AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 131C
zech brand Skoda’s Karoq
mid-size SUV shares its
structure, and most hardware,
with parent company VW’s
Tiguan, but there are signifi cant
differences as well.
Karoq, which replaces the
Yeti, is priced at $32,290 for
the 1.5-litre turbopetrol four-
cylinder/seven-speed DSG/front-
wheel-drive 110TSI.
Now that VW’s entry level
1.4-litre turbo 110TSi Tiguan
fi ve seater is no longer available
-- though it may be reintroduced
later in 2019 -- Karoq is the
cheapest entry point to the VW
compact SUV family.
Tiguan pricing opens at
$43,150 for the 2.0-litre
turbopetrol 132TSi Comfortline.
The Karoq’s 1.5-litre produces
110kW of power and 250Nm of
torque — and features partial
cylinder deactivation under light
loads, plus auto stop/start, to
save fuel. Low friction internals
and higher injection pressure
further improve effi ciency.
Seven ratios and a relatively
light 1353kg mass gives the Skoda
rapid acceleration -- 8.6 seconds
from rest to 100km/h is at the
pointy end of this class.
Inside, Karoq is more spacious
than it looks. Like any VW, it
comfortably accommodates a tall
driver, with generous adjustability
for the seat and steering wheel.
The back seat is where the
Karoq differs. Split 40/20/40,
each section can be tumble
folded, or easily unclipped from
the fl oor and removed, so you
can have a two-, three-, four- or
fi ve-seat layout, as you prefer.
Legroom is adjusted in a
60/40 split and is fi ne for adults.
Backrest angles are also
individually adjustable.
Available load space ranges
from 479 litres with all seats in
use and maximum rear legroom,
up to a small van-like 1810 litres
with all seats removed.
Other neat touches that justify
Skoda’s “Simply Clever” brand
slogan include lots of handy
storage, tablet holders, vents
and a 12-volt socket for the backseat, an umbrella under the front
passenger seat and, in the boot,
three nets, an LED torch, 12-
volt outlet, four adjustable bag
hooks (on tracks), an adjustable,
Velcro-backed panel for securing
smaller objects and a double-
sided fl oor mat.
Seven airbags, autonomous
emergency braking, rear
obstacle detection and braking,
adaptive cruise and fatigue alert
are standard, so Karoq isn’t far
off Mazda’s CX5 and Subaru’s
Forester for safety spec at the
circa $30K price point, though the
Mazda and Subaru do offer more.
Karoq has several quite pricey
options packs that combine
safety technology and frilly stuff,
a pretty cynical approach that
forces you to pay more for safety
tech than you should.
The 1.5 is a smooth, torquey,
willing little engine, with stronger
performance and better low-
down pulling power than its
naturally aspirated rivals.
The seven-speed, though, has
the same slight hesitation inengaging from rest as it does in
the VW Golf and Polo; in bumper-
to-bumper traffi c, it can also
dither around in the lower gears
with the occasional abrupt shift.
Karoq handles safely and
securely, but it doesn’t feel quite
as solid or comfortable at speed
as the Tiguan, or Mazda’s CX5.
Rough roads induce a little
body fl ex and the ride on optional
18-inch wheels is lumpy and
fussy. Tactile, precise steering,
complemented by light weight and
fi rm suspension, makes Karoq
quite an agile, enjoyable little SUV.
Again, though, Tiguan feels
just a smidgin tighter and more
fi nessed overall.
That said, Karoq is a nicely
priced kid carrier, with stronger
performance than the asthmatic
atmo fours in most rivals, class-
leading safety at the price and a
genius interior.SKODA KAROQ FROM $29,990
THINGS WE LIKE
Good value
A great kid carrier, with a versatile,
practical interior
Punchy, economical 1.5-litre
engine
Long warranty
Agile, enjoyable handling
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Ride is a bit lumpy on rough roads
Cynical packaging of safety tech
with bling at high prices
Seven-speed DSG isn’t particularly
smooth or responsive in traffi c
VW Tiguan is a little more polished
and poised
SPEX (DSG)
Made in the Czech Republic
1.5-litre turbopetrol four-cylinder/
seven-speed DSG/front-wheel
drive
110kW of power at 5000rpm/250Nm
of torque from 1500-3500rpm
0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds
5.2L/100km highway; 7.0L/100km
city; 95 octane premium; CO2
emissions are 133gkm; fuel tank is
50 litres
Warranty: Five years/unlimited km
Max towing weight: 1500kg
Standard: Seven airbags, stability
control, AEB, adaptive cruise, rear
obstacle detection and braking,
eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth,
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
connectivity, USB and SD slots, 17-
inch alloys, dual-zone air, keyless
entry and starting
Redbook future values: 3yr: 53%;
5yr: 37%SafetyPerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS
compare with ...
Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson,
Mazda CX5, Mitsubishi Eclipse,
Peugeot 3008, VW TiguanS