Skip advert
Advertisement

Skoda Karoq review – fit for purpose - MPG and running costs

Skoda’s new small SUV is certainly capable, but lacks the character and spirit of its Yeti predecessor

Evo rating
Price
from £20,880
  • Excellent, well-sorted controls; thoughtful interior gadgets; compact dimensions
  • Fun factor is absent; similar SEAT Ateca is more affordable

MPG and running costs

There isn’t a Karoq available whose combined MPG figure is below 50mpg; the 1.5-litre petrol version with the DSG transmission just about sneaks above with 50.4mpg. That’s even with the 1.5 having Active Cylinder Deactivation (ACT), which effectively allows the Karoq to run on two cylinders during light throttle applications, helping to cut fuel use. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

If you want to be as frugal as possible you’ll need the 1.6-litre diesel DSG version, with an official combined figure of 64.2mpg. Achieving that in the real world will be more of a challenge, but in our experience it's still possible to extract impressive economy figures from most VW Group engines. We have a sneaking suspicion though that the 2.0 TDI might be better in the real world than the 1.6 unless driven particularly gently - that extra torque makes for fewer downchanges to keep pace with traffic.

The Karoq's relatively low consumption is reflected in relatively low CO2 figures which in turn mean palatable VED costs. 1.0 TSIs manage 119g/km, manual 1.5 TSIs are 123g/km, 1.6 TDIs come in at 120g/km, and the 4x4 2.0 TDI with the manual gearbox has a CO2 figure of 131g/km. That means, respectively, VED bills of £165 in year one and £140 thereafter for the first three cars, and £205 in first-year VED for the 2.0 TDI and £140 thereafter.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024