Skoda Karoq long-term test review

Can the Skoda Kodiaq's smaller sibling convince a long-time fan of estate cars that SUVs are a better option?...

Published16 August 2018

The car Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI 150 DSG SE L
Run by Will Williams, photographer
Why it’s here This is our favourite trim of one of our favourite family SUVs, so we want to see how it stacks up in the real world
Needs to Be comfortable, smooth-riding and economical on a colossal commute, with plenty of space for photography equipment

Price £25,820 Price as tested £27,650 Miles covered 12,606 Official fuel economy 50.4mpg Test economy 36.8mpg CO2 emissions 127g/km Options Three-spoke leather heated multi-function steering wheel (£150), upgraded Canton sound system (£550), Family Pack (£120), heated windscreen and washer nozzles (£250), Isofix front passenger seat (£35), metallic paint (£575), steel space-saving spare wheel (£150)

16 August 2018 – in-car tech

You'd never call me a technophile – I’ve only recently been convinced it’s not spelt ‘eye-phone’, for example – but I’m a fan of my Skoda Karoq’s infotainment system.

It’s fitted with an 8.0in touchscreen (a £450 option on entry-level SE, but standard on SE L) that's actually really simple to use, even on the move.

While many car manufacturers seem desperate to make their interior’s as buttonless as a t-shirt, Skoda has at least left a couple of dials either side of the screen. One is a good old-fashioned volume knob, the other helps you cycle through the menus on the bright and crisp display.

The system works so well that I’d actually avoid going for the bigger 9.2in system. It’s standard on range-topping Edition models, but a very pricey £1500 option on SE L and is entirely touchscreen – no knobs – so actually a bit more distracting to use on the move. Trust me: keep the cash.

It’s not all good news, though, because the infotainment system crashed yesterday – twice. It fixed itself without much bother, but as it’s happened a few times before I’m now planning to visit a dealer.