New pricing regime for Karoq

SKODA has this week announced upgrades and repricing for their internal combustion engine powered Karoq medium size SUV giving buyers up to $4500 more standard kit compared to the previous iteration.

Offering ‘more’ car for a small hike in price is standard operating procedure for car-makers wanting to keep their product front of mind with buyers spoiled for choice.

Included with this upgrade is a revised look, extra advanced technologies and smart convenience features. New generation models will most likely be EVs so this would potentially be the penultimate or final ICE Karoq.

Skoda says Karoq will continue to offer Australian buyers class-leading practicality with the Style from $42,990 drive-away, and an even more emotional driving experience with the Sportline 4x4 from $49,990 drive-away.

With Skoda’s “Simply Clever” mantra resonating, revised Karoq is offered here with a broad range of abilities and luxury appointments thanks to the continuance of Skoda’s big-value packages that lump the most sought after options into a one box tick.

Popular Karoq Style offers $4,500 in additional value compared with the outgoing version, now with 18-inch alloy wheels (up from 17s), LED headlights, front parking sensors (in addition to rear), virtual pedal for the power tailgate, power folding and heated side mirrors, rear dynamic indicators, rear spoiler, extended pedestrian protection (for autonomous emergency braking), driving profile selection, digital radio, wireless phone charging, front and rear map reading lights and luggage nets. 

The latter feature underscores the versatility of Karoq Style’s VarioFlex rear seating arrangement which allows for the three-segment rear seat to be individually removed, folded or moved forward or back thanks to the sliding function – in turn allowing the 588-litre boot to extend to 1605 litres with rear seats backrests down, and to 1810 litres with rear seats taken out.

Step up to the more powerful and off-road focused Karoq Sportline 4x4 and buyers will find it has $4100 in additional value compared with the outgoing version.

Sportline now features full Matrix LED headlights including adaptive high-beam, front parking sensors, virtual pedal, digital radio, wireless charging, extended pedestrian protection (for autonomous emergency braking), rear dynamic indicators, luggage nets and rear spoiler.

While Karoq Style powers on with a 1.4-litre, turbo four-cylinder petrol engine generating 110kW and 250Nm driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission, Karoq Sportline 4x4 ups that to a 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine and seven-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) for 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds.

Both models are capable of consuming less than 7.0 litres per 100km on the combined cycle with the Style dipping as low as 6.5L/100km and the Sportline a snip more at 6.6L/100km.

These improved performance and fuel consumption figures better those of the previous Karoq thanks to aerodynamic improvements.

Skoda national sales and planning manager Kieran Merrigan said Karoq continues to offer 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 4x4 for sporty fun and technology for under $50,000 drive-away.”

Addressing a significant Euro’ car ownership concern, Skoda offers easier and cheaper multiple servicing options for Karoq including the ‘prepaid’ service packs or ‘pay as you go’ service subscription plans.

The fully transferable seven-year service package costs $2400 – a price includes the first three services free, plus roadside assistance for the duration.

For maximum flexibility, existing customers can purchase a ‘used car’ package, or ‘top up’ an existing three- or five-year service plan to the full seven years.

Karoq customers can alternatively select their annual mileage in concert with a level of servicing coverage to be provided with a service and maintenance monthly subscription plan best suited to their needs.

This includes Value, Essential and Complete plans – with roadside assistance and a service loan car. An owner travelling 15,000km per year will pay from $39.50 per month.

All new SKODAs come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.