Living with a… Skoda Karoq

Most compact SUVs are the same size as your average family hatchback, yet are usually quite a bit more expensive. So, aside from a bit more style, what does an SUV give you that a hatchback doesn’t?
Auto Trader’s Road Test Editor has spent the last six months with the Skoda Karoq – one of the best cars of its type – to find out.

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[RichardTingey]

Ivan - great report. I got a Karoq (after being a Yeti owner) last November and have been absolutely delighted with it. I don't believe in paying extra for badges (such as Audi, Mercedes, BMW, etc). My wife and I are in our 70s and find the height an SUV offers to make entry and exit of the vehicle far easier. As you are a much younger man you probably don't realise what a difference this makes.

[leisurelypaice]

Had my 1.6 Diesel SEL for nearly a year, love the car, drive about 500+ miles a week with work, average about 55mpg can get 60 if I behave 🤣 Mainly drive in ECO mode, but when weather conditions get really bad, sport mode becomes a must and definitely alters the driving experience. I don't use the Sat Nav, just connect my phone with Android Auto and get google maps on the dash. My favourite car, but I now want a scout for some bigger adventures!

[keithisaacs]

The karoq is a brilliant car not flashy like a Peugeot 3008 but has superior build quality and comfort I've got the 1.5tsi se I'm a fairly careful driver lm averaging 44.6 mpg on long journeys just over 50mpg I've had the car 8 months with no problems it's a pleasure to own.

[Kedislol]

Didn't make it past 1 min when you suggested it's the same space as a hatchback, when it's clearly far bigger than the average hatchback...

[dank]

Typical hatchback - Skoda fabia boot space 330 litres, Karoq 521 litres. Hardly the same amount of boot space!

[borjastick]

All this is very useful to me because I am currently the very happy owner of a Skoda Yeti. I was most unhappy when the dullards at VAG decided to align the platform and drop the Yeti. The Yeti is a fantastic vehicle for many reasons and I'm pleased to see some of those have made it across to the Karoq. The seating is one of its many features that leave the rest in the dust. I have the DSG diesel 4x4 version which is great. I don't like the outside looks of the Karoq but the interior is very very good.

[pritamghosh]

Recently purchased one and it is really good car.. Used Suzuki and Hyundai earlier.. My Family loves it. The driving is very fun to drive.

[lostweekendscaravan]

Having had Audi's for years. I decided to try this car as a Caravan puller and it is great. I have the 2.0 4x4 TDI. My only complaints are the Sat Nav is PANTS. The fuel return is not that impressive either. But other than these 2 issues I think its a really good vehicle and better than my 2016 Audi A4 Avant. Phil

[joannemcguirk]

I went from a 1.4 tdi fabia to the 1 litre petrol karoq and I love it!!! My car was a demo so it has a few bits I wouldn't normally go for but I deffo can't fault it and enjoy driving it every single day, love it in this green too

[mjames]

Nissan eg Qashqais with their 1.5 diesel Renault k9k engines definately achieve 50mpg av and do 70mpg on motorways! Most diesels would deliver between 40 and 50mpg+. This engine in this model lacks low end torque increasing MPG. Be aware buying lower CC petrol engines in heavier cars they DO have higher mpg. The optimum engine for this size car would be approx 1.8 litre and a good low spooling turbo.

[AndREDraut]

I have the 150 PS version, 2 wheel drive, I get around 39 mpg in a daily use, but you can easily scrape on the 50 mpg during longer holiday trips, on my last one, I had an average of 5.2 liters/100 km for the 2750 km trip, that's about 54 mpg. I have now done 86000 km with the Karoq and I'm quite satisfied with it. I agree that the Nav is too slow giving you alternative routes, especially if you choose another route by yourself, it tends to stick too long to his route before recalculating a new route. ("please turn around"). The drive mode are more interesting, if you have the DCC (dynamic suspension). I don't have that and I agree, I very seldomly change drive mode, I let it in Eco or Normal and pull the gear level back to change to S-mode if I want to go faster.

[jamiep]

I particularly like It In SE L and Sportline Trims

[Dumlen]

Got mine in October, really like it. Even though as said in the video it is a bit more thirsty than one would think. I usually get about 820km per tank, which isn't bad, but it isn't great either.

[jppith]

Just bought the sportline model for the reasons as explained here. Chosen model has most of the available options for a reasonable price.

[DC-jboz]

Headroom and leg room are my main concern. Number one consideration when I am looking to purchase a vehicle is - can I fit. I am 6' 6" tall. So, I ask you, can I fit without hitting my head and is there enough leg room to shift without my knee hitting the steering wheel.

[bovineox]

Don't really get the "no more practical" or more space statements when Karoq has 150l more boot space 🤔

[cJ-crgp]

34mpg? We have one which has the automatic box. Same engine. I drive mostly in “Eco” mode and average 44mpg.

[GeordsYouTube]

Petrol engine in a heavy SUV doesn’t seem to make sense to me. The new cleaner EU6c engines are a better choice for larger cars. Well I suppose if it’s a AWD/4x4 then go oil burner but if it’s a 2wd high up hatchback then petrol

[tempname]

which hatchback gives 520 liters of boot space?

[johnmanning]

i have a skoda fabia and i find one big problem with this and i have noticed with other skoda estates is the 6" drop in the boot to the floor. my wife is now disabled and i bought ramps to put her disabled scooter in the boot, but it just does not work due to this drop, unlike most estates which are flat, i tried my friends vauxhall vectra no problem up and in great. apart from that and it being on the small side inside i quite like skodas but will not be upgrading to another one because of this drop as in the one you tried out and their other models are the same, pity .