MOTORS: Skoda range represents some of the best buys
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
It’s hard to believe but some people are still decidedly sniffy about Skodas.
“Oh I couldn’t possibly drive one of those,” is the sort of comment I’ve heard when I’ve been praising the qualities and value for money of the Czech brand.
I just don’t get it. The old jokes of the past have quite rightly been long ago dispatched to the past and to my mind the entire Skoda range represents some of the best buys in any showroom.
They’re not as cheap as they used to be having moved up from the bargain basement to the more upmarket floors but with the rise in prices, you now get superb quality with a range of equipment to rival and exceed all other options in their segment of the market.
As part of the giant VW Group – along with Audi, Seat and Volkswagen itself – what you get is the expertise and quality standards of the German manufacturer but with an individual stamp and savings of several thousands of pounds over the equivalent model with four rings on the grille.
I was reminded of just how good Skodas have become in my few days with the latest version of the Karoq, the second SUV model in its line-up which has been with us for six years with more than half-a-million sold around the world.
It’s a straightforward and practical family SUV with flexible seating options and loads of space for passengers and all their luggage. Couple that with superb build quality, stylish, well-designed interior and loads of standard equipment, including the trademark built-in umbrella and you have a great piece of kit which is a delight to drive and comfortable wherever you are sitting.
The featured SE L test car has a vast range of equipment on top of the comprehensive standard fittings, including the VarioFlex rear seats that can be individually adjusted or completely removed creating a vast boot space.
The SE L also brings Amundsen satnav, heated leather multifunction steering wheel, microsuede heated front seats, drive mode select, front and rear parking sensors and rear view camera.
The 1.5 litre TSI petrol engine is capable with plenty of torque and doesn’t hang about when you want to be quick off the mark, hitting 62mph in just over nine seconds.
Unusually, there’s no hybrid version but the engineers have done clever work to make the standard engine clean, efficient with performance which is well up to the job including an impressive towing capacity of up to 1700kgs.
Active Cylinder Technology helps reduce fuel consumption by automatically shutting down two cylinders when engine load is low.
If you need more grunt and some offroad ability, there’s the top of the range 2.0 TSI 190 petrol, which has four-wheel drive as standard and is available only in the more expensive Sportline trim.
The latest version has the same overall profile but has been updated with some dramatic details. There’s a wider hexagonal grille, restyled front and rear aprons, as well as slimmer and sharper LED headlights and tail lights with the daytime running lights split in two.
Aerodynamics have been improved by new alloy wheels with Aero inserts, a longer rear spoiler, side finlets on the rear window and a covered underbody.
There have been big changes on the inside too. You have the choice of sustainable materials for the upholstery such as with the Eco pack where the seat covers are partly made from recycled PET bottles.
You also have the option of enhanced LED ambient lighting, which now also illuminates the rear door trim in one of 10 colours.
The dash layout is clean, crisp and sensible so it’s easy to find your way about without too much fiddling and with its slightly raised ride height, all round visibility is excellent.
There’s little to find fault with – and certainly nothing to be sniffy about.
Skoda Karoq SE L
PRICE: £32,165 (£34,950 as tested)
ENGINES: 1.5 TSI 4 cyl petrol 7-speed DSG
POWER: 150 PS
TORQUE: 250Nm
TOP SPEED: 130mph
0-62 mph: 9.1 secs
TOWING CAPACITY: 1700kgs (braked)
MPG: 44 mpg combined
CO2 EMISSIONS: 143 g/km
