The big small car.
Czech carmaker Skoda has released details on its new Karoq compact SUV, due to make Australian landfall in July. The Karoq is essentially Volkswagen’s T-Roc in a new, Czech frock, though to our eyes, this might be the better-looking car…
Anyway. The Karoq will arrive on our shores in just one guise with one powertrain, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mill. Mated to a six-speed manual as standard, output is rated at 110kW and 250Nm, with power going exclusively to the front wheels. So configured, the century sprint is completed in 8.4-seconds, while fuel consumption is rated at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Option on the 7-speed DSG automatic, and the price rises from $29,990 to $32,290, fuel consumption climbs to 5.8L/100km, and the century sprint takes 0.2-seconds longer.
The spec at launch will be rather generous, given its sub-$30k pricetag. You’ll find things like 17-inch alloys, keyless entry and go, an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple & Android smartphone mirroring. You’ll also find rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, and 8-speaker audio system, LED interior lighting, an electric parking brake, and LED daytime running lights.
Want more? Also standard are automatic lights, automatic wipers, fog lights in the front, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, two tablet holders for rear passengers, and a luggage compartment mat that’s reversible, depending on whether you need something durable or something comfortable.
Safety features includes things like AEB, intelligent cruise control, a reversing camera, seven-airbags, and a driver drowsiness monitor that alerts the driver should the car detect the usual signs of fatigue and tiredness.
Since there’s only one Karoq to have at present, Skoda’s augmented the small lineup by offering various optional packages. The most affordable is what we think is the most critical, called the Travel Pack ($1700). This optional package adds lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, electric drivers’ seat, auto-dimming & auto-folding side mirrors, and heated front seats.
If you have more cash in your pocket still you can get the Tech Pack for $3200. This will add a kick-to-open automatic boot, a 9.2-inch infotainment screen with gesture control & DAB digital radio, Park Assist (parallel, reverse, and forward-perpendicular parking), a drive-mode selector, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker audio system.
Further, there’s a Premium Pack for $3600 that adds lots of look-at-me bits like full-LED headlights with adaptive beams, full leather upholstery, front parking sensors, an electric tailgate, and aluminium pedals.
To simplify things, you could just opt for the $8900 Launch Pack, which throws all of those things in together, and then justifies the extra $400 by throwing in a three-year/45,000km service package. Further individual options include a panoramic sunroof for $1900, metallic/pearlescent paint or 19-inch alloy wheels, for $700 each.
The Skoda Karoq goes on sale on July 2nd, with the 1.5TSI Manual going for $29,990 and the 1.5TSI DSG auto going for $32,290. Buyers who might be pining after Volkswagen’s great ‘Active Info’ digital instrument cluster will have to wait through, as global demand means that that option won’t be making its way here until the end of 2018.
For more information on Skoda, check out our Showroom.
