Skoda Karoq review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

On the road, the cabin is a hushed environment but it is marred by a little wind noise around the door pillars at higher speeds. Apart from this, the general quietness and supple ride make the Karoq a comfortable SUV. Entry-level cars do suffer from a noticeable level of engine noise under hard acceleration, though.

Throw in the supportive seats, roomy cabin, well laid out controls and high quality fit and finish, not to mention plenty of gadgets and toys on top versions, and it’s an impressive effort.

The large interior with its voluminous boot is well suited to family use, and there are a range of options you can add that will make life a little easier. Cabin features include a large Jumbo Box for gadgets and drinks that sits between the front seats, and there are plenty of storage spaces dotted around, plus foldable tables in the backs of both front seats.

Things like a space-saver spare, rough road package with engine and chassis guards, a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control are all either standard or available optionally to improve how easy the Karoq is to live with.

Size

The Karoq is noticeably bigger than its predecessor, the Yeti, and measures 4,382mm long, 1,841mm wide and 1,603mm tall. That compares with the 4,447mm length of the Peugeot 3008, or 4,394mm of the Nissan Qashqai, so it’s pretty much on par with its rivals. 

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Leg room, head room & passenger space

There’s good leg and headroom in any of the seats in the Skoda Karoq – in fact the rear-seat passengers do slightly better for headroom than those in back of the larger Kodiaq. Taller rear seat passengers may find their knees brushing on the seat backs even with the standard Varioflex rear bench pushed as far back as it will go but rear legroom is generally very good for the class. 

Boot

Depending on spec the Karoq’s tailgate raises electrically, and there’s a ‘virtual pedal’ that allows you to open it with the waggle of a foot under the rear bumper if your hands are full. Once it’s open you’re greeted by an impressive load area that’s practically shaped and roomy. In standard form it will swallow 521 litres with the rear seats in place, or a huge 1,630 litres with them folded.

Opt for the VarioFlex rear seats and you can adjust the ‘seats up’ figure to 588 litres – although more luggage space means less legroom. Removing the rear seats completely brings a van-like 1,810 litres.