This time, a novelty from the Skoda brand passed the editorial test.
It was a Skoda Karoq with a turbocharged 16-cylinder diesel engine in combination with a DSG automatic dual-clutch transmission.
Karoq enters the car market as a successor to the Skoda Yeti, with the ambition to build on the success of its larger sibling, which is none other than the Skoda Kodiaq .
The popularity of the family SUV category has been quite undeniable recently. Skoda, with the deployment of its second model in this category, is certainly heading for the black.
Its concern sibling is the popular Seat Ateca, with which they are jointly produced in Kvasiny.
EXTERIOR
The external appearance of the Skoda Karoq is in the spirit of the car manufacturer's design, it is easy to read and clearly classified.
The car company's design has recently been a kind of wave of classicism, likability and pure elegance. Her cars are not in any way condescending and look very decent. Of course, the Skoda Karoq is also designed in this spirit.
Its similarity and possible interchangeability with the Kodiaq is spot on. In the front part, the cars are really very similar, the main distinguishing feature is the angularity of the Karoq headlights. As part of the rear part, their recognizability is noticeably better.
However, I personally find the Karoq more elegant in its overall proportions and individual details compared to the Kodiaq. But it is clear that the difference between these cars is not in their external appearance.
The tested version was fitted with seventeen-inch wheels, certainly a good choice in terms of driving comfort, but in terms of appearance I would have preferred an inch larger.
INTERIOR
The interior of the tested version was a combination of light and dark colors, this combination was mostly used by the seats, door panels and dashboard of the car.
It was a very elegant combination, maybe not practical for everyone, but still a thumbs up.
As for the ergonomics of the interior, Skoda is traditionally excellent there.
I like how they work with the saving of interior space, it can be seen, for example, in the depth of the dashboard, or in the thickness of the door panels themselves, Skoda cleverly saves every centimeter here.
The dashboard of the Karoq is very clear and easy to control. Its center of gravity was the touch screen of the Columbus multimedia system with a diagonal of 9.2 inches in the version we tested. This is a design that is completely tactile. In terms of graphics or control, absolutely no comments.
The central tunnel also houses the air conditioning controls, driving assistant controls and the DSG automatic transmission selector, all of which are again very clear and easy to control.
The steering wheel of the tested version of the Karoq was multifunctional, you can use it to control the on-board computer, audio system and telephone.
The car's cruise control is traditionally controlled by a separate lever on the left under the steering wheel.
The tested version was equipped with classic indicators of a speedometer and a tachometer (the possibility of fully digital devices will come next year), between which a color digital display of the on-board computer was placed, displaying all the necessary data on consumption, navigation, audio system, cruise control, etc.
Karoq has a large interior space, especially in terms of height, even taller figures will not have a problem in the car.
The seats in the test car were cloth, heated, in a combination of dark and light colors, with good lateral guidance and fully electric adjustment.
The rear seats are offered in two versions, as a classic bench with a folding asymmetrical backrest, or the VarioFlex system, which has three separate removable seats.
Its advantage is the possibility of increasing the luggage space by moving one of the seats, and then the positionability of the backrest, while the disadvantage is a certain narrowness, which is determined by the shape of the individual seat backrests.
Compared to its predecessor Skoda Yeti, the Skoda Karoq grew by approx. 16 cm in length and 4 cm in width. It therefore has a large interior space, luggage space and its basic volume is 521 liters.
ENGINE AND RIDE
Skoda currently offers a pair of petrol and a pair of diesel engines within the Karoq model.
Gasoline engines have volumes of one and one and a half liters. The one-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine is equipped with a turbo with an output of 85 kW. The one and a half liter four-cylinder engine has a power of 110 kW.
There is also a sharper version of the Skoda Karoq with the Sportline designation, which will be equipped with a two-liter gasoline engine.
Diesel versions are offered in volumes of sixteen hundred and two liters. Sixteen with 85 kW and two-liter with 110 kW, which is mainly offered with four-wheel drive.
The tested version was equipped with a diesel four-cylinder turbocharged sixteen-cylinder engine with an output of 85 kW. Its performance in the test appeared to be completely sufficient.
The combination of this engine and the automatic, seven-speed, dual-clutch DSG gearbox, which drove only the front axle, worked flawlessly. Its shifting is smooth, without feeling a change in speed or quality.
Its stated consumption is around 4.5 l, we drove it with a consumption of around 6 l as part of the editorial test.
Skoda Karoq offers you four driving modes.
These are normal, eco, sport and individual modes. The first three of course play with the engine speed or with the timing of shifting individual gear stages, the fourth individual allows you to individually set individual parameters such as the power steering mode or the start x stop system.
The tested version was also equipped with the "Front assist" safety assistant, which monitors the space in front of you and starts braking on its own if necessary. Used once as part of editorial test.
The Karoq is set in more of a comfort mode within its chassis and steering. Its neutrality is in place within a wide range of customers.
CONCLUSION
The Skoda Karoq is a classic family SUV that, thanks to its versatility, large interior space and the choice of driving one or both axles, will appeal to a wide range of potential users.
The price policy of the Skoda Karoq is not entirely favorable, the basic version is offered from CZK 529,900, when you get a liter gasoline engine and the basic Ambition equipment.
The price of the tested model in the given configuration was CZK 878,600.
Even so, it is clear that for this price you are getting a perfectly functioning, spacious and family car with the stamp of a premium car, and we have no choice but to recommend it.
