Skoda finally has a full SUV line-up in Australia. First came the seven-seat Kodiaq, followed this year by the Karoq and finally the Kamiq.
The middle child in the family is the Karoq, a more practical take on the Volkswagen T-Roc’s underpinnings that goes head-to-head with the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, and Nissan Qashqai.
Two models are available in Australia. Pricing starts at $32,990 before on-road costs for the 110TSI, while the 140TSI Sportline flagship kicks off at $39,990 before on-road and options packages.
Pricing
- 2021 Skoda Karoq 110TSI: $36,990 drive-away
- 2021 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: $43,990 drive-away
Engines
Power in the base Karoq 110TSI comes from a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. It’s front-wheel drive only, and features an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
The Karoq 140TSI Sportline packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque, put to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Although it’s a normal Volkswagen Group engine on the surface, the 140TSI Karoq is packing a clean little secret: it has a petrol particulate filter.
Necessary to meet emissions regulations in Europe, the filter is designed to catch the worst, most harmful particles in the car’s exhaust and burn them off at high temperatures to prevent them being emitted into the atmosphere.
Skoda is stressing the fact owners need to use premium unleaded in the car. Australian petrol contains significantly more sulphur than the unleaded sold in Europe, especially in the case of 91RON regular unleaded, which can clog the filter.
If the car is filled with the wrong fuel just a few times, owners face a hefty repair bill.
Fuel Economy
The entry-level 110TSI has a claimed combined fuel figure of 6.6L/100km.
Skoda claims the 140TSI Sportline uses 6.9L/100km of fuel on the combined cycle.
Dimensions
The Karoq measures up at 4382mm long, 1603mm tall and 1841mm wide, with a 2638mm wheelbase.
Boot space is 531L with the rear seats in place and 1630L with them folded.
You can find additional details on internal and external dimensions within the Skoda Karoq brochure.
Servicing
Maintenance for the Karoq is required every 12 months or 15,000km, and the car is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
A five-year service pack for the Karoq costs $1400, while a three-year pack will set you back $800 when bought before the first service.
The Karoq requires more expensive 95RON or 98RON premium unleaded petrol, which does increase running costs slightly.
Safety
The Skoda Karoq has a five-star ANCAP range based on testing carried out in 2017.
It scored 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 79 per cent for child occupant protection, 73 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 58 per cent for safety assist.
Along with a full suite of airbags, the car features autonomous emergency braking as standard, and the addition of the Travel Pack brings blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the Karoq 110TSI includes:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, DAB+, and Bluetooth streaming
- Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster
- Keyless entry and start
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Privacy glass
- Dual-zone climate control
- LED ambient lighting
- Wireless phone charging
- Rear tablet holders
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
- VarioFlex removable rear seats
- Adaptive cruise control
Moving to the 140TSI Sportline adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Sportline bodykit
- Black exterior trim and badges
- Full LED headlights
- Paddle shifters
- Sport seats trimmed in Thermoflux
A trio of options packages are available. The Tech Pack ($4200) adds:
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation and gesture control
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Power tailgate
- 10-speaker sound system
- DAB digital radio
- Wireless phone charging
- Selectable drive modes
The Travel Pack ($3800) brings:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keeping assist
- Heated front and rear seats
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic jam assist
- Power-folding mirrors
Finally, the Premium Pack ($3700, 110TSI only) gets you:
- 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation and gesture control,
- 10-speaker sound system, semi-autonomous parking
- Powered tailgate
- Selectable drive modes
- Wireless phone charging.
- Full-LED headlights
- Leather upholstery
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Front parking sensors
- Steel pedals
- Power tailgate
