Verdict

It’s a solid start for the Karoq, which seems full of the sort of practical touches that make Skodas such popular cars with so many people. Will it show enough charm over the next six months to worm its way properly into our affections, though? That might be a tougher ask.

• Mileage: 4,537
• Economy: 44.9mpg

We chop and change a lot between different manufacturers with our long-term test cars, but it’s always reassuring to go back to a brand you’ve experienced (and enjoyed) before. That’s certainly the case for me now, as I welcome the latest, updated Skoda Karoq to our fleet.

I’ve plenty of experience of the Czech company’s vehicles, having had everything from a 1.2-litre Yeti to a Superb and even a Octavia vRS spending extended stays on my driveway over the years. And I’m pleased to say that the Karoq – which remains one of Skoda’s most important models in the UK – feels very much like a typically sensible evolution of those models’ values.

In particular, I’m keen to see if, over my higher mileages, the Karoq can deliver the practicality and charm of the Yeti – a car that I loved, and a model with many devotees. There’s no doubt that the new arrival is a bit less quirky than the car it replaced – even if it does stand out in Phoenix Orange metallic paint – but time will tell if there are enough little touches to make me love it.

The spec we’ve gone for is a 2.0-litre diesel edition with 148bhp, four-wheel drive and a DSG automatic transmission. That may seem slightly out of kilter with current trends, but higher-mileage drivers like me can still find lots of appeal in a diesel SUV that does the shifting for itself.

Our example is in SE L trim, which brings plenty of standard kit, although we have dabbled a little in the options list. The aforementioned paint certainly makes our Karoq clearly visible in pretty much any car park, but at £1,045, it’s probably a trick that most buyers would forgo in favour of more subtle (and cheaper) metallic shades.

Curiously, SE L Karoqs come with Skoda’s eight-inch Amundsen infotainment system, which is slick enough, but a little bit on the small side for a modern family SUV. So we’ve ticked the £1,400 box for Skoda’s flagship Columbus set-up; it packs a more punchy processor and brings a 9.2-inch display that fills out the space in the Karoq’s dashboard a bit more effectively. Unlike the paint, this is a feature that I can already imagine plenty of customers going for.

There’s no real need to delve any deeper in the options list, though, because SE L already provides 18-inch alloy wheels, front USB-C ports, front and rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera, cruise control and LED headlights.

Of course, a diesel SUV is made for long journeys and I had an early chance to put that to the test, as I loaded up the car to go and visit my twin brother in Cornwall. The Karoq started to deliver on practicality straight away; the boot is big enough for a few decent-sized suitcases and the dog bed, and the central rear seatback folds forward to create a useful armrest and drinks holder.

The Skoda is nicely finished inside, its seats strike a good balance between comfort and support, and there are plenty of mod cons up front – including a heated leather steering wheel and enough cup-holders even for someone with my caffeine addiction – to make the long journey down to Cornwall enjoyable. I was surprised, too, at just how agile the car felt once I got off the motorways and trunk routes and onto some smaller Cornish roads.

I’m already beginning to find the car’s clever touches, too. There are a couple of solid hooks in the boot that will be useful
for holding my camera bags, and my family already appreciate the fold-down tables that are integrated into the front seat backs.

The only negative point so far is a very early top-up of engine coolant. As I passed the 2,500-mile mark, the warning light briefly came on, and sure enough, the level in the reservoir tank was just below the minimum mark. But I haven’t seen any leaks and after topping up with recommended coolant, the levels seem to be fine.

*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.