The New Skoda Karoq Is Here, And It Makes Us A Little Sad

Skoda has now fully revealed the Karoq - the rather conventional successor to the quirky Yeti
The New Skoda Karoq Is Here, And It Makes Us A Little Sad

The Skoda Yeti is dead. In its place is the new Karoq - revealed this week - which is longer, wider (therefore more spacious) and posher than its predecessor. Sounds like a good recipe, but there’s one thing missing from the ingredients list of the new car: quirkiness.

The Yeti is an affable, rugged, utilitarian kind of car that’s achieved a cult-like status, partly for just being a bit different. And how can you not love something called ‘Yeti’?

The New Skoda Karoq Is Here, And It Makes Us A Little Sad

The Karoq on the other hand is much more straightforward, and a result of Skoda’s intentions to push a little upmarket. It’s an MQB-based affair that’s the Czech firm’s ‘version’ of the VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. It arguably doesn’t look all that different from the Ateca either, which is a bit of a shame - we’d like to see more to differentiate the car from its VW Group cousins.

We can moan all we like, but the reality is new car buyers are - on the whole - quite a conservative bunch. As such, the Karoq is destined to sell in huge numbers. So, trying not to dwell on the loss of the Yeti, let’s take a closer look at what Karoq buyers can expect.

The New Skoda Karoq Is Here, And It Makes Us A Little Sad

It’ll be plenty practical, not just due to the increase in size. One of the few things to carry over from the Yeti is the clever ‘VarioFlex’ seating arrangement, which sees the rear bench split into three separate units. Each can be adjusted individually, or removed entirely. Get rid of the lot, and you’re looking at 1810 litres of load space.

On the engine front, you’ve five different options to choose from. There’s a pair of petrol engines in the form of a 1.0-litre turbocharged inline-three with 113bhp and 129lb ft, and the super quiet, super smooth new 1.5-litre TSI Evo with 148bhp and 184lb ft available.

Want an oil-burner? There’s a 1.6-litre TDI version with 113bhp and 184lb ft, and two 2.0-litre TDIs. One puts out 148bhp, while the other is good for 186bhp and a handy 295lb ft of twist. Both front and four-wheel drive versions of the car are available.

The New Skoda Karoq Is Here, And It Makes Us A Little Sad

The Karoq will be in showrooms in the second half of 2017, joined later by - the current chatter suggests - a hot vRS version. Such a car could be quite amusing, and might in some way make up for the loss of the loveable Yeti.

What are your thoughts on the new, rather conventional Karoq?

Comments

Chewbacca_buddy (McLaren squad)(VW GTI Clubsport)(McLaren 60

Soon every car maker will have bland designs :(

05/19/2017 - 10:20 |
11 | 0
Anonymous

Is the forest background photoshoped ?!

05/19/2017 - 10:26 |
0 | 0
Jakub Grzybacz

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Judging by the reflections of trees on Škoda it’s probably real.

05/19/2017 - 14:10 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I hope it will be able to keep my ice cream cold when I drive through a burning barn.

05/19/2017 - 10:31 |
65 | 0
Range Rover (CTthegame tester)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

LOL

05/19/2017 - 10:40 |
0 | 0
Roget

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Those Top Gear memories. Good times!

05/20/2017 - 00:33 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

i want to land a helicopter on mine tho

05/20/2017 - 22:06 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I wish it had a V6.A 4 pot is just small for a car like this

05/19/2017 - 10:39 |
2 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Why not a VR6?

05/19/2017 - 10:40 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Looks pretty tho.

05/19/2017 - 10:40 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

What we need to remember is that the vast majority of car buyers have absolutely no interest in cars.
Therefore, we end up with bland generic tripe that will sell well.

05/19/2017 - 10:45 |
5 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

True.

05/19/2017 - 10:51 |
1 | 0
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Sad, but true. With the exception of the Nissan Juke…

05/19/2017 - 16:05 |
2 | 0
Noah Thorley Images

So it’s official the Yeti is dead. Now I can go walk through the Himalayas without being afraid of the abominable snowman

05/19/2017 - 11:03 |
9 | 0

We indians stlll have some of them left man, be carefull

05/20/2017 - 00:11 |
0 | 1
MrCarGuy28

I’ll forever miss the Yeti. I mean, look at my profile pic fgs

05/19/2017 - 11:33 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

A lack of quirkiness makes Doug DeMuro upset

05/19/2017 - 11:41 |
36 | 1
ivcars003

I have been following Skoda since I was born and I always liked the cars they made. BTW When did Skoda said OFFICIALY that Yeti is dead?

05/19/2017 - 12:26 |
2 | 0

This is the Yeti’s replacement!

05/19/2017 - 16:03 |
1 | 0

Topics

Manufacturers

Sponsored Posts