The new Skoda Karoq SUV goes on sale in February in three different trim levels
- Tweaked exterior design
- Revised engine range
- On sale 17th February from £25,950
The newly-facelifted Skoda Karoq will start from £25,950, and will initially be available in three trim levels. This midlife update for the family SUV delivers refreshed aerodynamic styling, a sustainable interior, more efficient engines and plenty of new technology. Previous entry-level trims have been discontinued, pushing the prices up slightly.
Orders for the facelifted Karoq will begin on the 17th February, with deliveries expected to begin in late Spring. The Skoda Karoq is in a highly competitive segment, with strong rivals in the shape of the Hyundai Tucson and the Nissan Qashqai, to name just two.
New 2022 Skoda Karoq: prices and specifications
For 2022, Skoda has streamlined the Karoq lineup into three distinct trim levels. The base model is called the Karoq SE DRIVE and starts from £25,950, a rise of around £1,500 over the current car. However, despite its entry-level status, the SE Drive comes with plenty of standard equipment. This includes a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights with ‘dynamic’ indicators, an eight-inch touchscreen with Smartlink and wireless Apple Carplay functionality, a digital instrument cluster and rear parking sensors.
Moving up the range, the mid-level trim is called the SE L. This features upgraded 18-inch alloy wheels as well as heated seats and a heated steering wheel, Skoda’s folding ‘Varioflex’ rear seats, keyless entry and the ‘Parking Pack’ which includes front AND rear parking sensors, plus a rear-view camera. This model will likely be the most popular and will start from £27,785.
Sitting at the pinnacle of the Karoq range, the SportLine trim boasts sporty black accents around the exterior of the car and a model-specific set of diamond-cut alloy wheels. Over and above the SE L, SportLine models also benefit from Matrix LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, an electronic tailgate and metallic paintwork. The Karoq SportLine is only available with the most-powerful 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, a DSG automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive. Prices start from £31,835.
Design
The facelifted Skoda Karoq features a streamlined front end design with a new hexagonal grille, similar to that found on the recently updated Skoda Kodiaq. The new slimmer headlights are now available as LED Matrix versions, which can shut off individual parts of the high beam so as not to dazzle oncoming drivers. The new car boasts a redesigned rear spoiler and can be had in two new metallic paint finishes. A selection of new aerodynamic alloy wheel designs range from 17-19 inches in size.
Interior and technology
Buyers can now select an ‘eco’ option pack. This includes vegan-friendly fabrics for the interior, as well as trim made out of recycled materials.
To keep the Karoq up-to-date, Skoda has fitted the facelifted car with a host of new tech features. All specifications now come as standard with an eight-inch digital instrument cluster, with range-topping models boasting a larger, 10.25-inch display. Previous-generation Karoq owners will be familiar with the new car’s touchscreen infotainment system. Like before, this is available as either an eight-inch or 9.2-inch unit and features over-the-air updates and optional wireless phone charging. Interior upgrades continue with a new extended LED ambient lighting package and optional electric memory seats.
Skoda has also overhauled the Karoq’s safety and driver assistance systems. All cars will now come as standard with autonomous emergency braking and collision warning systems. Two new optional safety packages are also available. Both feature traffic sign recognition, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance from the car in front. The top-spec pack also benefits from parking assistance, while a 360-degree camera is available at an additional cost.
Engines
Skoda has revised the engines available for the Karoq to improve their efficiency. The entry-level TSI 1.0-litre petrol engine produces 108bhp and is only offered with a manual gearbox. Higher-powered, 148bhp 1.5-litre and 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines are also available with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The latter also benefits from four-wheel-drive and, as previously mentioned, is only available in top-of-the-range SportLine trim.
There’s only one diesel engine available: a 2.0-litre TDI with either 114 or 148bhp. The higher-powered version comes as standard with a DSG gearbox and four-wheel-drive.
Keyword: New 2022 Skoda Karoq prices revealed