Skoda Karoq cars

The style of the car

The Karoq is a mid-size SUV that has an appealing upmarket feel. It might not stand out in a car park, but not everyone wants a car that does. The Scout model has additional SUV styling details for a more rugged look, while the Sportline has sportier wheels and trim. It’s a similar story inside. The interior is functional rather than flashy but it has a high-quality feel and is very user-friendly. 

How it drives

The Karoq is quiet, comfortable and easy to drive. The view out is excellent and it’s relatively compact, so driving round town is easy. All models have parking sensors that are helpful when manoeuvring. A large selection of petrol and diesel engines are available. All provide good acceleration, although the least powerful models can feel a bit slow to respond at higher speeds. All engines are available with an automatic gearbox, while the most powerful options are available with four-wheel drive for reassurance on slippery roads and surprisingly good off-road ability.

The interior

The Karoq is a mid-size SUV with five doors and five seats. It’s a similar size to the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage. Its interior is comfortable and user-friendly. All models have a dashboard touchscreen display to access many of the functions and features. There’s room for four adults comfortably –  even tall people have ample headroom in the back seats. The boot is one of the biggest of any mid-size SUV class, with space for four large suitcases. There are useful features throughout the interior, too, including hooks for hanging bags, huge door pockets, removable bins and fold-down tables on the back of the front seats. Some models have ‘VarioFlex’ back seats  – three individual seats that slide back and forth, fold down individually and can be removed entirely to create a bigger boot. All models have climate control, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and parking sensors. High-spec models add sat nav and heated leather seats. 

Running costs and reliability

The Karoq is very good value compared with many rivals. Petrol-powered models return 33-40mpg, according to official figures, while the diesels return 41-52mpg. Cars fitted with optional automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive return slightly lower fuel economy. Road tax and insurance costs should be low. Skoda has a good reliability record as a brand, so it’s unlikely the Karoq will give cause for concern. Safety organisation Euro NCAP awarded it a full five-star rating.   

How it compares with similar cars

There are a lot of mid-size SUVs to choose from, including the Ford Kuga, Honda HR-V and Peugeot 3008. The Ford feels more fun to drive, the Honda is larger, and the Peugeot looks more distinctive but the Karoq stands out for its upmarket feel, user-friendliness and cost-effectiveness.