Is This The Best SUV For Under $50K? (Skoda Karoq 2023 review)

Good review. We’ve just committed to a Sport line demonstrator with the premium pack. Driven and found it to be a surprisingly delightful car. Our other car is a Land Rover Defender and I’m going to say that for a small to medium SUV the Karoq is impressive. The ride quality and sharpness of drive was a surprise.

Someone is tailgating you

I think it looks good

I recently bought a 2019 Karoq Edition with 17k miles and so far Im pleased with it. It has almost all features spec’d in and the few that are missing I’m not worried about. What I noticed when checking the brochures for later year model specifications was what was missing from the ‘standard’ spec and what had been moved to ‘optional’ spec with a significant price hike. I guess many manufacturers have been guilty of this in response to the chip shortage and lower sales volumes through the covid years.

It has a lot of failures once you get it. Specifically very bad performance of infotainment systems. It's not bad if it works but the problem is that it breaks down easily. Even new the screen goes black or doesn't work properly.

Will you be testing the Karoq Sportline?

Shkoda KaRoq, not Sskoda Carrok.

What a ridiculous looking car ... Give me one good reason to choose it

We have a 2018 Karoq 2.0 4x4 edition in the UK, and are well pleased with it l never buy new because of the value that is lost in the first few months..
Having had Fords for many years l was reluctant to lose that great handling ability but the Karoq for its size and weight has amazed me.
A sat nav. that actually works is a bonus, as Ford never sorted their sync. System.
We regularly achieve 45 mpg with DSG so am happy with that, vario flex rear seats are very useful, although like a Ford Galaxy we had years ago they are heavy and awkward to remove, and then you have to store them somewhere, but silly little things like bag hooks, nets and torch are practical touches.
Look forward to more reviews. Cheers!

Yeah I am never touching another VAG product again after my MY20.5 Karoq was so shit. From a few weeks old it became severely effected with travel assistant problems. I had to wait 4 months for a replacement steering wheel to fix the problem. Surprise! It didn’t fix it but it only did it a few times every week rather than every 3 seconds.

Then there was the glitchy infotainment system (same as the one reviewed here)

Then there were the rattles which started appearing all throughout the interior after about 10,000km.

I decided to get rid of it after I took it in for its 30,000km service because they chose to completely ignore my concern over what sounded like a broken CV joint.

On paper at the time I bought it the price was fine. I payed 48k for the 1.4tsi, 8speed with all packs. I can’t believe they’re now charging 54k for the same car and it doesn’t even come with the Canton sound system anymore! What a joke.

In theory this would’ve been a good vehicle! It was pleasant to drive, had all the latest tech. Just a shame it didn’t work!

From following Skoda FB forums it seems like Skoda is producing IMO good looking vehicles but since covid started the quality has suffered, prices have soared to put them out of contention and the lack of support from Skoda Australia has been woeful. The Karoq was at the top of my list for my next vehicle, but not any more. Toyota have to be commended for not removing parts from their vehicles (but you have to wait a LONG time for one) and their quality hasn't suffered like Skoda and Mazda (forums I follow), and the new Nissan Qashqai looks sharp and better priced as well. So greed, arrogance and quality have all suffered to damage the Skoda brand. It's going to be a long road back...

54k for a little 110kw micro SUV buzzbox? Not even a sunroof? Yeah, nah. Pass. When a brand new, same dimensions Mitsubishi ASX is 34k d/a, with bulletproof 2.4L mivec and Japanese reliability. Yeah it's unexciting but so is this pos. 20k saving for something nice!

We have a MY12 Skoda Yeti 4x4 TDI, that has hands down been the best car we have owned. With over 250,000kms on it, we are starting to look for a replacement (not there is anything really wrong with our yeti).

The Skoda Karoq is on our list but we seem to be confused by the pricing, as it doesn’t really seem like a bang for buck option anymore. While it’s still on our list for now the pricing of it seems peculiar, and IMO is overpriced by at least $5k.

It’s an SUV yes but a small one. The best SUV for under $50 is still the CX5, Sportage or tucson, which ever one tickles you for what ever reason.

I love your review style John. Concise delivery of facts and features sans any ego in the delivery. Beautiful to listen and watch as I can absorb the information in real time.
I have an aversion to the lack of aftersales service with anything VAG, but as a substitute to the Karoq, I would consider an Octavia wagon/liftback for its superior ride/handling.

Nice review John. While you pushed the 140kW Sportline you failed to mention that it does not come with the Vario Seating arrangement. To me a Sportline with Vario Seats would be the ideal car. Lloyd

Nice review, thankyou. I've had my 110/250 Karoq for 3 yrs now and couldn't be happier. Mainly around town use, but also to Sydney and beyond at least 10 times. Very low stress to drive, easy, comfortable and fuel efficient. Nothing has gone wrong yet, so it's been in 3 times for annual services only. I bought the Service Pack so they don't charge a penny more.
It's a different world now since I bought mine, not a buyer's market and cars can be hard to get, so a lot of people are mucked around when manufacturers can't get chips. I think we buyers have to suck it up until the world changes again. My next car will probably be the 2ltr Karoq, but I'm in no hurry to change this beauty. Very happy 👍

Better than the one it replaces BUT it clearly looks like a VW Tiguan. The moment this vlog started i could not shed tiguan out of my mind.

Lastly whats with razy OTT pricing??? Skoda hasnt learned from its mistakes of overpricing its cars .... predominantly the reason i didnt buy superb yrs back

Just to add, as per my contract dated 13/1/2022 a fully optioned style model with mud flaps was priced at $51,500 driveaway including dealer delivery, stamp duty and other taxes. Come June 2022, I was quoted $59,600 for the face lift version. A man's greed is his biggest downfall. The car is not worth the price increase and the value for money proposition completely diminishes. Once the price crosses $50,000, one has plenty of options at hand including MAZDA CX-5 and CX-60 which will be launched in the latter half of this year, MITSUBISHI outlander, Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail, MG,HAVEL, Hyundai Tucson, and TOYOTA Rav-4 and Corolla Cross. Go figure, why European car manufacturers don't do well in Australia. Not to forget, one of the most underrated cars, Ford Vignale. Simply superb value for money.

Thank you for the review. Have already booked a Style and delivery is expected next month. Been following your reviews to gain a better understanding.

Use to be the cheaper vw but not any more

when can we see Skoda Hybrid or PHEV in Australia?

Was pretty keen on the Karoq (Sportline) in 2020 but ended up with a Kodiaq, which I'm pretty happy with. Can't say I'm a huge fan of the facelift and the price is too much. I know the whole industry is rife with this nonsense atm, but it's going to put people off the brand.

Instead of buying a new Karoq, consider buying a well looked after 2019 model. You get nearly all the bells and whistles compared to the 2022 model at considerably lower cost. I bought a new 2019 Karoq at the interior has not noticibly changed. Mine was the 1.5 Litre. Though others around that time maybe the 1.4litre. Consider this your Option B. Good hunting.

you get nets now. I got the MY 21 Karoq and its not included.

$14-5k more than the H6? I struggle to see how it's remotely worth it, let alone some other options in the medium SUV market. This has nice some adjustable/functional cues, but at THAT price and for this small size? I struggle to see why anyone would actually buy this.

What about a Karoq R with the Golf R spec engine ???

Skodas were amazing value pre-pandemic but they seem to have lost that edge of late.
Who knows where things will shake out in coming years.

Almost Lexus UX price lol

Nice review, John and i agree its a good car to drive but to own, now thats a different story. Tbh it just seems like a face lift to me. But its a Skoda, nice car backed by arrogant and poor customer service . My customer service experience at the Skoda dealership has been very disappointing as a new car buyer. I signed a contract for the new Skoda Karoq in the month of Jan this year and put a deposit over $1k for the same. In the month of June 2022, i get a call from the Skoda dealership and they said I had to cough up $8900 extra for the new Karoq. I went through the contract and it stated the dealership can only pass on 5% of the cost increase to the new car buyer. The attitude at the dealership was if you want the car you need to pay the entire amount. So after 6 months I terminated the contract as negotiations failed and I got my deposit back. So personally speaking after my bitter experience at Skoda, being a new car buyer who has always owned Japanese cars, I don't see myself getting a car from this Manufacturer who takes new car buyers for granted. As they say, every dark cloud has a silver lining, there are new cars launching in the segment of mid size suvs. Eagerly waiting for the new Mazda Cx-60, Toyota Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai. Since a fully optioned Karoq is around $58900 driveway, might as well shop around and get better value formy money. Seriously, Skoda, you have good cars but sadly, poor customer service, is your biggest downfall. And thanks to Skoda, now I have the option of owning the most underrated car, Ford Vignale AWD which is at the same price as the Skoda with a far better engine with an 8 speed automatic and all features included with panaromana sun roof.

seems its a troc really. what was the 140tsi like on fuel ?

longer jeans please, go on lash out and go shopping

Skoda became overpriced no more good value for money, I bought Karoq in 2019 from the dealer in Melbourne for 28K driveway now this car is 14K dearer and I can't see such a huge changes comparing to mine from 2019 but I can see huge price. Skoda lost attraction with this overpriced policy.

I have just taken delivery of the Cupra Ateca VZX, the same size as the Karoq. Whe will u be road testing / reviewing that ?

That's a very expensive Yeti.

I would steer clear of Skoda for the moment. I have a MY21 Octavia RS and love driving it but until they fix the current issue affecting many vehicles they should stop selling cars that can clearly have the same faults. This is a known fault (SOS and travel assist warnings) that has been affecting cars for a while and they still haven't found a solution, just expect owners to put up with it.

What’s with the short pants?, did they shrink in the wash?
Great review as always. 😀

I appreciate that CC needs to be somewhat diplomatic given they need to work with the car companies (loan cars, launches, information releases etc), but surely this can't be an 'independent' review if they don't absolutely pan the car for that outrageous price......and this will show up in the sales because as much as its a decent car, it's $10k off the mark when you add those expensive options.
We have:
- a Mazda CX5 GTSP with the 2.5 litre engine for $54k driveaway....objectively a much much better car
- a Kia Seltos GT line with a 1.6 litre turbo with everything this karoq has but at $46k driveaway....and the new one due in Oct will be $2-3k more
- a VW TRoc 110 TSI with leather seats, sound & vision and keyless entry etc is $48k driveaway
- a VW TRoc 1140 TSI Rline with leather seats $54k driveaway
Objectively I can't see how this car gets recommended by any of the reviewers when the price is probably the top consideration for the majority of buyers......I appreciate prices have gone up over the last 2 years, but motoring journalists have to understand what is main criteria on shoppers lists.....else the majority of us will all be driving something else

Another great informative review. May look at one when we replace our Kamiq. But the price (with some packs) is getting up there.

Keen to see a review of the AWD Sportline version. We can't fit anything longer than 4.45m in our garage so the Karoq's small size + big boot + AWD is ideal for us. Other similar SUVs under 4.45m have significantly smaller boots. Though the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross looks well packaged too with a big boot while relatively small overall. Might be worth waiting.

Tiguan sadly will be the better VAG out of the group due to the pricing. It cannot be compared to the MQB A1 with the MQB A2 vehicles. What you should say is that Skodas usually have more interior space and is bigger ompared with its VW siblings.

Those prices tho.. 😳

Honda CRV is a much better car for less coin. Skoda ( like most VW group products) really are overpriced junk.

is this really better option than kia seltos?

Skodas facelifted Karoq..needs another facelift...Lol

...its no longer the budget VW brand...correct...that's be the new Cupra..oh wait

Each to his own

Bit steep 🤔🤔🤔

There’s no getting around the fact that this car is insanely expensive compared to genuine (larger) mid-sized suv rivals. I’m not sure this point should be dismissed

Any chance you could give a date for the Skoda fabia review