Skoda Karoq – Yeti from scratch
"Yeti" was quite an interesting name for a Skoda car. Characteristic and easily recognizable. The Czechs don't like it anymore - they prefer the Karoq. We have already met the successor of Yeti - in Stockholm. What are our first impressions?
The curtain rises, the car drives onto the stage. At this point, the voices of brand representatives become a little muffled. Nobody looks at the speakers anymore. The show steals Skoda Karoq. Obviously, we are all interested in the new Skoda model. After all, this is why we came to Sweden - to see it with our own eyes. But when emotions subside, will we continue to be interested in Karok?
Serial lines, serial names
Skoda has already developed a rather peculiar style by which we recognize each model. Yeti still looked like this Dakar, but it goes into oblivion. Now it will look like a smaller Kodiaq.
However, before we take a closer look at Karoq, we can explain where the name comes from. It is not difficult to guess that he has a lot in common with his older brother. Alaska turns out to be a source of ideas. This is a combination of the words "machine" and "arrow" in the language of the inhabitants of the island of Kodiak. Perhaps all future Skoda SUVs will bear similar names. After all, this treatment was mostly about consistency.
Let's get back to style. After the premiere of the facelifted Octavia, we might have feared that Skoda would lean towards the odd split headlight aesthetic. In Karoqu, the headlights are separated, but so as not to disturb anyone. In addition, the body is compact, dynamic and looks a little better than that of the Kodiak.
Okay, but how does this compare to the rest of the Volkswagen Group offer? I asked several people from Skoda about this. I didn't get a definitive answer from any of them, but they all agreed that it was "a different car than the Ateca" and that other buyers would buy it.
However, the wheelbase is the same as the Ateka. The body is less than 2 cm longer, but the width and height are more or less the same. Where are these differences? Hint: just smart.
SUV and van in one
Karoq, like any other Skoda, is a very practical car. Regardless of size. Here, one of the most interesting solutions is the optional VarioFlex seats. This is a system of three separate seats that replaces the traditional sofa. We can move them back and forth, thereby changing the volume of the trunk - from 479 to 588 liters. If that's not enough, we can of course fold those seats down and get 1630 liters of capacity. But that's not all, because we can even remove those seats and turn the Karoq into a small utility vehicle.
For our convenience, a system of named keys has also been introduced. We can order up to three, and if the car is opened using one of them, all settings will be adjusted immediately to the user. If we have electrically adjustable seats, we won't have to adjust them ourselves.
The virtual cockpit system is also a big novelty. This has not yet been seen in any Skoda car, although you can be sure that in the future, with the possible facelift of the Superb or Kodiaq, this option will definitely appear in these models. The cockpit graphics match what we know from analog clocks. Beautiful and understandable, and even intuitive.
The quality of the materials is very good. The dashboard design may be very similar to the Kodiaq, but that's okay. We can't complain about the amount of space both front and rear.
As for the infotainment system, here we get everything that is in the larger model. So there is Skoda Connect, internet connection with hotspot function, navigation with traffic information and so on. Overall, we can conclude that the Karoq offers even better extras than the larger Kodiaq. However, we will confirm this when we see the price lists.
Up to 190 hp under the hood
Skoda Karoq was designed for two years. During this time, she overcame 2,2 million test km. One of the latest challenges was a road trip from the Skoda Museum in Prague to Stockholm, where it had its world premiere. The car was still in camouflage - but it arrived.
We, however, have not yet been able to start the engine. Skoda is talking about five engines - two petrol and three diesel. A choice of 6-speed manual transmission and 7-speed DSG will be offered. In the corresponding trim levels, we will also see a plug-in all-wheel drive with the Tiguan-famous, for example, Offroad mode. Electronic differential lock EDS will certainly help when driving on slippery surfaces. If, on the other hand, we often travel off-road, the offer will also include a "bad road package". The package includes a cover for the engine, covers for electric, brake, fuel cables and a few more plastic covers.
The front suspension is a McPherson strut with lower wishbones and a steel subframe. Behind the four-bar design. We will also be able to order suspension with actively adjustable damping force DCC. Interestingly, if we go through corners very dynamically, the sport suspension mode is activated automatically to limit dangerous body movements.
Okay, but what engines will be installed on the Skoda Karoq? First of all, the novelty is a 1.5-horsepower 150 TSI with the function of deactivating the middle cylinders. The base power units will be 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI with the same power output of 115 hp. Above we see a 2.0 TDI with 150 or 190 hp. You could say that this is such a standard - but Volkswagen still does not want to release a 240-horsepower 2.0 BiTDI outside of its brand.
Technology at the service of humanity
Today, active safety systems are very important to customers. Here we will again see almost all the new products of the Volkswagen concern. There is a Front Assist system with autonomous emergency braking and speed-controlled cruise control.
Some time ago, a system for monitoring blind spots in mirrors was already developed with functions such as, for example, assistance when leaving a parking space. If we try to leave, despite the fact that the car is driving on the side, Karoq will automatically brake. However, if we are already driving and want to change lanes in which another car is nearby or is approaching at high speed, we will be warned about this. If we turn on the turn signal anyway, the LEDs will flash strongly to alert the driver of the other car.
The list of systems also includes active lane keeping assistant, traffic sign recognition and driver fatigue recognition.
Karok - are we waiting for you?
Skoda Karoq can cause mixed feelings. It's too similar to Kodiaq, Tiguan and Ateka. However, the difference with the Kodiaq is very large - it's as much as 31,5 cm, if we talk about the length of the case. The main advantages of the Tiguan are better interior materials and more powerful engines - but this also comes at a cost. The Ateca is closest to the Karoq, but the Karoq seems to be more practical. It is also better equipped.
This is not the time to compare. We saw the new Skoda for the first time and haven't driven it yet. However, it promises to be very interesting. Moreover, as we unofficially found out, the price should remain at the same level as that of the Yeti.
