Skoda Karoq is a strong family SUV with clever seating, a large boot and enough cabin space for passengers. It is pleasant to drive, with good comfort and visibility and a well-finished interior. Skoda does not plan a hybrid Karoq; if you want a hybrid family SUV, the Kia Sportage is worth a look.
In a growing, crowded SUV market, the Karoq stands out as a sensible mix of practicality, comfort and efficiency. This mid-size SUV, offered with petrol or diesel, sits near the top of its peer group.
SUV demand still dominates, and the segment keeps widening as battery technology improves and more electric models arrive.
For now, the Skoda Karoq remains in the conventional camp. With a 1.5-litre petrol engine, it behaves like a mobile family base. It slots between the smaller Kamiq and the larger Kodiaq, and targets the same buyers as the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai.
The Karoq has been on sale since 2018, when it replaced the popular Yeti. A mid-life facelift in spring 2022 brought design tweaks plus interior and engine updates.
With generous dimensions for a mid-size family car, the Karoq has a strong road presence. The cabin is spacious and well laid out—something buyers notice quickly. Styling is conventional rather than trendy, which may help it age calmly.
Sportline is the best-selling Karoq grade, and its standard equipment is one of the model’s main draws.
Comfort defines the interior. During our tests, several family members—some taller than 1.80 m—commented on headroom front and rear and on leg space.
The 1.5-litre petrol delivers power similar to the Kia Sportage’s 1.6 and slightly below the Nissan Qashqai’s 1.3, putting the Karoq in the middle of the pack.
The Karoq drives well, with enough performance for easy urban use.
It belongs among mid-size SUVs that look good, carry people comfortably and keep fuel use in check.
If you are cross-shopping the Karoq, consider the Citroën C5 Aircross, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, MG HS, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, Renault Kadjar, SEAT Ateca, SsangYong Korando, Subaru XV, Suzuki S-Cross, Toyota C-HR, Vauxhall Grandland X or Volkswagen Tiguan.
