2020 Skoda Karoq Overview

Skoda SUVs have had a lukewarm welcome in India, proper from the Yeti in 2010, which was a automotive far forward of its time; to the Kodiaq which was launched in 2016. However there have been classes learnt from each these launches and primarily based on its learnings from the Kodiaq, as a result of it was the higher obtained of the 2 within the nation, Skoda launched the alternative for the Yeti – the extra compact, up to date and classy Karoq. Based mostly on the identical platform because the Kodiaq (VW’s MQB) it would not have been cost-effective for the corporate to carry the SUV to India through the CKD (Utterly Knocked Down) route, because it did with the Kodiaq

Nevertheless, in 2018, the Authorities of India revised its import obligation insurance policies permitting every producer to yearly import 2,500 items of foreign-made autos, which already adjust to worldwide laws, with out homologation. And Skoda jumped onto the chance to carry the Karoq right here. The truth is, Skoda even invited us to Czech Republic final yr to supply us a small style of the Karoq, at its house turf, and you may learn all about it right here. Earlier this yr, in Might 2020 the corporate lastly launched the SUV in India, and we have lastly acquired our fingers on the automotive.

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The Skoda Karoq’s design is closely impressed by the Kodiaq, together with the grille, LED headlamps and the general silhouette

Design and Styling

You take a look at the SUV and it’s clear as day that the Skoda Karoq’s design is closely impressed by the corporate’s flagship SUV, Kodiaq. The truth is, one may say it is basically a downsized model of the latter, and that is definitely not a nasty factor. Now the mannequin we drove final yr was the particular Sportline trim, nonetheless, the Karoq launched in India is the common trim. This implies all that shiny black exterior components, sporty body-coloured bumper, and the deep crimson paint job, have been changed by body-coloured or chrome components, black cladding and a extra sober color palette, respectively. Having mentioned that, the SUV is available in just one, absolutely loaded, top-spec variant that will get all of the bells and whistles.

The Skoda Karoq comes with a set of 17-inch Aronia alloy wheels that get this sporty twin-5-spoke V design sample

Upfront, the Karoq will get the signature butterfly grille, flanked by a set of rectangular LED headlights with Skoda’s crystalline design components and built-in LED daytime working lamps. Beneath, you have got the acquainted trapezoidal foglamps as properly. The bumper homes a large airdam and it additionally comes with black underbody cladding that’s prolonged onto the edges as properly. The SUV runs on a set of 17-inch dual-tone Aronia alloy wheels that get this sporty twin-5-spoke V design sample. The SUV additionally will get a pair of silver roof rails which are very a lot purposeful, together with a set of LED taillights that include distinctive C-shaped information lights. Additionally, not like the mannequin we drove earlier, the India-spec Karoq will get the brand new model emblem with the big Skoda lettering on the tailgate and sure it is a good contact.

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The Skoda Karoq will get the carmaker’s new emblem sample on the rear with the big ‘Skoda’ lettering and LED taillamps

Inside and Cabin Options

Step inside, and you will be welcomed by a premium trying beige and black dual-tone cabin that comes with nice match and end. Whereas the cabin is definitely signature Skoda, the carmaker has made ample use of soft-touch plastic in designing the dashboard and door panels, plus the steering wheel and equipment lever too come wrapped in leather-based. We’d have preferred a flat-bottom steering wheel just like the one within the Sportline variant we examined final yr as a result of it appears to be like so sporty. Nonetheless, this comes with controls for audio, voice command, cruise management and the remainder of the options of the digital cockpit, which may be accessed by the absolutely digital TFT infotainment show. Nevertheless, the centre of attraction is the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which comes with extra intuitive animations, reside picture icons, and the SmartLink system that options Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. You additionally get navigation that may be displayed on the instrument cluster.

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The Skoda Karoq comes with twin tone beige and black inside with electrically adjustable driver’s seat

The SUV additionally comes with a dual-zone Climatronic air conditional system with Air Care operate the makes use of sensors to measure the inside air high quality and humidity and routinely recirculates the air if extreme air air pollution is detected. Oh sure, the Karoq additionally comes with a big panoramic sunroof. As for the seats, they’re well-bolstered and are available draped in beige leather-based upholstery. You additionally get a 12-way electrically adjustable driver seat with programmable reminiscence features and lumbar help.

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The big panoramic sunroof of the Skoda Karoq is one in every of its massive cabin highlights

Nevertheless, Skoda has missed out on options like ventilated seats or perhaps a wi-fi cellphone charger, which are actually supplied in decrease section SUVs as properly. Additionally, there aren’t any media buttons on the rear, which suggests if you’re going to spend extra time on the again seat, then you’ll need the assistance of your chauffeur to regulate the audio system, Air-Con system and even the sunroof. The rear seats comes with a 60:40 break up with adjustable headrest and three-point seatbelts for all three passengers, though if solely two persons are sitting on the again then you’ll be able to pull out the foldable central armrest for a bit extra consolation. The armrest additionally comes with cup holders, and beneath the rear AC vents, there’s a 12-Volt charging socket as properly. There may be ample quantity of leg, knee and headroom on the again, and the bigger home windows definitely add to the sense of roominess.

On the rear, the Karoq comes with 60:40 break up seats with 3-point seatbelts and adjustable headrests

The Karoq comes with a big, 521-litre boot house, which is large enough to suit a few massive suitcases, plus it additionally comes with further facet hooks to hold your procuring luggage. In the event you want extra space than the baggage space may be prolonged as much as 1,630-litre by folding down the rear seats. Compared, the now discontinued Skoda Kodiaq used to supply a 270-litre boot house with all 7-seats within the upright place, however with an choice to develop it as much as 630-litre or 2005-litre, by folding the third and 2nd rows respectively.

The Skoda Karoq additionally comes with a big 521-litre baggage house which may be expanded as much as 1630-litre

Security Options

Contemplating the Skoda Karoq is available in just one top-spec variant, the record of normal security options on provide is intensive. For starters, the SUV comes with 9 airbags in complete, together with twin entrance airbags, facet airbags at entrance and rear, driver knee airbag in addition to curtain airbags at entrance and rear, which itself is a section benchmark. Then you have got options like ABS with EBS, Digital Stability Management MBA (Mechanical Brake Help), MKB (Multi Collision Brake), HBA (Hill Brake Help), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), EDS (Digital Differential Lock), and an electromechanical parking brake with Auto Maintain operate. You additionally get tyre strain monitoring system, entrance and rear parking sensors, rear digital camera, keyless entry and, in fact, rain-sensing wipers and computerized headlamps as properly.

The Skoda Karoq comes with computerized headlamps, tyre strain monitoring system and entrance and rear parking sensors

Engine and Transmission

The Skoda Karoq is powered by the identical 1.5-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine that we had examined final yr in Prague, nonetheless, the distinction right here is that the engine is now BS6 compliant. Having mentioned that, the engine makes the identical 148 bhp, nonetheless, it likes to be revved onerous, and it feels alive solely above 3000 rpm, whereas peak energy is achieved someplace round 6000 rpm. As for the torque, the engine develops a peak out of 250 Nm, and it’s accessible from as little as 1500 rpm and goes all the best way as much as 3500 rpm, thus providing a great low- and mid-range.

The Skoda Karoq comes with a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine that’s tuned to make 148 bhp and 250 Nm torque

The Karoq additionally properly bridges the hole between being a snug freeway cruiser and a handy city SUV. The engine feels bulletproof and might cowl lengthy kilometres, all day lengthy, with out breaking a sweat, and on the identical time, it additionally maintains its refined nature in stop-and-go-traffic of town. And all that is introduced collectively by the tried and examined 7-speed DSG computerized transmission, which additionally comes with a handbook mode with paddle shifters. When you do really feel it when the gear, however the gearbox is sort of exact and it does a positive job of sending energy to the entrance wheels. That is proper, the India-spec mannequin just isn’t an all-wheel drive mannequin. 

The Skoda Karoq comes with the tried and examined 7-speed DSG computerized transmission with a handbook mode and paddle shifters

Whereas driving within the metropolis you’ll be able to simply go away it in computerized mode and let the DSG unit do what it does greatest. However out on the freeway there is a need to have interaction your self extra with the automotive and that is the place the paddle shifters turn out to be useful. Oh, earlier than I overlook, the SUV additionally comes with Idle Cease-Begin operate, which ought to provide help to preserve some gas.

The Skoda Karoq completely performs the twin function of being a snug freeway cruiser and a handy city SUV

Experience and Dealing with

By way of trip and dealing with, now we have to say, the Karoq simply feels excellent. Initially, you may really feel that the suspension is ready a bit on the stiffer facet, however after spending a while driving the automotive you get used to it. That is additionally as a result of the Karoq actually glides over tough patches simply, and until it is a massive pothole, you barely really feel the undulations on the highway. The SUV feels planted, particularly round corners, and its compact proportions make it very manageable in visitors and slender roads. Moreover, the steering additionally weighs up properly and gives good suggestions, imparting extra confidence within the driver.

The Skoda Karoq is just supplied in FWD choice and it additionally comes with Idle Cease-Begin operate

As for the NVH ranges, I’ve to say, it is definitely one the quietest cabins I’ve skilled in current instances. Skoda has achieved a positive job of insulating the SUV, and there are occasions when you’ll be able to barely hear even the engine noise until you have been flooring the accelerator to hearken to that lovely rumble of the turbocharged motor. Nevertheless, as already talked about, not like the worldwide spec mannequin which additionally will get All Wheel Drive (AWD) choice, the India-spec Karoq is Entrance Wheel Drive (FWD) solely.

The Skoda Karoq is available in just one absolutely loaded variant and is priced at Rs. 24.99 lakh

Verdict

The Skoda Karoq involves India as a very constructed unit and thus has a premium price ticket hooked up to it – Rs. 24.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Compared, its counterpart from Volkswagen India, the T-Roc, is cheaper by Rs. 5 lakh, nonetheless, it’s smaller and appears a bit crossover-ish in entrance of the Karoq. Additionally, the T-Roc’s cabin just isn’t as premium and spacious as its Czech cousin. However, the top-spec petrol variants of the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson are cheaper by Rs. 3 lakh and Rs. 1.5 lakh respectively. So, sure, the Karoq is the costliest petrol SUV on this section. Nevertheless, for that worth, you get a succesful and really snug SUV that provides a number of premium options, and a strong turbo petrol engine. To high all of it, the carmaker can also be providing its 4 years / 100,000 Km guarantee and the Skoda Defend Plus that provides 6 years guarantee, 6 years road-side help and 4 years upkeep bundle with the Karoq.

Whereas the SUV does make a powerful case for itself, Skoda might have definitely gone with a extra aggressive pricing technique given the truth that the Karoq is the one SUV in its portfolio proper now and the competitors is hard. So sure, the Karoq is a bit costly, and if that is a deal-breaker for you, then the Compass and the Tucson facelift provide extra worth on paper, and if you don’t thoughts lacking out on some options then the T-Roc is price contemplating as a less expensive various. Nevertheless, we’ll quickly check the Tucson and the T-Roc as properly, after which, we’ll have the ability to let you know which is the best choice.

Photographs: Pawan Dagia