Skoda’s updated Karoq SUV will make its debut on the 30 November, sporting a range of styling and technology updates
Skoda has confirmed that the facelifted Karoq will be unveiled later this month. It’ll gain a handful of cosmetic and equipment tweaks designed to keep the SUV competitive with the Ford Kuga and the much newer third-generation Nissan Qashqai.
The Karoq has proved itself as Skoda’s most popular SUV and the firm’s second-best selling vehicle overall, just behind the Octavia, and Skoda is keen to maintain that momentum. Since production started in 2017, more than 500,000 examples have been sold worldwide.
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What is Skoda vRS? History and best cars drivenSkoda hasn’t yet released any images of the updated Karoq, but our spy photographers have been keeping a watchful eye on its development programme. The design changes for the SUV follow the usual mid-cycle update trend.
A prototype was previously spotted with reshaped LED headlamps, a new front bumper and a slightly tweaked radiator grille, which nudges the Karoq’s styling into line with that of the newer Octavia. At the rear, there’s a reprofiled undertray and a subtly reworked tailgate spoiler – and buyers should be offered some fresh paint options and new alloy wheel designs.
Inside, we’re expecting a fresh leather-trimmed steering wheel, updated door cars and a choice of new upholstery finishes. Skoda’s upper mid-range SE L model will also likely be offered with the Volkswagen Group’s 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle as standard, like the updated SEAT Ateca, with which it shares a chassis.
There’s also the potential for Skoda to introduce an iV-badged plug-in hybrid version of the Karoq with this update. It would likely use the same 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combination from the new Skoda Octavia iV, which would provide an output of 201bhp and a maximum electric range of around 30 miles.
The rest of the Karoq’s line-up will be made up of the Volkswagen Group’s familiar blend of petrol and diesel engines, opening with a 113bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and topping out with a 187bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol on the flagship Sportline model. In the middle of the range, there’ll be a choice of 2.0-litre diesels, along with a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol.
Martin Jahn, Skoda’s board member for sales and marketing, said: “[The Karoq] was our most popular SUV model during the past year and the first half of 2021, which illustrates its importance within the model portfolio. I am convinced that we will build on this success story with the new edition of the Karoq and attract new customers to the brand.”
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