What's the news?
Skoda's Yeti, a terrific compact SUV, never sold all that well, thanks largely to polarising styling, but it looks very much as if its successor, the new Karoq, will be bothering the top-selling cars on a regular basis. More conventionally styled than the Yeti, the Karoq has now arrived in Ireland and it starts with a price tag of €27,715.
That means it's more expensive than its stablemate, the SEAT Ateca, with the same (surprisingly lively) 115hp 1.0-litre petrol turbo engine as its entry-level unit. According to Skoda, though, the Karoq range effectively starts with a specced-up model, the Ambition, and standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, rear parking sensors, and a big eight-inch infotainment touch screen. Going for the new 1.5 TSI 150hp petrol will set you back €29,715 in the same Ambition spec. If you want a diesel, the 1.6 TDI 115hp will cost you €29,165.
Upgrading to Style spec gets you a bigger 9.2-inch touchscreen, and Skoda Connect online services which includes an emergency call system, Google Maps overlays for the sat-nav, and online servicing and vehicle information systems, as well as live weather, news, traffic, fuel prices, and more. It comes free for the first year, and costs €70 a year thereafter. Options include a wifi hotspot and a wireless phone charger.
Other standard Style kit includes 18-inch wheels, DAB radio, rear parking camera, and keyless entry and ignition. The 1.0-litre TSI costs €30,315 in Style trim; the 1.5 TSI €32,315; and the 1.6 TDI €31,765. There are also 2.0-litre diesel options in Style spec - a 150hp 4x4 model for €35,765, and an automatic DSG version of the same for €37,765. The DSG auto is also available as an option on all the other engines and in Ambition trim, costing around €2,000.
The Karoq is also much more practical than the old Yeti. Boot space increases to 521 litres for the standard model, or 588 litres for one with the optional Varioflex rear seats (which fold, and which can be removed entirely).
Speaking at the launch of the Karoq, Mark Mulvaney, PR Manager at Skoda Ireland, said: "Already, we have seen unprecedented demand for the new Karoq - especially from the higher specified Style models. Customers are taking time to specify their Karoqs online and are availing of great option packs, such as the Style plus package with Panoramic Sunroof and Electric Tailgate from €1,399. In addition, we have leading PCP Finance rates from 3.9 per cent APR and monthly payments from €319 per month."