Sub-$30k Skoda Karoq debuts segment’s first removable rear seats

Skoda’s first five seat medium SUV, the Karoq, goes on sale from July 2 priced from $29,990 for the manual and $32,290 for the DSG before on-road costs.

Positioned between the Yeti small crossover and Kodiaq full size 7-seater, the Karoq is Skoda’s first entry into the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment played by heavy hitters such the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson.

The Karoq embodies the Czech brand’s “Simply Clever” ethos with an ingenious VarioFlex system that confers the ability to entirely remove the rear three seats. Skoda claims that the Karoq, though fractionally smaller than key rivals by exterior measurement, is more spacious in most interior aspects.

With the confirgurable rear seats, the Karoq can be a five-, four-,three- or two-seater, a segment first.

With rear seats fitted and fully pushed back, the Karoq’s luggage compartment affords 479 litres. Push these seats forward and the space increases to 588 litres. Fold them flat and you have 1605 litres. Take them out and there’s a massive 1810 litres to fill.

Initially offered with the 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine with cylinder deactivation driving the front wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox (or DSG in Skoda speak) or six-speed manual, a more powerful all-wheel drive version is planned for 2019.

The efficient 1.5-litre turbo puts out 110kW at 5000-6000 rpm and 250Nm from a low 1500rpm to 3500. The Karoq gets from standing to 100km/h in 8.4 (manual) or 8.6 seconds (DSG). Combined fuel consumption in the manual is 5.7l/100km (manual) or 5.8L (DSG).

As with all Skoda’s, the Karoq is backed a by a five year factory warranty.

2018 Skoda Karoq pricing and specification

• 17 inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Front Assist
• City Emergency Brake
• 7 Airbags
• Driver Fatigue Detection
• Low tyre pressure indicator
• Advanced Keyless Entry including Smart Start (KESSY)
• 8 inch ‘Bolero’ high resolution infotainment system Bluetooth© with voice control, audio and streaming, USB, AUX and SD card slot
• Apple Car Play and Android Auto
• 8 Speaker sound system
• Rear View Camera
• Rear parking sensors including braking assistant
• Alarm with interior monitoring, back-up siren, inclination sensor and SAFE system
• VarioFlex – flexible seats
• Front seats with height adjustment and lumbar support
• Climatronic – dual-zone air conditioning
• LED Interior Ambient lighting and LED door welcome light
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Privacy Glass (window tint)
• Electric park brake with Auto Hold function
• Light Assist – Automatic headlight function
• Rain Sensor – Rain sensing wipers
• Front Fog Lights
• 3 spoke sports leather steering wheel, radio and telephone controls, height and reach adjustable
• Roof rails – Silver
• Double-sided mat in luggage compartment
• 2 Tablet Holders

Optional Package:

• Full LED headlights with Adaptive Frontlight System including LED DRL’s
• Leather appointed upholstery
• 18 inch alloy Wheels
• Front parking sensors
• Automatic tailgate with electric open and close (height programmable)
• Steel pedals

• Virtual Pedal – hands free electric tailgate open and close
• 9.2 inch ‘Columbus’ Satellite Navigation including gesture control and 10 years MapCare
• Park Assist 3.0 – Auto parking pilot for parallel, parallel exit, reverse and forward perpendicular
• Premium German Sound System (10 Speakers)
• Drive Mode Select
• Personalisation (vehicle set up) via key
• Wireless Charging
• DAB+

• Lane Assist
• Side Assist – Blind Spot Detection
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Electric driver’s seat with memory function
• Foldable auto dimming door mirrors with memory function and down lighting
• Front heated seats

• 3 Year/45,000km Service Pack
• Full LED headlights with Adaptive Frontlight System including LED DRL’s
• Leather appointed upholstery
• 18 inch alloy Wheels
• Front parking sensors
• Steel pedals
• Virtual Pedal – hands free electric tailgate open and close
• 9.2 inch ‘Columbus’ Satellite Navigation including gesture control and 10 years MapCare
• Park Assist 3.0 – Auto parking pilot for parallel, parallel exit, reverse and forward perpendicular
• Drive Mode Select
• Personalisation (vehicle set up) via key
• Wireless Charging
• DAB+
• Lane Assist
• Side Assist – Blind Spot Detection
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Electric driver’s seat with memory function
• Foldable auto dimming door mirrors with memory function and down lighting
• Front heated seats