Skoda Karoq review

The first thing you notice in the Karoq is how well it soaks up lumps and bumps and whatever else you happen to drive over. Our UK test car rode on DCC optional adaptive suspension that's likely to be a rare added-on extra, but certainly adds a layer of sophistication to the ride.

The control weights are well matched and the Karoq is easy to guide on the motorway and handles obediently. Road and tyre noise are modest, though there's wind noise around the mirrors at motorways speeds while we’re noting such things – but you’ll still barely have to raise your voice to shout at the kids in the back.

Which engine should I choose?

When paired with one of the super-quiet petrol engines, the Karoq feels calm and under control. It’s such a good standard setup, you wonder why you’d bother with the adaptive dampers. Or indeed with the 2.0 TDI DSG; the extra weight of the diesel engine, automatic box and 4WD feels clumpy compared with a simpler, front-wheel-drive petrol model.

Which one you go for depends on your use case – the 148bhp 1.5-litre 4cyl petrol is a good all-rounder, but the 2.0-litre petrol is overkill for a car which doesn’t quite handle with enough aplomb to justify 187bhp. The diesel mostly rules itself out these days unless you do mega motorway miles, but the 109bhp 1.0-litre 3cyl is great for pootling about and the six-speed manual makes it an economical cruiser. As long as you don’t want to overtake anyone.

What about off-roading?

Are you sure? If you're regularly going off-piste we'd be more taken with a Dacia Duster. The Yeti was always pretty good in the off-roading department, and if you’re one of the three people who actually buy a car with AWD to use it away from the tarmac, or at least get you back to the tarmac through a muddy festival field, then the Karoq should serve you well in 4x4 spec with off-road or snow mode engaged. But that’s as far as its skills will stretch.

There’s an optional £215 rough road package – also available on 2WD models – that adds some underbody protection, which may be useful if your house is down a stony, furrowed track. We'd not bother with the 4x4 models if you're buying only for road use: save the money and have a set of winter wheels and tyres in the garage instead.