New look, more tech and more value for updated mid-size Czech SUV
The facelifted 2022 Skoda Karoq has arrived Down Under with pricing starting from $42,990 drive-away for the entry-level Style and $49,990 drive-away for the punchier Sportline 4×4.
As we reported in December, Skoda’s medium SUV has been treated to a series of cosmetic and technical upgrades as part of its mid-lifecycle refresh, which the Czech brand says adds more than $4000 of additional value compared to the models they replaced (previously priced from $39,990 and $46,990 drive-away respectively).
Thanks to a new front bumper, slimmer LED headlights, fresh alloy wheels designs and tweaked tail-light clusters, Skoda claims to have reduced the Karoq’s aerodynamic drag coefficient by nine per cent which should in theory improve fuel economy.
Speaking of powertrains, the Style will be motivated by the familiar 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine developing an unchanged 110kW/250Nm, sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Claimed fuel consumption is pegged at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle and the base model now rolls on black 18-inch alloys as standard, while LEDs take care of all the exterior lighting.
Inside the cabin, new front seats are said to boost comfort, while infotainment duties continue to be taken care of by an updated 8.0-inch interface featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity.
Other standard equipment highlights include keyless entry and start, rear privacy glass, an eight-speaker sound system, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, virtual cockpit, rear privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, VarioFlex rear seats, powered tailgate with kick sensor, footwell lighting, rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control.
Buyers requiring satellite-navigation will have to rely on smartphone mirroring or opt for the $5900 Tech Pack, which bundles in a bigger 9.2-inch touch-screen, sat-nav with gesture control, Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, plus automatic parking assist, lane assist, surround area view camera, traffic jam assist, rear traffic alert, emergency assist and ambient lighting.
The $10,900 Premium Pack, meanwhile, adds leather appointed seat trim, power adjustment and memory function for the front row, heated front and outboard rear seats, a heat insulated windscreen, heated steering wheel, paddle shifters and headlight washers.
A panoramic sunroof ($1900) and sidesteps ($1200) are also optionally available.
Stepping up to the Sportline 4×4 not only gets you a bigger and gruntier 2.0-litre turbo powertrain (140kW/320Nm) including all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, but a few more toys as well.
Riding on bigger 19-inch hoops, the Sportline 4×4 swaps out the Style’s standard and VarioFlex seats for sportier units, which are matched by a blacked-out interior with carbon and piano black trim.
Stainless steel pedals and a three-spoke sports steering wheel finish off the more athletic interior, which is alluded to from the outside by a black grille, door mirrors, roof rails, window trim and rear diffuser, plus full Matrix LED headlights.
Other Sportline-specific features include cornering fog lights and chrome-plated inserts on the diffuser.
Just like its cheaper stablemate, the Sportline 4×4 has several optional packs for those seeking even more toys or driver involvement.
The aforementioned 9.2-inch sat-nav system, front and rear-outboard heated seats, heat insulating windscreen, headlight washers and a heated steering wheel for example are all included in the $2600 Travel Pack.
Adaptive dampers, park assist, lane assist, area view camera, traffic jam assist, rear traffic alert and emergency assist meanwhile comprise the $3500 Tech Pack.
Or, for $5900, you can have both the Travel and Tech packs bundled into the single Premium Pack.
The panoramic sunroof and sidesteps are also available at the same price as with the Style.
Skoda Australia national sales and planning manager Kieran Merrigan said the updated Karoq offers customers “a best-of-all-worlds approach to medium SUV buying”.
“With design highlights like VarioFlex in the Karoq Style, Skoda can offer the practical smarts of a larger vehicle in a size that offers greater urban agility and lower weight for enhanced efficiency,” he said.
“Or, for those wanting the most emotional and engaging driving experience, no European medium SUV can touch the Karoq Sportline 4×4 for sporty fun and technology for under $50,000 drive-away.”
As with every new Skoda, the Karoq range is backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
How much does the 2022 Skoda Karoq cost?Style (a) – $42,990Sportline 4×4 (a) – $49,990
* Prices are drive-away