New Car Review: Škoda Karoq 1.0-litre TSI Style

The Škoda Karoq is Skoda’s popular mid-size SUV, which has just appeared in its second iteration, after the first-generation model had the unenviable task of attempting to replace the much-loved Škoda Yeti. But it has done just that and more than 500,000 Karoqs have been sold already and here in Ireland is has always done quite well when supply issues aren’t a factor. The Karoq sits between the Kamiq and the Kodiaq in the Škoda range and is a rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tuscon. As it always the case with any model life-cycle, the Karoq has been to the plastic surgeons for a refresh and these changes are both to the exterior design and to the interior, with some mild revisions to the engines. 

The new Karoq looks broadly similar to the model it replaces, but there have been some pretty subtle changes. For a start, there is a wider, hexagonal grille, surrounded by narrower headlights, which Škoda says makes the car look more rugged. We think it makes the car look a little bit meaner and more serious. There is a the addition from a practical point of view of the LED Matrix headlights are now standard from Style specification upwards and they add improved performance as they generate a beam of light consisting of several segments, which it controls individually. This prevents other road users from being dazzled, despite the high beams being on all the time. There is also a new colour-coded front bumper on the Karoq too up front. 

At the rear of the new Škoda Karoq, there are new tail lights, a new rear spoiler on the boot lid, which serves to improve the car’s aerodynamics and at the back, the rear bumper is also colour-coded to the paint. There are two new colours for the Karoq, Phoenix Orange and Graphite Grey and there are new alloy wheels, several of which come with aero inserts to again, make the Karoq more aerodynamic, with the aim of improving CO2 emissions. There are 17” “Scutis” silver alloy wheels, with black matt aero inserts on the Ambition model, 18” “Procyon” silver alloy wheels with black matt aero inserts on the Style model we were driving and the Sportline model gets all an all-black version of these 18” “Procyon” wheels. There is a further option of 18” “Miran” silver and black alloy wheels as a €48 option on the Style model. 

The Karoq has had some revisions to refresh the interior, with the addition of an optional ECO fabric upholstery, which uses recycled and recyclable materials of non-animal origin to upholster the seats and other areas. This upholstery is a €1,097 option on the Style model and is not offered on the Ambition or Sportline model. Full leather upholstery is offered, for €2,260 on the Ambition and Style versions, with the Sportline trim getting its own black thermoflux fabric upholstery. The Karoq now comes with the Virtual Cockpit mini with an 8” display as standard; a 10.25” Virtual Cockpit is available as a €719 option or comes as standard from the Style specification upwards. There are three different infotainment levels with displays ranging from 8 to 9.2”. There is an 8” Bolero infotainment system on the Ambition and Sportline, and a 9.2” Columbus system on the Style. Oddly, you’ve to pay an extra €1,308 if you want this on the Sportline specification, which is the most expensive in the range.

The Karoq we were driving came with the entry-level 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine, which is surprisingly good. For what you might think would be overwhelmed in a car weighting in at 1,890kg, it really feels urgent enough. 0-100km/h takes a respectable 11.1 seconds and the fuel economy is ok too, with an official figure of between 5.8-6.2 l/100km on the combined cycle. We were averaging 6.8 over the course of our week in the car, which took in a round trip to Cork on one day. The addition of the Travel Assist Pack on our model is one we would encourage. It is €856 but is money well spent, especially with the inclusion in this pack of Adaptive Cruise Control, which really makes long journeys a breeze. (The pack also adds Lane Assist, Forward Collision Warning, a rear view mirror with a USB-C port, for adding a dash cam and traffic sign recognition. Unless you really rack up the miles, then the entry-level Karoq engine is going to be absolutely fine for your needs. 

We would go for the one we were in, the 1.0-litre TSI 110hp in a Style specification as it pretty much has everything you could ask for and while the Style trim isn’t as pretty as the very handsome Sportline model, the Style model is the best value for money, in particular when it comes to the infotainment system, as you get the larger Columbus system as standard in the Style and you have to pay €1,308 for it in the Sportline. And unless you are really caught up on acceleration, or if unless you want a DSG, then the 1.0-litre petrol engine is more than enough power. Diesel will still suit some of course, especially the high milers and if you do want a 4×4 Karoq, then you will have to opt for the 2.0-litre TDI 150 with a DSG, but at €51,290, you are only €2,815 away from a Škoda Kodiaq 4×4 so that wouldn’t make much sense. 

The first version of the Karoq scored five-stars in the Euro NCAP safety test back in 2017 and achieved a remarkable 93% for Adult Occupant protection. The test criteria has certainly got harder since then, but this latest Karoq is very well sorted with safety items, but we would urge you to opt for the optional Travel Assist Package for €856, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Rear View Mirror with USB-C port for Dash Cams and Traffic Sign Recognition. In the event of an accident, up to nine airbags and the ”multi-collision” braking system, which immobilises the car after an accident and prevents further uncontrolled movement, will protect the occupants. 

For more information, visit www.skoda.ie