What's the news?
Skoda's much-anticipated new Karoq crossover (its direct rival to the Qashqai et al) arrives in Irish dealers in early December and it has an... interesting price tag.
With a starting price of €27,715 for the Ambition model with the 1.0-litre TSI 115hp petrol engine, the Karoq kicks off at around €1,000 more expensive than a basic Nissan Qashqai, and €2,000 more than the cheapest SEAT Ateca.
Skoda's rationale, though, is that those basic models are just that - basic, bereft of toys and equipment, whereas the cheapest Karoq is a model that people might actually want to buy. Ambition trim comes with 17-inch Ratikon alloys, an eight-inch touch screen Bolero radio, two-zone 'Climatronic' air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, Smart Link for your mobile, and chrome roof rails and window surrounds.
If you want the 1.5-litre TSI 150hp pertrol engine, then that'll be €29,165, while the cheapest diesel, the 1.6-litre TDI with 116hp, is €29,715.
Skoda's aiming right at the practical, family-centric market with the Karoq, pointing out that with the seats folded down, the boot is a cavernous 1,810 litres (it's 521 litres as standard with the seats up, 588 litres maxed-out with the VarioFlex seating option) as well as having an optional electric tailgate, and an umbrella stashed under the front passenger seat. In spite of being bigger than the Yeti (which it more or less replaces) it's around 13kg lighter.
Speaking at the launch of the Karoq, Mark Mulvaney, PR Manager at Skoda Ireland, said: "After the huge success of the Kodiaq our SUV journey continues with the arrival of the Karoq. This is a hugely important vehicle for us moving into 2018 and one that we see taking Skoda's SUV range to the next level. Irish customers can expect to see the Karoq in dealer showrooms later this winter in time to order for January 2018."