Skoda Karoq 2022 review
Photo: LuvsMG481, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The facelifted Skoda Karoq went on sale in the UK in spring 2022 after its February reveal, and Skoda kept the recipe simple: just three trims (SE Drive, SE L and SportLine) with prices from £25,950 to £31,835, and the digital cockpit, LED headlights and sat-nav made standard across the board. Entry prices rose about £1,500, but even base SE Drive cars were widely judged to miss out on little.
The engine line-up leaned on proven VAG hardware. The 1.0 TSI 110 three-cylinder (200Nm, 10.3-second 0-62mph, 44.8-48.8mpg WLTP) opens the range, the 1.5 TSI 150 (250Nm, 8.8 seconds) is the sweet spot for motorway work, and diesels come as a 116PS or 150PS 2.0 TDI — the latter with 340Nm and a 4x4 DSG option that tows up to 2,100kg. SportLine-only buyers could have the 190PS 2.0 TSI quattro. There is no hybrid option at all — a weakness against the Qashqai and Sportage.
The Karoq's trump card remains VarioFlex: three individually sliding rear seats that lift out entirely, expanding the boot from 521 litres to 1,630 litres folded and 1,810 litres with the seats removed (standard on SE L and SportLine). Facelift aero work cut drag to Cd 0.30 with a longer rear spoiler and air curtains, while 'Simply Clever' touches — umbrella under the passenger seat, ice scraper in the fuel flap, folding seat-back tables — kept the family-friendly vibe. Five-star Euro NCAP from 2017 carries over, as does the 3-year/60,000-mile warranty.
Used, the 1.5 TSI 150 in SE L spec is the buy: the sweet-spot engine for motorway work plus keyless entry, the Winter Pack (heated seats and wheel) and the Parking Pack. Skoda's 3-year/60,000-mile cover is mid-pack for the class, and the core 1.5 TSI and 2.0 TDI engines are long-established units — though note the 1.0 TSI's 132g/km CO2 lands it in a 31% Benefit-in-Kind band, poor for fleet buyers.
UK price from: £25,950
Specifications
| Engine | 1.0L TSI turbocharged petrol (1.5 TSI / 2.0 TDI / 2.0 TSI in range) |
| Power | 110 PS (110 bhp) |
| Torque | 200 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 10.3 seconds (1.0 TSI manual) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual / 7-speed DSG |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive (4x4 on TDI/TSI variants) |
| Fuel economy | 44.8-48.8 mpg combined (WLTP, 1.0 TSI) |
| CO2 emissions | 132-143 g/km (1.0 TSI) |
| Boot space | 521 litres (1,810 with VarioFlex removed) |
| Towing | 2,100 kg braked (2.0 TDI 150 4x4) |
| Insurance group | 12-15 (1.0 TSI) |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2017) |
Features
- Facelifted 2022 design with wider hexagonal grille and slimmer LED lights front and rear
- 1.5 TSI 150 petrol: 150PS, 250Nm, 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds, real-world 45mpg+ on runs
- VarioFlex sliding and removable rear seats: 521 to 1,810 litres of load space
- Digital cockpit and 8-inch touchscreen sat-nav with wireless Apple CarPlay standard
- Matrix LED headlights, panoramic sunroof and electric tailgate on SportLine
- Winter Pack (SE L and up): heated front seats, heated steering wheel and washer nozzles
- Parking Pack (SE L): front and rear sensors plus rear camera
- Five-star Euro NCAP (2017) with front assist and lane-keeping systems
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £43.48 | Catalogue-verified UK listing; pattern part |
| Oil filter | £12.08 | Catalogue-verified UK listing; OE-quality pattern part |
| Engine air filter | £15.99 | Typical UK retail estimate |
| Cabin pollen filter | £13.99 | Typical UK retail estimate |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £19.99 | Typical UK retail estimate |
| 12V battery | £99.99 | Typical UK retail estimate |
Pros
- VarioFlex seating is genuinely unique in class — van-like 1,810 litres with seats removed
- Even base SE Drive is generously equipped: nav, LED lights and digital dash
- 1.5 TSI pairs VED-friendly CO2 with real-world 45mpg+ on long runs
- Big-car boot (521 litres) plus honest rear legroom for a mid-size SUV
- 2.0 TDI 150 4x4 tows 2,100kg — a genuine caravan and hauler option in this class
Cons
- No hybrid option at all — rivals offer e-Power or PHEV, hurting company-car BiK appeal
- Facelift ride is firmer than the pre-facelift car, especially on 19-inch SportLine wheels
- 1.0 TSI's 132g/km CO2 attracts a 31% Benefit-in-Kind band — poor for fleet buyers
- DSG automatics push insurance groups to 19-21, lifting running costs
