Skoda launched its latest SUV in NSW recently and we were on hand to sample the goods.
Karoq will be a name that not many have heard before but it is one that dads looking for a new medium-sized SUV suitable for the family should make familiar.
It is the latest offering from Czech car manufacturer Skoda, and the second all-new SUV they have added to their line-up in the past 12 months. The first was the larger Kodiak.
And, unlike the model it replaces (the Yeti) there is nothing quirky about the Karoq, except for its name, which is the combination of two words from the Kodiak Island in Alaska that mean arrow (as used in the Skoda logo) and car.
Direct Advice for Dads was invited to the national launch of the all new Karoq where we were shown the design features Skoda believes will make this medium-sized wagon an attractive proposition for families.
Flexible Seating
The Karoq has been fitted with Skoda’s ‘Vario Flexi’ seating that will allow you to set the wagon up as a two, three, four or five seater, depending on your needs.
While Skoda is not the first manufacturer to offer this type of seating design – the Honda HR-V has something similar – no other manufacturer has gone this far.
The 40,20,40 split rear seat not only folds down flat but each section can also be flipped up, or even removed, leaving you with two, one or zero rear seats.
With the middle section removed you can also slide the two outer sections toward the middle to create a four-seater with plenty of space on either side of the seat.
You also can slide the rear seats forward by as much as 150mm to create more cargo space while still using the rear seat, if required.
That option is not going to be available if you have a rear-facing baby seat. With all the combinations available you can create between 479-litres (with the rear seat in use) and 1810-litres with the seats removed.
Removing each seat is a simple three-step process that takes less than a minute. For the record, the outer seats weigh 19kg and the middle 13kg (about the same as my 18-month old grandson), so lifting them out of the car should not pose too much of a problem for most people.
While I could not get my baby car seat into the hand-luggage locker on the plane, I did take my trusty old tape measure to the launch to check how comfortably a rear-facing car seat would fit.
After checking the tape several times I have returned home concerned it will be tight. I will be able to provide a definitive answer when we get the car for a comprehensive review in September.
‘Simply clever’
This is Skoda’s motto and to emphasize it is more than just words they have added several simple, but very effective, features to the Karoq as standard.
Three really caught my eye and had me wondering why other manufacturers don’t do something similar.
- Tablet holders fitted into the headrest of the driver and passenger seat that can hold anything up to the size of an iPad mini. Problem of entertaining the back seat passengers solved.
- Plastic mounts with Velcro on the bottom. The mounts can also be folded at various angles and positioned to hold boxes or bags in place in the cargo area – brilliant!
- The light in the cargo area can be removed and used as a torch. When you put it back into the car the batteries are automatically recharged.
The Koraq also comes standard with a reversible cargo mat with carpet on one side, for when you need to use the plastic mounts, and plastic on the other side for carrying wet or very dirty items, an umbrella and little bins in each door.
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Performance
Initially only one engine, an all-new four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbo charged petrol engine that generates 110kW and maximum torque of 250Nm, is available.
Other options, including a diesel, will be added over time. The 1.5 can be matched to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.
If you are keen on a manual transmission this is likely to be the only time it is offered.
Fuel economy is 5.7L/100km for the manual and 5.8 for the DSG.
On the launch we had the opportunity to spend about two hours behind the wheel experiencing a combination of city, highway and country driving.
While it was only a small taste it was hard to find fault with the Karoq. The cabin was as comfortable and as quiet as anything I have driven in the class and there was plenty of power when needed.
Model Range
The Karoq is only available in one model with a comprehensive range of driver assist technology and standard equipment that includes keyless entry and start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera with rear parking sensor and dual-zone climate control.
There are also three packs, Premium ($3600), Tech ($3200) and Travel ($1700) that can be added. For a limited time there is also a launch pack ($8900) that includes the best of all three packs as well as three years of free servicing.
Price
1.5 TSI manual $29,990 (plus on road costs)
1.5 TSI automatic $32,990 (plus on road costs)
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