We all know how it works with the Volkswagen Auto Group.
A lot of different brands, a lot of different models, ones are higher up the food chain than others...
But what it all comes down to, is that a lot of parts are being shared,
and every manufacturer designs their own body around it.
It isn't always easy to determine which model is placed where though.
Let's try to clear it up. This is the Skoda Karoq.
A SUV in the middle class. It's the little brother of the Kodiaq,
and the spiritual successor to the Yeti and the Roomster.
When it comes to size, it's similar to the Volkswagen Tiguan,
but it's even more similar to the Seat Ateca. Speaking of the Ateca,
this actually is the Ateca from Skoda.
Just look at these doors. Almost exactly the same.
The bootlid is the same, it just screams Ateca.
The rear lights might be different, but the similarities are clearly present.
Personally, I think that's unfortunate. It's too easy.
Both cars come from the same factory as well, so it must have something to do with cost efficiency.
So the only features which distinguish the Karoq from the Ateca, are the front and the butt.
The wheelbase of the Karoq is identical to that of the Ateca, so that means the interior is the mostly the same as well.
That means sufficient legroom for the rear passengers, not more than that.
I'm behind myself right now, and there isn't a lot of room left for my knees.
It's sufficient though. The headroom is fine as well,
but what distinguishes the Karoq from the Ateca, are these seats.
The so-called Varioflex-system.
And what does that mean exactly? That means you can get these three individual seats,
instead of one big foldable rear seat. For an additional price, that is.
You can fold down the backs, you can tilt the whole seat, but you can also remove them.
That means you've got 1810 litres of luggage space, instead of the normal 521 litres.
Within the Volkswagen Group, Skoda was the last in line for a compact SUV.
And they're probably very happy they finally have one now, because this is a very popular segment.
If you don't offer a compact SUV in your range, you simply won't get taken seriously.
Anyway. How do you distinguish yourself as a Skoda from the rest of the company?
Not taking the different front and butt into consideration, that is.
One of the things could be mounting a different dashboard.
It's a typical Skoda-dashboard. It doesn't really resemble the dashboard of the Seat Ateca,
which is more pointed to you. This is more functional,
like you're used to from Skoda.
It isn't very exciting though. The materials are fine,
it might be of a slightly lesser quality than the Volkswagen Tiguan, but that's because that's more expensive.
But the most important part; everything is on here.
Ergonomically, there isn't much to complain about.
I already mentioned it before, within the Volkswagen Group there is a kind of hierarchy.
When it comes to mass production-brands, Audi is the highest-in-command,
Volkswagen is next, and Seat and Skoda follow.
And the latter two always have to fight over technical features...
which Volkswagen and Audi already have. And when it comes to the digital instrumentarium,
Skoda seems to have won. This Karoq is available with one of those, but the Ateca isn't.
No doubt it will be available in time, but the Karoq is the first to be available with it.
You don't buy a Skoda for its sportiness. You do buy a Skoda for its comfortable traits.
Within that Volkswagen Group, which we've mentioned a few times now,
Skoda usually is the brand which builds the most comfortable cars.
Especially if you compare them with Seat, which is supposed to be the sporty brother.
Because that's what this Karoq isn't; sporty.
It is very comfortable though. The springs are very smooth,
something you do notice on these Sicilian roads, which aren't too good.
You can feel how the suspension works though. That said,
the springs are very comfortable, but that means the dampers have to be firm as well,
otherwise the body will heave about.
Well, it's got a very good balance, whilst remaining the preference for comfort.
And that's exactly why you buy a Skoda.
Of course, you can choose between multiple driving modes if you pay an additional price.
Eco, Normal, or Sport. It doesn't change the dampers though,
so the suspension won't be altered. It won't become harder or softer all of a sudden.
The modes mostly focus on the throttle response and the gear changes.
In "Sport"-mode, they become sharper, whilst they become softer in "Normal-" and "Eco"-modes.
You really have to put your foot down if you want some sort of reaction. It's okay, but you can feel it doesn't really feel like it.
So if you want a Karoq with a bite, you have to put it in "Sport"-mode.
I'm hopping from one thing to the next, because talking about bite:
the engines.
Let's start with the 1.0-litre TSI 85 kW, which produces 115 horsepower.
That's the entry model. Right now,
I'm driving the 1.5-litre TSI with cylinder deactivation, which produces 150 horsepower.
You don't really notice anything from the cylinder deactivation.
But the 150 horsepower is pretty adequate in this car. I've even caught myself on getting some wheelspin.
Especially on these bad roads it sometimes has difficulties when finding traction.
So those 150 horsepower are sufficient, and that's the exact version Skoda expects to be most interesting in the Netherlands.
If you prefer a diesel, that's possible too.
Skoda offers a 1.6-litre diesel and two 2.0-litre TDI's.
So, concluding: what does this Karoq add to a segment which is already quite full.
It's very nice for Skoda that they finally have a compact SUV of their own, but what does it excel in?
Nothing really, but that's classic Skoda.
But if you're looking for a compact SUV which is practically usable, you should get a Varioflex seating system.
That grants you tons of luggage space.
Something it does excel in, if you think about it, is the comfort.
In this segment, it's one of the most comfortable SUV's available today.
So if that's something you like, or something which fits your driving style,
a Karoq might be something for you.
The price? Once, people bought Skoda's because they were cheap.
When you got a lot for less. Those times are over though,
Skoda clearly isn't the cheapest anymore. That doesn't mean they aren't interestingly priced anymore.
What stands out though, if you compare this Karoq with the Seat Ateca,
the base price of the Ateca is lower than this.
That's because the entry model isn't an Active-trim, like with other Skoda's,
but an Ambition, which is a step up.
€28.990 now is the entry price for this Karoq, with a 1.0-litre TSI.
If that €28.990 sounds familiar to you, if you're a Skoda-pricing fanatic,
it's the exact same price as the Skoda Kodiaq. The bigger brother.
So for the same money, you get more car.
Of course, that's something you'll have to want,
because it also means higher costs, but still.
It's very remarkable. So this Karoq really isn't a pricing bombshell,
but it's still a Skoda. It's no-nonsense, it's practical,
it's still a lot of car for your money, and it doesn't excel in anything.
But that's a quality as well...