7

Skoda has given its small crossover a minor facelift; we try it in its strangely powerful 2.0 TSI form

The Volkswagen Group brands have a habit of offering strangely powerful non-hybridised petrol engines in models with relatively little sporting intent. So while most examples of the Skoda Karoq, the Czech manufacturer’s small crossover, will be fitted with a 148bhp 1.5 TSI, you can also get one with a 187bhp 2.0 TSI engine and four-wheel drive.

That version, in top-spec Sportline trim, is what we have here. We’re driving a Skoda Karoq again because it has just been facelifted. You would be forgiven for having missed that news, because the changes are pretty minor.

On the outside, the bumpers have been given the usual nip and tuck, there's a longer rear spoiler and two new paint colours and the headlights are slimmer than before, with the option of LED matrix units.

Inside, there are a few new choices of seat upholstery.

The Karoq has been around since 2017, making it one of the older cars in the segment that includes the Kia SportageSeat AtecaNissan Qashqai and Toyota RAV4 but also a few smaller, supposedly more stylish options like the Toyota C-HR and Volkswagen T-Roc.

Unusually for a Skoda, it’s at the less spacious end of that class.

Unfortunately, it isn’t any cheaper than most rivals, either. The 1.5 TSI automatic in the cheapest (but reasonably well-equipped) SE Drive trim starts from £29,055, which is roughly the same as a Qashqai or T-Roc but more expensive than a Sportage. Go for a 2.0 TSI Sportline, like our test car, and that jumps to £37,725. In fact, our particular Karoq had a few other options on it, making it even pricier, at £40,440.

16 Skoda karoq 2022 fd front corner

The 2.0 TSI Sportline is likely to be a rare sight, then, but that won’t be because it’s no good. In fact, in many ways, some of today’s Skodas are very much like Volkswagens of 10 years ago.

They aren’t particularly flash, they’re neither the sportiest nor the comfiest choice and their interiors don't have that ‘premium’ sheen of an Audi or Mercedes-Benz, but they strike a nice balance in all those areas.

To top it off, the interior feels well-built and intuitive to use, thanks to plenty of chunky physical controls. Even the infotainment in this one is a pretty decent effort, with a selection of shortcut buttons and none of the glitchiness of newer Volkswagen Group products.

Back to top

This moderately brisk Sportline impresses on the road, too. With a 0-62mph time of 7.0sec, it easily zips past slower traffic, and you can make good progress when the roads are clear.

Annoyingly, that's accompanied by fake V8 noises when in Sport driving mode.

If you don’t boot it all the time, you might even see 40mpg on a motorway cruise. The Sportage needs a battery and an electric motor helping out to achieve those kinds of figures in the real world.

06 Skoda karoq 2022 fd dashboard

On its adaptive dampers, this Karoq rides quite softly, although potholes can trip it up and cause some crashiness. At 70mph, the cabin remains pleasantly quiet. Good grip and precise, well-weighted steering mean the Sportline branding is more than blind optimism.

So, is it worth £40,000? Even in today’s crazy car market, that might be rather ambitious, because there are plenty of alternatives at that price, including some other Skodas. The much more practical Skoda Superb Estate with the same engine will set you back no more. There are plenty of plug-in hybrid options to choose from, too, which will be more appealing for company-car drivers.

The Karoq still has plenty going for it, but the 1.5 TSI will be a smarter buy than this 2.0 TSI.

Back to top

17 Skoda karoq 2022 fd rear static

PRICES & SPECS

Illya Verpraet

Illya Verpraet Road Tester Autocar
Title: Road Tester

As part of Autocar’s road test team, Illya drives everything from superminis to supercars, and writes reviews, comparison tests, as well as the odd feature and news story. 

Much of his time is spent wrangling the data logger and wielding the tape measure to gather the data for Autocar’s eight-page road tests, which are the most rigorous in the business thanks to independent performance, fuel consumption and noise figures.

Join the debate

Comments
14
Add a comment…
Gerhard 8 July 2022

£40k for a jacked-up Golf?? They're losing the plot...

xxxx 20 July 2022

Bargain then as a 4x4 2.0 Golf R is more than 40k.

Deputy 5 July 2022

But this comes as a 7 seater which none of the others listed in the article or comments are!!  So as a nippy, sportyish, good size family 7 seater it works well.

Will86 5 July 2022
This is a Karoq, not a Kodiaq. As for the price, given the shift the economy and consumer spending power, surely car buyers are going to be looking harder at their monthly payments and this era of huge car price rises might be nearing an end
Deputy 6 July 2022

Duh!  Shame I can't delete the post!!!  Thanks

ianp55 5 July 2022

It might be more sensible to offer the petrol 4x4 option in the lower level SE & SEL trims,the high cost of the Sportline trim level would deter some punters also add a manual option as well.