2018 Skoda Karoq pricing revealed

Skoda’s foray into the booming mid-size SUV segment, the Karoq, will land in Australian showrooms in July priced from $29,990 plus on-road costs.

The Czech manufacturer has unveiled pricing and specification details of its five-seat high-rider, which will be initially available solely as a front-drive petrol offering.

Employing a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol, the Karoq 1.5 TSI sends drive through the front wheels via choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic . Power is rated at 110kW and torque at 250Nm, while fuel use is claimed to number 5.7L/100km in automatic guise.

While compact, the Karoq’s front-drive mill can turn around a 0-100km/h time of 8.4 seconds in manual form, or 8.6 seconds in automatic guise. A more powerful all-wheel drive version tipped to land in 2019 will bring that time down considerably.

Chief among the Karoq’s standard highlights are ‘VarioFlex’ seats that enable occupants to completely remove the three rear seats from the cabin.

With a regular five-seat configuration in place, the cabin offers a credible 479 litres of luggage space; this opens up to 588 litres with the rear pews pushed forward. This space is liberated further to 1605 litres with the rear seats stowed flat, and 1810 litres with the rear bleachers completely removed.

In equipment terms, the mid-sizer offers 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, eight-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight-speaker stereo, alarm with interior monitoring, dual zone climate control, LED daytime running lights and interior lights, and electric parking brake.

On the safety front, the standard offering includes: adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (city), seven airbags, driver fatigue detection, reversing camera and rear parking sensors with braking assistant.

As with many new Skodas, the Karoq will be offered in Australia with optional equipment packages.

These include the Premium Pack, at $3600 (full LED headlights with adaptive frontlight system, leather-appointed upholstery, 18-inch wheels, front parking sensors, automatic tail gate and steel pedals), the $3200 Tech Pack (hands-free electric tailgate, upgraded infotainment and speaker system, ParkAssist, drive mode select, wireless charging and digital radio ) and the $1700 travel pack (lane assist, blind spot detection, rear traffic alert, electric driver’s seat, foldable auto-dimming rear view mirrors, heated front seats).

The Karoq goes on sale on July 2.

6 speed manual - $29,990 (plus on-road costs)

7 speed DSG - $32,290 (plus on-road costs)