The Skoda Karoq has received a mid-life update, with a new look, updated cabin and safety technologies, and extra comfort features, but a familiar engine line-up.
The facelifted 2022 Skoda Karoq has been revealed, ahead of its Australian launch next March.
Following updates to the larger Kodiaq earlier this year, the updated Karoq ushers in exterior, interior and technology changes to continue Skoda’s mid-size SUV challenge to the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and its Volkswagen Tiguan twin.
Up front, reshaped LED headlights – now available with matrix technology, which blanks out parts of the headlight beam so not to dazzle oncoming drivers – flank a new grille, which is wider and more aggressive than before. Separate fog light units sit below, alongside reshaped lower intakes.
New alloy wheel designs (up to 19 inches in diameter) fill the arches, while at the rear changes to the now-four-year-old Karoq include slimmer tail-lights – retaining a C-shaped LED signature, but adding scrolling indicators and a ‘welcome’ animation – and a larger upper spoiler that reduces air turbulence.
The spoiler, new alloy wheel designs, front air curtains and an aerodynamically-optimised fuel tank undertray (on all-wheel-drive models) combine to reduce drag by more than nine per cent, cutting the coefficient of drag to 0.30 – making the Karoq one of the most aerodynamic mid-size SUVs on sale, according to Skoda.
The Sportline model continues for 2022, featuring standard 18-inch (or 19-inch in Australia) wheels, unique badging, rear privacy glass, and gloss black finishes for the grille, window surround, roof rails, rear diffuser elements and mirror caps. Two new colours are available for the wider range.
Inside, the Karoq gains the Volkswagen Group’s latest ‘MIB3’ infotainment system, housed within an 8.0-inch ‘Amundsen’ screen in entry-level models, or an upgraded 9.2-inch ‘Columbus’ setup with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the ‘Laura’ voice assistant, over-the-air updates, an eSIM, and support for the MySkoda phone app.
A choice of 8.0-inch or 10.25-inch digital instrument displays sit in front of the driver, joining new features for 2022 including an extended ambient lighting package, an available electric passenger seat, and memory functionality for the electric front seats.
Available in Europe is a new Eco pack, which adds an array of sustainable materials including leather-like vegan seat upholstery (made from recycled PET bottles) and Mocha Brown microsuede armrests.
Sportline models (in Europe) add a unique three-spoke steering wheel (with Sportline badging), sports seats with integrated headrests, black ‘ThermoFlux’ upholstery, Piano Black accents, carbon-fibre-look trim and black headlining, among other items.
Safety has seen an upgrade with the addition of the Volkswagen Group’s Travel Assist driving system, capable of accelerating, braking and steering the Karoq within its lane at freeway speeds (though it’s unclear if this system is as comprehensive as the Volkswagen Golf’s, which can operate at up to 210km/h).
Other available active safety systems include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, traffic-sign recognition (now upgraded for improved accuracy), park assist, long-range blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera.
While the exterior, interior and technology have all been given attention as part of the Karoq’s mid-life update, it’s a different story under the bonnet – at least in Australia, where buyers will have a choice of carry-over, front-wheel-drive 110TSI Style and all-wheel-drive 140TSI Sportline variants.
The 110TSI badge will continue to refer to a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission – rather than the more efficient 1.5-litre turbo engine and seven-speed dual-clutch auto offered locally until 2019, before priority given to Europe (where strict emissions rules apply) saw the combination dropped locally.
The 140TSI Sportline will continue to use a 140kW/320Nm version of the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, powering all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A petrol particulate filter is expected to be retained, necessitating the use of premium fuel.
European buyers will be given a wider spread of engine choices, from a 81kW/200Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder, to a 110kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.
The 2022 Skoda Karoq facelift will arrive in Australia in March 2022. Local pricing and specifications will be announced closer to launch, though expect increases over the current range, which spans from $38,990 to $45,990 drive-away.
While the Karoq is Skoda’s second best-selling model globally, it’s the slowest selling of the brand’s three SUVs, with 1430 examples reported as sold over the first 10 months of 2021, compared to 1619 Kodiaq models and 1889 Kamiq examples.
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