Skoda Karoq – What you need to know

The popular Skoda Karoq was launched in 2018 in front-wheel drive guise only. In mid-2020, a sporty all-wheel drive model was added, doubling the line-up to tackle the cut-throat mid-size SUV segment.

Armed with plenty of safety and driver assist tech, and many clever features, the high-riding Skoda Karoq is likely to make the shortlist of many buyers.

Let’s take a closer look at the specs and pricing to see which Karoq takes your fancy.

At $34,590 plus on-road costs, the entry-level Karoq 110TSI comes with the following standard features:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Virtual cockpit
• 8.0-inch infotainment display
• Dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality
• Adaptive cruise control
• Seven airbags
• Reversing camera
• Privacy glass for rear passengers
• LED torch in luggage area

Both the Skoda Karoq and Karoq Sportline can be enhanced with the Tech Pack for $4200, delivering a larger 9.2-inch infotainment screen with sat-nav and gesture control operation. You also get Driving mode selection (standard on the Sportline), allowing you to select different modes for different conditions or moods.

A premium sound system is added along with wireless phone charging, a powered tailgate, parking assist (where the car does it for you) and personalisation of the three keys, to save your settings.

Finally, we have the $3800 Travel Pack and with it comes (for the entry Karoq only) a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, folding door mirrors with memory function and leather seat upholstery. For both models there are assist functions for lane keeping, blind spot detection, traffic jams and emergencies plus a rear traffic alert. Exclusive to the Sportline are adaptive chassis control with dynamic steering and front and rear heated seats.

Sunroof? You can have it on both variants for an extra $1900.

The Skoda Karoq and Karoq Sportline have seven airbags installed (including a driver’s knee bag), plus anti-lock brakes and electronic traction and stability control.

Add to the specification front assist with emergency braking, driver steering recommendation and fatigue detection, a rain braking system to maximise braking in wet conditions, multi-collision braking mitigation, rear parking sensors with auto braking, tyre pressure monitoring, rear LED brake and fog lights along with activation of warning lights in the event of impact.

And to make reversing safer and easier, there’s a rear-view camera fitted too.

If you step up to the Sportline you also get adaptive LED headlights and daytime running lights instead of the halogen versions on the entry model.

Both Skoda Karoq models have an 8.0-inch infotainment system from where the audio streaming, Bluetooth phone pairing, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functions can be activated.

Once exclusive to luxury cars, a customisable virtual cockpit is standard in both Karoq models, allowing you to change the dash layout and toggle through music, navigation and vehicle stats on the go.

Other standard features across both models include dual-zone air-conditioning, waste bins in the door pockets, ticket holders on the A-pillar, and an air-conditioned glove box. Both also have LED reading lights and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

However, only the base Karoq has a split-fold rear seat that’s also removable to greatly expand the cargo area.

Cup holders in the front and bottle holders in all doors are standard on both, as are numerous storage nooks throughout.

However, if sports front seats are what you want, head over to the Karoq Sportline, which also comes with folding door mirrors with heating and automatic dimming, plus the convenience of a 12-volt socket in the cargo area and a pair of computer tablet holders for rear seat passengers.

Does changing to different drive modes sound tempting? It’s the Sportline for you then, and that means you avail yourself of an engine sound enhancer and the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which comes with shift paddles.

The Sportline also distinguishes itself from the entry-level Karoq with the addition of 19-inch alloy wheels over 17-inch alloys.

While the Karoq sports chrome around the grille, window frames and silver for the roof rails, the Sportline’s unique look is achieved courtesy of black door mirrors, window frames, grille surround, roof rails and black lettering on the tailgate.

Inside, the blacked-out theme continues in the Sportline with a black roof lining and pillars, plus gloss black on the dash, carbon door trims and sports pedals.

Two drivelines make up the Skoda Karoq range. The Karoq 110TSI is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine rated at 110kW/250Nm and bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving just the front wheels.

Powering the Karoq 140TSI Sportline is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that channels its 140kW and 320Nm to the road via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto, all-wheel drive and drive mode selection.

If you only drive the entry-level Skoda Karoq, I have no doubt you will be more than satisfied with its performance and economy.

It boasts a lot of comfort and convenience features plus a solid safety arsenal, and I am a big fan of the Skoda cleverness, such as the waste bins in the door pockets, the LED torch in the luggage area and varying-size cup and bottle holders, to name a few.

Although it’s a $6700 price hike to the Karoq Sportline, it has additional goodies, all-wheel drive and the greater performance of the bigger turbocharged engine, making this variant the one for which I would queue.

How much does the Skoda Karoq cost?
110TSI 1.4-litre front-wheel drive – $34,590
140TSI Sportline 2.0-litre all-wheel drive – $41,290
*Prices exclude on-road costs