SUVs and crossovers now account for more than a third of new car sales across Europe.
Skoda saw the potential for a smaller SUV/crossover early. The 2009 Yeti was an immediate hit despite (maybe because of) its quirky, edgy, if practical angular profile.
The crossover market now is a very broad church with, at times, some pretty dubious bandying around of the term SUV.
Crossovers are basically ‘jacked-up’ front wheel drive five door hatchbacks with the kind of flexible interiors and seating which has hastened the decline of the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle).
Skoda saw the potential for a smaller SUV/crossover early. The 2009 Yeti was an immediate hit despite (maybe because of) its quirky, edgy, if practical angular profile.
The crossover market now is a very broad church with, at times, some pretty dubious bandying around of the term SUV.
Crossovers are basically ‘jacked-up’ front wheel drive five door hatchbacks with the kind of flexible interiors and seating which has hastened the decline of the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle).
The smaller and cheaper a crossover becomes the greater the tendency to jettison four-wheel drive even as an option.
Skoda however, as with the larger Kodiaq, offers a number of 4x4 versions of the Karoq which replaces the Yeti at the lower end of the mid-size or compact sector. It is a 5-seater whereas the Kodiaq seats seven (5+2).
Kodiaq 4x4s can have 1.4 TSI 150 or 2.0 TSI 180 petrol engines or choice of two 2.0 TDI diesels producing 150 or 190ps.
For the Karoq, 4x4 is available with the 2.0 TDI 150 only and six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed DSG dual clutch auto-box. Actually, Kodiaq or Karoq, the 2.0 TDI 150 coupled to the six-speed manual gearbox is the 4x4 powertrain of choice almost every time.
Skoda however, as with the larger Kodiaq, offers a number of 4x4 versions of the Karoq which replaces the Yeti at the lower end of the mid-size or compact sector. It is a 5-seater whereas the Kodiaq seats seven (5+2).
Kodiaq 4x4s can have 1.4 TSI 150 or 2.0 TSI 180 petrol engines or choice of two 2.0 TDI diesels producing 150 or 190ps.
For the Karoq, 4x4 is available with the 2.0 TDI 150 only and six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed DSG dual clutch auto-box. Actually, Kodiaq or Karoq, the 2.0 TDI 150 coupled to the six-speed manual gearbox is the 4x4 powertrain of choice almost every time.
On a 4x4 Karoq the simple torsion beam rear axle of the front wheel drive models is replaced by a more sophisticated multi-link, fully independent set-up. The 4x4 device is the familiar Haldex type pressure-activated clutch set housed with the back axle.
Normal driving mode is front wheel drive but the system varies the amount of rear wheel drive as circumstances dictate. ‘Drive Mode Select’ lets the driver dial in ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Eco’ or ‘Individual’ to alter the car’s responses – 4x4 variants add ‘Snow’ and ‘Off-Road’ bringing to bear the vehicle’s entire electronic control network.
Driving a Karoq 4x4 is quite different from the front-drive variants. It’s much more like the larger Kodiaq and Skoda’s comfort-focus (as opposed to sister company SEAT’s sharper, sportier orientation) works well here.
Add in some imaginative storage touches (cabin and load-space – there’s an umbrella under the front passenger seat) and the Koraq comes across as a complete and very nicely resolved motor car. Although basically a compact crossover, in 4x4 guise it is a credible light ‘SUV’.
Competition: SEAT Ateca; VW T-Roc/Tiguan; Audi Q2/Q3; Kia Sportage; Hyundai Tucson; BMW X1; Nissan Qashqai; Renault Kadjar; Suzuki SX4 S-Cross.
Range: SE; SE Technology; SE L; Edition; £20,875-£31,690; £25,505-£31,690 (4x4 range). Petrol: 1.0 TSI 115; 1.5 TSI 150. Diesel: 1.6 TDI 115; 2.0 TDI 150.
Facts & Figures:SE 4x4, 2.0 TDI 150, 6-sp man, £25,505*, 121mph; 0-62mph 8.7secs; 56.5mpg (official combined); 43-45mpg on test; CO2 131g/km (1stYr £200* included, £140 thereafter), Insurance Group 15E, Max braked towing weight 2,000kg.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales
Normal driving mode is front wheel drive but the system varies the amount of rear wheel drive as circumstances dictate. ‘Drive Mode Select’ lets the driver dial in ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Eco’ or ‘Individual’ to alter the car’s responses – 4x4 variants add ‘Snow’ and ‘Off-Road’ bringing to bear the vehicle’s entire electronic control network.
Driving a Karoq 4x4 is quite different from the front-drive variants. It’s much more like the larger Kodiaq and Skoda’s comfort-focus (as opposed to sister company SEAT’s sharper, sportier orientation) works well here.
Add in some imaginative storage touches (cabin and load-space – there’s an umbrella under the front passenger seat) and the Koraq comes across as a complete and very nicely resolved motor car. Although basically a compact crossover, in 4x4 guise it is a credible light ‘SUV’.
Competition: SEAT Ateca; VW T-Roc/Tiguan; Audi Q2/Q3; Kia Sportage; Hyundai Tucson; BMW X1; Nissan Qashqai; Renault Kadjar; Suzuki SX4 S-Cross.
Range: SE; SE Technology; SE L; Edition; £20,875-£31,690; £25,505-£31,690 (4x4 range). Petrol: 1.0 TSI 115; 1.5 TSI 150. Diesel: 1.6 TDI 115; 2.0 TDI 150.
Facts & Figures:SE 4x4, 2.0 TDI 150, 6-sp man, £25,505*, 121mph; 0-62mph 8.7secs; 56.5mpg (official combined); 43-45mpg on test; CO2 131g/km (1stYr £200* included, £140 thereafter), Insurance Group 15E, Max braked towing weight 2,000kg.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales
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