Skoda Karoq Sportline set at $39,990

SKODA Australia has set a $39,990 (plus on-road costs) starting price for the new flagship version of its Karoq mid-size SUV, the 140TSI Sportline 4x4, which boosts performance and brings four-wheel drive to the model line for the first time.

Set to be launched in June as the headline act of a broader model-year update for Karoq, the Sportline is positioned $7000 upstream of the only other variant in the range, the continuing 110TSI which sticks with a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and in MY20 guise has pushed up marginally in price to $32,990 (+$70) plus on-roads.

The 140TSI Sportline goes a long way in upping the spec, sportiness and potency over the 110TSI, featuring the familiar VW Group EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine – as seen in the Golf GTI although detuned in this application to 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

Drive is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the engine requires premium unleaded due the fitment of a petrol particulate filter.

“This version of the Karoq, the sporting choice, is built at our Czech factory with a filtered engine,” said Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer.

“We emphasise the necessity of using premium fuel only. You’ll be rewarded with the most engaging drive of any SUV at this price.”

Riding on 19-inch Vega alloy wheels, the Sportline is distinguished by its black-accented sports bodykit and full-LED headlights, while the interior scores extra treats such as a multifunction sports steering wheel (with shift paddles), perforated leather upholstery and stainless-steel sports pedals.

Full local specifications will be released closer to launch.

The 110TSI 1.4-litre version continues to produce 110kW/250Nm. As GoAuto has reported, the six-speed manual gearbox that previously opened the range at $29,990 is no longer available, leaving an Aisin-sourced eight-speed torque-converter transmission as the automatic choice.

Both variants will be fitted with a digital instrument cluster – or ‘virtual cockpit’ as the car-maker describes it, which will feature on all MY20 Skoda models except Fabia – while Skoda’s Varioflex adjustable seating system is also standard, enabling the rear seats to fold, slide and even be removed.

With the rear seats in place and slid all the way back, the Karoq offers 479 litres of cargo space, rising to 588L with the seats at the forwardmost position, 1605L when folded flat and 1810L when completely removed.

As it has with other models, Skoda Australia has experienced tight supply of the Karoq since its launch in 2018.

Nonetheless, with the arrival of the hotly anticipated high-performance Kodiaq RS large SUV later this month and the smaller Kamiq model line to follow in July, Mr Irmer said it was likely Skoda Australia would sell more SUVs in 2020 than passenger cars.

So far this year ending February, Skoda Australia has recorded 1129 sales across its full range, marking a 25 per cent increase year-on-year with the bulk of the sales coming from the Octavia mid-size passenger car (361 units, +109.9%) and seven-seat Kodiaq SUV (324, +4.2%).

Karoq is currently the brand’s third-best seller with 210 sales to the end of February this year (+61.5%).

Last year, Skoda recorded 1105 Karoq sales.

2020 Skoda Karoq pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs