Skoda Karoq SUV model range expands

The Skoda Karoq medium SUV range has doubled – from one to two models.

Formerly available in just one variant – the $32,990 Karoq 110TSI, a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol front-wheel drive vehicle – the medium SUV now moves upmarket with the release of the Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline.

Arriving in Australia this month in limited numbers, the new variant is priced at $39,990, not including on-road costs.

It comes with a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, the same powerplant (EA888) from the Golf GTI, albeit with slightly less power and torque (140kW/320Nm).

However, the detuned engine still runs on a strict diet of high-octane premium petrol, as it is one of the few vehicles sold in Australia to be fitted with a cleaner-running petrol particulate filter.

Competing in the same segment as vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5, the new Skoda Karoq Sportline gets all-wheel drive – a first for the nameplate in Australia – and the more powerful engine. The Sportline variant features bigger alloy wheels (19-inch) and a sports body kit with black highlights for a more athletic look and feel.

Other standard features on the up-spec Karoq Sportline include adaptive LED headlights that can illuminate around corners, perforated leather upholstery, stainless steel pedals, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (replacing the eight-speed conventional automatic) with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

An infotainment touchscreen is standard and, as with all 2020 Skoda vehicles except for the Fabia compact car, the Karoq comes with a digital instrument cluster, or Virtual Cockpit.

The Skoda Karoq has a very flexible boot, with a minimum of 479 litres of cargo space that expands to 588 litres when the varioflex back seat bench slides forward a handful of centimetres. The back seats can be folded flat (1605 litres) or completely removed (1810 litres), creating a van-like space in the back.

Like all Skoda vehicles sold in Australia, Karoq SUVs come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and a capped-price service program with intervals every 12 months or 15,000km.

Skoda will follow the launch of the new flagship Karoq variant with the Kodiaq RS, which is also due this month, and the Skoda Kamiq small SUV coming in July.

Skoda Australia Director Michael Irmer said the new 2020 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline is the "…sporting choice" and "is built at our Czech factory with a filtered engine".

The Skoda exec reiterated the need to use high-quality fuel with the SUV.

"We emphasise the necessity of using premium fuel only. You’ll be rewarded with the most engaging drive of any SUV at this price," he said.

Skoda Karoq sales are up 61 per cent year on year, from 130 to 210 sales. Nevertheless, it's a long way off the pace from its German sibling, the Volkswagen Tiguan (961 sales) and miles off this year's top-selling medium SUV to date, the Toyota RAV4 (5665 sales).

How much does the Skoda Karoq cost?
Karoq 110TSI - $29,990 (manual)
Karoq 110TSI - $32,990 (auto)
Karoq 140TSI Sportline - $39,990 (auto)

*Not including on-road costs