Photo: Guido ten Brink/SB-Medien
T-Roc, Amarok, Karoq, notice anything similar from a phonetical standpoint? Despite the similarities between the three, the Czech crossover that shares its platform with the Tiguan is unique in its own way. This became clear at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, where we laid our eyes on the Karoq in the flesh.
Revealed in May 2017, getting up close and personal to the Karoq suggests Skoda was right to veer away from the Yeti. Produced between 2009 and 2017, the Yeti was too old, too boxy, too uninspiring for the refreshed model lineup. And with the Karoq, the Volkswagen-owned manufacturer opens up to a new pool of prospective customers in the market for a veritable crossover.
The modern exterior is complemented by a stylish interior, where legroom is a-OK even for the rear occupants. Cargo capacity isn’t bad either, with the trunk capable of swallowing 521 liters of luggage. Fold the rear seats down, and the Karoq becomes cavernous, boasting a cargo capacity of 1,630 liters.
Available with a digital instrument cluster and the latest touchscreen-based infotainment system with 4G connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot, the newcomer measures 4,382 millimeters in length and 2,638 millimeters in wheelbase. Going for the front-wheel-drive configuration translates to a solid rear axle, while models kitted with all-wheel-drive up the ante with 4-link suspension.
As a reminder this is a crossover and not an Octavia on stilts, the Karoq features a thoroughly chunky gear lever for the dual-clutch transmission. A manual is also available, but it’s the DSG you want for silky-smooth gear shifts and superior fuel economy. When it comes to engines, the high-riding Skoda is available with everything from the 1.0-liter TSI to the 2.0-liter TDI.
It’s the latter plant that offers the most interesting mix of performance and frugality, with the four-cylinder turbo diesel rated at 190 metric horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. With this engine, the Karoq will thrust to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, and it’s capable of returning 5.3 liters/100 km combined.
Already on sale in its domestic market, the Czech interloper starts at 529,900 koruna. Over in Germany, the figure translates to 24,290 euros, thus undercutting its platform brother from Volkswagen 2,285 euros. The SEAT Ateca is even cheaper at 19,990 euros, though it's an idea smaller.
The modern exterior is complemented by a stylish interior, where legroom is a-OK even for the rear occupants. Cargo capacity isn’t bad either, with the trunk capable of swallowing 521 liters of luggage. Fold the rear seats down, and the Karoq becomes cavernous, boasting a cargo capacity of 1,630 liters.
Available with a digital instrument cluster and the latest touchscreen-based infotainment system with 4G connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot, the newcomer measures 4,382 millimeters in length and 2,638 millimeters in wheelbase. Going for the front-wheel-drive configuration translates to a solid rear axle, while models kitted with all-wheel-drive up the ante with 4-link suspension.
As a reminder this is a crossover and not an Octavia on stilts, the Karoq features a thoroughly chunky gear lever for the dual-clutch transmission. A manual is also available, but it’s the DSG you want for silky-smooth gear shifts and superior fuel economy. When it comes to engines, the high-riding Skoda is available with everything from the 1.0-liter TSI to the 2.0-liter TDI.
It’s the latter plant that offers the most interesting mix of performance and frugality, with the four-cylinder turbo diesel rated at 190 metric horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. With this engine, the Karoq will thrust to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, and it’s capable of returning 5.3 liters/100 km combined.
Already on sale in its domestic market, the Czech interloper starts at 529,900 koruna. Over in Germany, the figure translates to 24,290 euros, thus undercutting its platform brother from Volkswagen 2,285 euros. The SEAT Ateca is even cheaper at 19,990 euros, though it's an idea smaller.
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