Skoda Karoq

El Skoda Karoq It is the second SUV that the Czech house has launched on the market. It sits somewhere in the middle of the range, just above the small Skoda Kamiq, but below the largest member of the family, the Skoda Kodiaq, which hit the market just a few months earlier. In this way, the manufacturer offers a solution in each of the most common niches in the SUV market.

We have tested this car:

Test Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI 150 CV DSG 2022 Style (with video)Test Skoda Karoq 2022 Sportline 1.5 TSI 150 CV DSG Test Skoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TSI 190 CV, DSG 7v and 4 × 4 Test Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 CV 4 × 4, comes from the last to be the first Test Skoda Karoq Style 1.5 TSI Evo 150 CV DSG (video)Skoda SUV range test: the Karoq and Kodiaq grow in the open field

However, the history of SUVs Skoda does not start there, but rather we must go back to the model that Karoq took over from, the Skoda Yeti. that yes that it was the first SUV of the house, although its format did not indicate it. However, as good as it was, fashion demands a different SUV format, with more country-style proportions and not so familiar.

The Karoq was presented to society in the middle of 2017, to start its commercialization at the end of that same year. At the end of 2021 it undergoes its most important update, including revised and improved versions. It serves as a curiosity that its name comes from the language Aleut, native to the Alaska Peninsula. The name Karoq comes from the union of Kaa'Raq and Ruq, which mean automobile and arrow., just what the brand logo expresses.

Technical characteristics of the Skoda Karoq

The Czechs belong to one of the largest automobile conglomerates in the world, the Volkswagen Group. Thanks to this, they can use a multitude of components such as the MQB A1 platform on which the Skoda Karoq rests. It is the same that we can see in other products of the house, such as the Volkswagen T ROC or SEAT Ateca, which we could label as a twin model.

For the specific case of the Karoq, the engineers have modified various aspects that improve the habitability conditions. Outwardly it reaches heights of 4,39 meters long, 1,84 meters wide and 1,6 meters high. To these dimensions must be added a wheelbase of 2,64 meters. A battle that allows you to offer an interior for a maximum of five passengers.

Three of them are located in a rear row with variable adjustment thanks to the Varioflex seating system. Three individual seats with longitudinal adjustment capable of adapting to any need for space. Regarding the load capacity, The Skoda Karoq announces a minimum boot volume of 521 liters, expandable to a maximum of 1.630 liters if we completely lower the second row of seats.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Skoda Karoq

Despite the 2022 renewal, the Karoq's mechanical portfolio does not include electrified solutions of any kind, not even MHEV versions with which to offer the advantageous DGT ECO label. Its range is entirely based on mechanical combustion versions. It presents a varied range with three petrol versions and two diesel units. As standard they send the power to the front axle, but some versions can have a 4 × 4 system.

The range starts with the 1.0 horsepower Karoq 110 TSI EVO. It mounts a small block turbocharged three-cylinder with manual transmission and front-wheel drive. It is followed by the 1.5-horsepower Karoq 150 TSI with front-wheel drive and a 7-speed DSG manual or automatic transmission. The most powerful in the gasoline range is the 2.0 TSI with 190 horsepower. with all-wheel drive and dual-clutch DSG transmission.

One of the changes undergone by the Karoq in the middle of its life cycle is the unification of the diesel range. All versions are based on the same block 2.0 TDI four-cylinder. It is a turbocharged engine with two liters of displacement. At its lowest power level, it offers 116 horsepower with manual transmission or DSG and front-wheel drive. At a higher level, it reaches 150 horsepower, which can be added by 4×4 traction with manual or automatic transmission.

Equipment of the Skoda Karoq

Skoda is known as a general brand, one of the best. From inside the Karoq is offered with a somewhat bland interior, but well presented in terms of systems and finishes. For the most part, it offers soft materials with a pleasant touch that increase the sensation of perceived quality.. The highest levels of the range can offer details finished in leather or Alcantara.

As is customary in the house, they offer different trim and equipment levels: Active, Ambition, Style, Scout and Sportline. In each of them, not only the load of systems and equipment is modified, there is also an aesthetic change. Slight exterior and interior touch-ups that allow the design to be altered in order to adapt to the taste of the clients. Thanks to the 2022 renewal, interesting optional elements are added that keep the model updated.

As far as equipment is concerned, the Karoq is one of the most complete in the family, though not as much as more modern units like the Skoda Octavia. Many elements should be highlighted, such as: LED headlights, panoramic roof, digital instrumentation, multimedia system with touch screen up to 10 inches, reversing camera, connectivity for mobile devices, air conditioning and much more, including comfort elements and driving assistants. .

Video test of the Skoda Karoq

The Skoda Karoq according to Euro NCAP

The Skoda Karoq has been subjected to the impact tests carried out by the European autonomous body Euro NCAP in 2017, obtaining the highest possible rating: 5 stars. The score obtained in the different tests is as follows. Protection for adult and child occupants in the event of an impact is 93 and 79 percent, respectively. In the event of a pedestrian or bicyclist being hit, he scored a remarkable 73 percent. Finally, in terms of active driving aids, it achieved a discreet 58 percent protection. These valuations are still valid today as there has been no change in the structure of the vehicle.

The Skoda Karoq of Km 0 and second hand

Despite being a best-selling SUV from the house, the Skoda Karoq has not been a great commercial success, although the Czechs are happy with its market share. After having garnered good reviews, sales have not been encouraged at any time, and that leaves us with the fact that the secondary sales channels do not show many units available. in them we observe a value of depreciation around 28%, an average figure within the category.

If we take a look at second-hand and second-hand market we see that prices start from figures close to 18.000 eros for 2019 models with less than 100 thousand kilometers, generally with gasoline mechanics and base finish. Less popular is the Km 0 channel, where the prices do not represent a great saving with respect to the new factory models. Given this perspective, many drivers prefer to get the services of a completely new model.

Rivals of the Skoda Karoq

The Skoda Karoq militates in the compact SUV segment, one of the fastest growing is suffering by sales volume and number of rivals. For both reasons, the competition in it is one of the highest in the market. In the long list of names include: Hyundai Tucson, KIA Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai, Toyota RAV4, Ford Kuga, Renault Kadjar, Peugeot 3008, Opel Grandland X y Volkswagen Tiguan. To all of them we must add its most direct rival, the SEAT Ateca, with which it shares a large part of the development as well as a multitude of shared elements, including the mechanics.

Highlight

Optional equipment available
Space and modularity
driving dynamics

To improve

Price of some versions
boring indoor environment
Finishing details in some areas of the cabin

Skoda Karoq prices

When setting prices, Skoda has remained true to its philosophy of maintaining an excellent price-product ratio. The starting price of the Skoda Karoq is 28.200 euros, without offers or promotions. That value corresponds to a unit with Active base finish and 1.0 TSI 110-horsepower mechanics with manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. The most expensive of the family is the Karoq Sportline 2.0 TSI of 190 horses with automatic transmission DSG and all-wheel drive. Its price starts at 43.900 euros, without offers or promotions.