Facelifted Skoda Karoq previewed

Skoda is about to freshen up its popular Skoda Karoq mid-size SUV and, to prove it, the Czech car-maker has released design sketches that reveal the future look of its Mazda CX-5 rival ahead of its November 30 unveiling.

As part of the mid-life makeover, the 2022 Skoda Karoq will clearly mimic the flagship Skoda Kodiaq, with the smaller model getting a deeper front bumper, lower and wider intake, slimline LED headlights and new square fog lamps.

The new grille, meanwhile, resembles the latest Skoda Octavia.

At the rear, the updates continue with a redesigned bumper that boasts a new black diffuser. There's also a larger tailgate spoiler, plus a pair of new tail-lights that get fresh C-shaped light signatures.

New paint and wheel options have also been introduced.

Inside, Skoda has yet to reveal what changes have been made, but expect the Volkswagen Group's 10.25-inch infotainment system to become standard across the range.

Under the bonnet, Skoda is likely to add a new iV-badged plug-in hybrid that will combine a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Combined, the new electrified Karoq should produce around 180kW and feature a 50km pure-electric range.

Elsewhere, the 140kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 110kW 1.5-litre turbo are expected to be carried over, along with the more advanced 110kW 1.5-litre mild-hybrid four-cylinder that's available in Europe.

Just four years since it was introduced, the Skoda Karoq has become the brand's second-best-selling vehicle after the Octavia, with more than 500,000 sold worldwide.