► Skoda Karoq revealed
► It’s the Yeti Mk2!
► Chunky crossover is here
After months of drip-fed information, spy shots and even a thorough drive in a prototype, this is the new Skoda Karoq. Rest in peace, Skoda Yeti – you were loved by us all.
Read on to find out all you need to know about the all-new Skoda Karoq including engine specs, interior details and essential practicality stats.
Check out our prototype review of the Skoda Karoq here
What on earth have they done to the Yeti?!
They’ve normalised it! Gone is the boxy van-with-windows-esque shape, now replaced with a sleeker, if perhaps more boring, look and some classic Skoda design cues.
Angular LED headlights are pasted onto the front of the Tiguan/Ateca body with a set of foglights closely nestled beneath. The bluff nose from the larger Kodiaq is carried across but you can identify the Karoq elsewhere from its chrome side windowline and trademark C-shaped rear lights when they’re lit.
At the very least, buyers will be treated to 16- or 17-inch wheels depending on trim but you can go for rims as large as 19 inches as an option.
Skoda Karoq engines, performance and economy
• 1.0 TSI petrol – 114bhp, 0-62mph in 10.6secs, 45.2mpg
• 1.5 TSI petrol – 148bhp, 0-62mph in 8.4secs, 46.1mpg
• 1.6 TDI diesel – 114bhp, 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds, 52.3mpg
• 2.0 TDI diesel – 148bhp, 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, 53.5mpg
• 2.0 TDI diesel – 188bhp, 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, 44.4mpg (four-wheel drive only)
The three-cylinder 1.0-litre TSI engine furnishes the bottom of the range, much like the Seat Ateca and the new 1.5-litre TSI engine can shut down cylinders for light cruising. Your gearbox choices are either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic, but the top-spec diesel is four-wheel drive and DSG only.
Skoda Karoq interior and infotainment
This will be the first Skoda to introduce the Czech brand’s equivalent of Audi’s Virtual cockpit; a fully digital instrument panel which can offer up to four different display layouts.
For keeping those who aren’t driving entertained, there’s a choice of four infotainment systems, with the most basic Swing system coming with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, two USB slots and four audio speakers. The Bolero has an 8-inch screen, can read out your texts and has Bluetooth, Skoda’s SmartLink+ mobile connectivity and eight speakers.
High-grade Amundsen features a sat-nav, traffic report monitoring and an in-built WiFi hotspot. If you want to splash out, the optional 9.2-inch glass Columbus system has 64GB-worth of storage space so you can keep your music in the car.
Skoda’s Care Connect tech means you can remotely access the car from the Connect app which tells you the car’s status including whether it’s locked or if the windows are open. It also includes an SOS system for emergencies or breakdowns.
Other optional tech includes stuff like blind-spot monitoring, park assist, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control that functions at speeds up to 130mph.
You can also programme a range of settings for each key and tailor various settings for up to three drivers – including the driver’s seating position and air conditioning settings.
Skoda Karoq practicality and boot space
As standard, the Karoq will have a fixed rear seat bench, but the Karoq’s optional VarioFlex seating system means you can individually slide, fold and even completely remove them for an almost van-like load bay.
With the fixed rear seats, boot space is rated at 521 litres (11 more than the Ateca) and can be expanded to 1630 litres. With the sliding VarioFlex seats in place and slid as far forward as they go, there’s 588 litres of room. Take them all out and the Karoq can take on small vans for space, at up to 1810 litres.
Skoda Karoq prices and release date
Skoda wants the Karoq in showrooms in the second half of 2017, with production starting in July (October in China), with prices expected to start at around £18k.
Check out all of our Skoda reviews here