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We rate the Skoda Karoq as one of the best mid-size SUVs. It’s great value for money, comfortable, well-equipped and good to drive.
The Skoda Karoq has been on sale since 2017 and was updated in 2022 to keep it fresh against newer rivals.
There have been a range of trim levels phased in and out over the years, but the general hierarchy is this: SE as the entry-level trim, SE Technology and SE L as the mid-range options and Sportline as the more sporty-looking model. You could also go for the Scout model, which has four-wheel drive, some additional tough-looking exterior trim and an off-road mode.
There are no hybrid or electric models so you have a straightforward choice between petrol or diesel engines. Petrol engines range from small, efficient 1.0-litre units through to relatively powerful 2.0-litre options, with 1.5-litre engines in the middle. There are also 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel options with various power outputs.
Most versions of the Skoda Karoq come with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. Early SE models didn’t have sat nav, but all models got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can mirror your smartphone apps on the screen. The system was upgraded in July 2022 to look slicker. A larger 9.2-inch version of the touchscreen is standard on high-spec models and was an option on others.
Some versions of the Karoq have a ‘Virtual Cockpit’, which is Skoda’s name for a digital display replacing traditional analogue dials behind the steering wheel. It looks smart and lets you configure your preferred driving information. It was an option on pre-2022 cars and is now a feature included as standard on cars sold new since then.
Other features worth noting fall under Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ collection of things that make life a bit easier. There’s an umbrella stored under the front passenger seat, a removable magnetic torch in the boot in case you get stuck somewhere in the dark, and an ice scraper stored in the fuel flap.
For the maximum fuel economy you’ll want to look at a Karoq with a diesel engine, the most fuel-efficient of which gives nearly 60mpg according to official figures.
The most fuel-efficient petrol engine is the 1.0, which promises up to 48.6mpg according to official figures, while the 1.5 comes close with 46.3mpg. Those figures are pretty good, but bear in mind that you can’t get a hybrid or electric Karoq – options that some rivals offer.
While there are more affordable cars of this type than the Karoq, the amount of equipment you get included as standard makes it very good value for money. That’s only helped by the fact that it’s an excellent car to drive and is very comfortable, too.
Rivals for the Skoda Karoq include other mid-size SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai, which is another great all-rounder, and the Kia Sportage, which comes with a market-leading seven-year warranty from new. The Peugeot 3008 is a great option with a huge boot and stylish looks, and the latest Hyundai Tucson has a five-year warranty, an even bigger boot than the Peugeot and is available as a plug-in hybrid. For a sportier driving experience, check out the Seat Ateca.
The Skoda Karoq is a practical car that’s a great choice for families. Although it’s fairly compact on the outside, there’s lots of space for four adults inside and the 521-litre boot is bigger than you’ll find in the Nissan Qashqai.
Getting people and things in and out is very easy thanks to large door and boot openings. Karoq’s ‘VarioFlex seats’ are included as standard on higher-spec models and were optional on other models when new. These are back seats which you can slide forwards or backwards, fold forward or even remove from the car entirely to cater for different loads and needs.
The Skoda Karoq is the second smallest of Skoda’s SUVs. Below it is the Kamiq, while above it are the all-electric Enyaq iV and the big, five- or seven-seat Kodiaq.
Other Skoda cars include, in size order from smallest: the Citigo city car, the Fabia and Scala hatchbacks, the Octavia family car and the larger Superb.
The Skoda Karoq was awarded the maximum five stars by the independent safety organisation Euro NCAP in 2017. Some newer rivals have more advanced driver assistance systems, but with a Karoq you get automatic emergency braking as standard and other available features include lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which warns you of oncoming vehicles when you’re reversing out of a parking space.
There are no hybrid or electric versions of the Skoda Karoq. If you’re after a similar kind of car, the slightly larger Skoda Enyaq iV is definitely worth a look.
