustainable materials.

A brief test drive in the 1.0-ltre TSI confirmed why the Karoq is one of the best mid-size crossovers out there.

There’s a lively beat to the engine, and while a 0-100kph sprint of 11.1 seconds isn’t exactly going to put you in a neck brace, it’s adequate for most buyers. The optional sunroof, for an extra €1,392, adds a great sense of airiness to what already feels like a generously proportioned interior.