Skoda Karoq review

The bijou Karoq range starts at £30,670 for the entry-level SE model with the 1.0-litre petrol engine. It’s around £1,200 to upgrade that car to the more powerful petrol, £1,450 again to have that car with the DSG automatic.

The most expensive Karoq is the Sportline model with the 2.0-litre diesel engine, AWD and auto gearbox at £43,520. Something in our eye? No, we’re actually crying at the thought of spending £43k on a small diesel Skoda SUV.

What are the trims like?

There are three trims on offer – SE, SE L and Sportline. You get a decent amount of stuff on the entry SE car, which comes with heated front seats and steering wheel, 17in alloys, electric folding door mirrors, 8in infotainment screen and 10.25in digital dash, wireless Apple/Android and charging, cruise control, keyless entry, dual zone aircon, front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera. Phew.

SE L adds 18in wheels, jazzier exterior trim, fancier interior, adaptive cruise control, electric tailgate, larger 9.2in infotainment and drive mode select.

Top-spec Sportline comes with 19in wheels, a sporty exterior bodykit, a sporty steering wheel (!), sports seats and LED matrix headlights plus a panoramic sunroof, heated outer rear seats and a heated windscreen.

Which one should I go for?

The Karoq won’t necessarily benefit from the addition of anything with the word ‘sport’ in its name but the top-spec car does have some decent tech onboard, like the matrix LED lights and heated rear seats.

Still, we’d probably go as cheap as possible on this car and opt for the entry SE model with the 1.0-litre petrol engine. It’s wheezy but economical, and all the better for being lighter on its toes.

Skoda’s got a large options list to choose from, with some things available that make the standard kit list look a little miserly. Electrically adjustable seats are a £1,300 option on SE L and above, but you lose the fun little umbrella under the passenger seat. If you want a variable boot floor that’s an extra £215, tri-zone aircon with a little control panel in the back is £345, and curtain airbags are £620 extra.