We tested the new Skoda Karoq: a compact SUV that continues to stand out for its space and quality

Following the general trend of all brands, SUVs have become Škoda's bestsellers. The Czech brand has its best-selling models in the Kamiq and the Karoq, and has now renewed the latter to keep it up to date in terms of design and technology. We tested it and we tell you about the first impressions with the new  Škoda Karoq  .

Škoda is one of the brands that has suffered the most from the global microchip crisis that is affecting both the automotive industry and others. Its sales in 2021 increased, but in the first three months of 2022 they fell by 25.4%, remaining at  186,200 units  . Despite this, it remains the  most profitable volume brand of  the Volkswagen Group and its turnover is improving.

 

In Europe, the evolution of Škoda has been  very positive  in recent years, since it has managed to sneak into the Top 10 of the market, with a share of around 4% and the forecast is to settle these levels as soon as the microchip crisis.

The Karoq, a key product for  Škoda

Since its market launch in 2017, the Karoq has been an absolute success in international sales, as evidenced by the more than 364,650 units sold to date.

We are therefore talking about the model which today represents  20% of Škoda's total sales  , the third bestseller in Europe in 2021, and therefore a key element in the good commercial work of the brand.

Another good fact that accompanies Karoq is the fact that  60% of its sales  are for individuals, leaving only 20% for businesses and 10% for rental companies.

Today, this  4.39 meter  long SUV is renewed, and on the outside it does so with a clear objective: to improve its aerodynamic efficiency by 10% to help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. .

For this it has a new design grille, a new bumper that improves the Cd-0.005, a lower part of the bumper with a Cd-0.010 and more aerodynamic wheels that reduce the Cd-0.006 and are available with different designs. at  19 inches  .

To all this we add the arrival of new design front optics with  Matrix LED option  and we will have before us a slight facelift which, although not the most obvious of all, keeps it fresh and renewed.

The aerodynamic work logically does not stop at the front, since there are also changes not visible to the naked eye in the underside of the car, which now allow CO2 emissions to be reduced by -0.6. g/km or details like the spoiler that culminates the roof, with two new and discreet fins, which in turn reduce -1.1g/km.

In this rear door, there are also optics with a new and stylized design. More  minimalist  , they allow the word Škoda which presides in the center of the tailgate to gain presence and give it robustness.

Striking is the design of the rear diffuser located on the underside of the vehicle, with a concave shape.

On the inside

If outside the changes are minimal, inside it is the same thing. In fact, at first glance it is  difficult  to identify what changes compared to the Karoq sold so far.

The SUV debuts in upholstery with new materials. These fabrics are accompanied by new materials applied to the door trim that are both higher quality to the eye and to the touch.

Ambient  lighting  , which are the LED lights that until now crossed the profiles of the front doors and the dashboard giving it an atmosphere with different selectable light tones,  is extended  to the rear doors which now also have this technology .

The trunk remains one of its strengths, since it has a capacity worthy of cars a few centimeters larger. In normal conditions it has  521 liters  , with the VarioFlex system it expands up to 588 liters. If we lower the rear seats with the VarioFlex, we can have 1,630 liters of capacity.

driving prints

Škoda presented the renewed Karoq range in Europe this week, as the cars are now available for order at dealerships. Asked about the delivery times for these models, they told us between five and six months.

For contact we have chosen the version with the 2.0 TDI 150 hp engine with 4x4 transmission and DSG gearbox, although surprisingly in this model 60% of sales are made by the petrol versions, both 1.0 TSI 110 hp and 1.5 TSI of 150 hp and the 2.0 TSI of 190 hp.

The gasoline and diesel engines that apply to this model have received an update called EVO to make them more efficient. It must be taken into account that this platform does not allow micro-hybridization or total hybridization, so any improvement is important to reduce CO2 emissions.

These engine improvements make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 8g/km, even if we add the optimizations made to the gearbox (-1.6g/km), the transmission to the rear axle of the 4x4 ( -1.1 g/km) or brakes (-0.4 g/km), emission reductions can reach up to 10 g/km.

At the wheel, honestly, the variations are barely noticeable. The 2.0 TDI of 150 hp is still this comfortable and efficient SUV that we knew until now. Its 360Nm of torque pick up speed forcefully and it feels very lively.

During the route, we were able to climb up to the Navacerrada pass and take the surrounding roads.