Skoda Karoq review - Engines, performance and drive

​Under the skin, the Skoda Karoq uses a tried-and-tested recipe, combining the VW Group’s MQB underpinnings (with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle on 2WD versions, while 4x4 cars have a multilink set-up) that also forms the basis of the Kodiaq and many other models in the Czech brand’s line-up, highlighting its versatility.

On the move, the Skoda feels sharper than the Peugeot 3008. The steering is nicely weighted and more responsive – helping the car feel more agile, with less roll when changing direction. This stems from the Karoq’s firmer suspension, but the downside is that you’ll feel more body and wheel movements than in the 3008, which smooths out poor surfaces nicely. The Karoq isn't as firm as its SEAT Ateca sister model and our group test showed that it rides better overall than the Vauxhall Grandland and Nissan Qashqai.

The faster you go, the more the Karoq’s body control comes to the fore, giving plenty of security and confidence. The slick-shifting manual gearbox is fun to use and the sculpted steering wheel feels really good in your hands.

The more energy you put through the springs and dampers, the more the ride quality calms down, but because SUVs are likely to spend lots of time in town, the firmness from the Skoda’s suspension over broken surfaces just takes the edge off the car’s otherwise impressive refinement score. 

The Sportline model comes with 19-inch alloy wheels which we felt unduly affected the Karoq's ride - causing a fairly compliant family SUV to develop unwelcome jiggliness over uneven A and B roads. Some annoying harmonics also presented themselves over concrete sections of motorway. We would recommend the smaller wheeled models for this reason - the SE L has 18-inch items. 

0-62mph acceleration and top speed 

Of the three petrol engines, the mid-range 1.5 TSI comes out as our clear favourite, although the smaller 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine performs pretty well, too. The entry-level TSI unit makes a respectable 109bhp, and while it will accelerate the Karoq from 0-62mph in 11.1 seconds, it feels a little strained at higher speeds or when fully laden. It means that when accelerating hard, you can feel and hear the work the little engine is having to put in, as the noise becomes somewhat intrusive and there’s a small amount of vibration present through the pedals.

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The larger 1.5 TSI has a broader power band, and with 148bhp it’s a stronger performer and more refined – 0 to 62mph arrives in 8.9 seconds (or 9.0 seconds with the DSG twin-clutch auto option), and you don’t have to work the engine quite so hard.

You can get the 2.0-litre TSI petrol in Sportline trim with the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel drive. With 187bhp it makes the Karoq decidedly lively with a 0-62mph time of 7s. 

The 116PS TDI turbodiesel makes roughly the same power as the entry-level petrol, but has more torque, so it doesn’t feel quite as strained when you need a bit of grunt, although it too can be noisy when stretched. It manages the 0-62mph sprint in 10.6 seconds.

The 2.0-litre TDI has 148bhp, and knocks off the benchmark sprint in 8.8 seconds, as well as offering a lot more punch for overtaking. This will help if you’re intending to tow, as will the fact that this engine can also be accompanied by all-wheel drive.