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Skoda Karoq review – fit for purpose - Interior and tech

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

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

Interior and tech

In typical Skoda form the Karoq is stuffed to the gunwales with useful pockets, holders, cubbyholes and gadgets to make any task that you might perform in the car, other than driving, as easy as possible. There’s a clip on the windscreen to hold parking tickets, a removable torch in the boot and an umbrella under the rear seats as standard.

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A few extras can make it even easier to live with, like a bin with a liner in the door pocket, a heated windscreen, a boot that opens if you wave your foot underneath the rear bumper, as well as foldable tables and tablet holders for the rear passengers.

The interior is definitely functional, and it looks it. There’s very little decoration or embellishment on the inside of the Karoq, but it’s far from offensive and it’s pleasant enough space to spend time.

You do get a good range of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel, and there's a definite VW Group logic to the placement of all the controls, whether major or minor. Some may find the seats themselves a little too firm, but they're also well-shaped so long journeys can be undertaken comfortably. Skoda's infotainment system is easy to fathom too, even if it's not quite at the cutting edge of the market.

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