The Skoda Karoq SUV will cost from £20,875 when it goes on sale on 3rd October.
The newcomer, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show, effectively replaces the Skoda Yeti and targets the booming compact SUV market and in particular the segment-leading Nissan Qashqai – though the Skoda’s starting price is almost £1,600 more than the Nissan.
Four engine options will be available to Karoq buyers at launch, with more expected to follow at some point. The choice will be between petrol units of 1.0-litre size with 115hp outlet and 1.5-litre with 150hp, and diesels of 1.6 115hp and 2.0 150hp – the latter the only engine that can be combined with all-wheel-drive. Six-speed manual gearboxes will be standard but seven-speed automatics will be optional.
Trio of trim levels
Three trim levels will be on offer, Skoda’s familiar SE and SE L and the new Edition grades, though the top Edition model will only be available with the 150hp engines. Among standard equipment on SE models are 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED rear lights, dual-zone climate control, front and pedestrian driver warnings and a driver fatigue sensor.
SE L models start from £23,165 and among the additional equipment are an increase in the alloy wheels to 18 inches, satellite navigation with and eight-inch touchscreen display, keyless entry and start/stop, full LED headlights with adaptive front lights, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors with a camera on the rear, and Alcantara upholstery.
Range-topping Edition models, £2,595 more expensive than SE L equivalents, grow the wheels further to 19 inches, and add a panoramic sunroof, metallic paint and leather upholstery as standard.
The infotainment touchscreen grows too, to 9.2 inches and includes gesture control, an electric tailgate is fitted as is LED ambient lighting are several extra safety and driver assistance systems. These include a lane departure warning, blind spot protection with a rear traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.
First Skoda Karoq customers are likely to receive their cars in mid-January 2018.
