The update of the mid-size crossover in the Skoda model lineup is symbolic, but it works to improve the main abilities. It seems a little more, and the Skoda Karoq 2024 can be written down as a segment leader.
You can either love or loathe VAG representatives. And somehow, over the years, they only justify your attitude in one way or another. So it all depends on the perspective. The Skoda Karoq once replaced a pretty good Yeti, in my opinion, and was definitely supposed to enhance its characteristics, not squander them. But then, in 2017, the crossover completely crossed out the history of its predecessor and offered a completely different concept. Now, after several updates, it can be noted that it has already outgrown its grandfather in all senses, except for cross-country ability, which was never the point of the project.
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What’s new in Skoda Karoq?
In 2022, Skoda has already released an update to the crossover, and it was a few changes in the appearance, a little in the interior configuration, and the addition of new modern safety features, gadget integration, and more. It was then that most of today’s advantages that catch the eye were already integrated. And what about now?
It seems that Skoda Karoq 2024 has become more stylish. It has a black grille frame, black lettering on the back, black mirrors, roof rails, and wheel arches in the body color. Such little things, but how they change the overall impression. It even seemed to me that there are many more updates than the usual top-of-the-line Sport Line. Yes, this is an interesting offer from Skoda. No, it has no sporting ability and does not give a sense of drive, only styling.
And here Skoda is definitely ahead of the Spaniards from Seat in style. But it seems to be lagging the VW Tiguan, which offers a much more eccentric appearance and a greater number of technological systems, including active assistants, but the price is also many times higher.
Most of the updates are seen in the cabin: the ceiling is black, the racks are black, there are almost no chrome trims, and everything looks like a monolithic, unified whole. It seems that the designers have created this interior with excessive inspiration. Sports bucket-style chairs with a monolithic headrest, good side support, and an adjustable lumbar cushion. It doesn’t matter that they are mechanically adjustable. How much do you usually touch it there?
To this was added a stylized digital instrument panel with a red background, a three-spoke steering wheel with the inscription Sport Line (when the other configuration will have a two-spoke), chrome pedal and sill plates. Also added was dynamic LED interior lighting, the color of which can be changed in the settings.
The interior of the Skoda Karoq 2024 looks richer. On top of that, there are comfortable bells and whistles of the maximum configuration with a three-level heated steering wheel, heated seats, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and wireless charging.
Skoda Karoq is especially practical thanks to the proprietary Simply Clever with the most practical use of space. This includes a bunch of niches, separate boxes and pockets that open, an elastic band to hold tall items in the door pockets, separate card storage holes, a trash can, and an ice scraper in the gas tank lid. It also includes a special protective cover for the washer tank, and more.
Of course, all the advantages of the crossover remain here in the form of a fairly spacious rear seat for passengers, where a simple sofa without fancy bumps will allow three people to sit comfortably. The luggage space is one of the best in the class and beyond: 588 liters versus 469 liters in the Nissan Qashqai or 438 liters in the larger Mazda CX 5.
Threatening comfort
For the most part, the Skoda Karoq 2024 is a great car for every day, practical and easy to use. Moreover, it has good chassis settings, which seem to be getting softer with each update. This has a good effect on the feeling of comfort, but the downside of such a suspension — floppiness and lack of steering clarity — is felt quite sharply. If it seemed to me that it became sharper, it was thanks to the mode settings. When you pick up speed, even the sport mode does not save you from the emptiness and the desire to catch at least some control.
Only this is so individual and depends on the driving style that most people won’t even notice it. After all, Skoda Karoq does not provoke dynamic driving. The familiar old TSI 1.4 has 150 hp and 250 Nm, which are not bad figures, but not the main ones here. It’s nice that it is really capable of hitting the hundred in nine seconds — it’s quite fun and adds confidence in the crossover’s abilities. However, in my opinion, cruising speed and fuel consumption are more important for everyday life.
Despite the rather small engine size, fuel consumption averages around 8.5-9 liters, which is too much for a modern car. After all, the same Nissan Qashqai keeps its consumption to 6.5-7 liters, and the hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross consumes even less.
The most pleasant part is the torque converter. I don’t really like the behavior of the DSG and life with it in general, because of the peculiarities of maintenance. Only an automatic can reinforce the pleasant impression of Karoq’s behavior. This is the absence of unnecessary jerks during shifting, almost instantaneous response to the accelerator, softness, and clarity. It’s also nice that they kept the classic shift lever. I still can’t get used to these twists and turns or buttons. If it’s justified in an electric car, it’s strange in a conventional internal combustion engine.
The car lacks assistants. At least adaptive cruise. It seems to be a common thing and Skoda has them in the list in Europe, but they are not offered for our market. Perhaps because of the price, which is too high and not competitive. So, we hope that over time, everything will appear at least as options.
Conclusions and positioning
We can talk about the comfort features of the Skoda Karoq 2024 for a long time, but it’s worth experiencing. The new Sport Line styling has added a special charm to the crossover, and the promotional prices at the beginning of 2025 will only encourage those who want to buy a European. Moreover, the price for the top version with a gasoline engine is 1,336,515 hryvnias ($31,691), which is lower than most competitors, and the starting price starts at 1,189,885 hryvnias ($28,214). Only the Suzuki S-Cross (UAH 1,094,900) or representatives of the Chinese automotive industry, such as the Changan CS55 (UAH 985,782) or Chery Tiggo 4 (UAH 793,072), will be cheaper.
Compared to the top players in the segment, such as Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 2008, and Toyota Corolla Cross, the Karoq still loses in terms of equipment and technology, but its restraint and confidence often prevail. We love Skoda in Ukraine, and their crossovers even more so. And I didn’t understand why for a long time until I started to communicate with them more. I started to like their simplicity combined with practicality and comfort. If we could add more technology and character to the driving, maybe even hybrid technology, and few people will be able to get ahead of Skoda in the hearts of their fans.
PROS: comfort, pleasant chassis, convenience, ergonomics.
CONS: lack of technologies that others have been using for a long time, fuel consumption.
Technical characteristics of Skoda Karoq Sport Line 1.4TDI 8AT
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4384x1841x1624 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2 638 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 169 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 5881630 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1411 |
| Engine | R4 turbo |
| Working volume, cubic cm | 1395 |
| Power, hp. | 150 (110) |
| Torque, Nm | 250 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Suspension in front of. | Macpherson racks, stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Semi-dependent |
| CHECKPOINT | automatic for 8 steps |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 9,2 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 201 |
| Fuel consumption, l (mixed) | 6,6 |
| Cost, UAH | from 1 189 885 (share) |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 1,336,515 (share) |
| Competitors | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| Peugeot 2008 | |
| Seat Ateca | |
| Hyundai Kona | |
| Nissan Qashqai |
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