Driven: Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI Edition 2017

Skoda is making serious inroads into the all-road/off-road SUV market, but if you think the seven-seat Kodiaq is on the large side, now there’s the five-seat Karoq. Based on the MQB platform, it’s related to the Seat Ateca and VW T-Roc, and is none the worse for that, that’s for sure.

The version we’re testing here has the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and it will probably be the most popular in the UK market. It comes with front-wheel drive only as you’ll need the top diesel version to access four-wheel drive. We’ve added the seven-speed DSG auto transmission, making this very much an SUV for the road – which is how most buyers like it.

With 148bhp and 184lb ft of torque, it’s no surprise that this is an engine tuned here to offer lots of midrange rather than a scintillating top end. You can rev it out to 6000rpm if you want, but for most of the time you’ll be letting the transmission shift up relatively early, ensuring you stay in the fat torque band for easy progress.

You wouldn’t call this an exciting drive, but then you probably weren’t looking for that anyway. This is sensible, practical, wholesome progress, something you can keep up all day without getting frazzled. Cruising is a calm experience, gearshifts are smooth, and the chassis copes well with our road system, most of which now looks like it was modelled on a backstreet in Lagos (Nigeria, not Portugal).

The suspension copes will with broken surfaces, the steering is direct and the ride is comfy, although you will get some body lean if you start throwing it around too hard. Passengers might not appreciate that, but otherwise there will be few complaints from those in the cabin.

Again, you wouldn’t call the interior exciting, but it is well designed and built, albeit with a sense that Eeyore had more of a hand in the design than Tigger. It’s not light and frivolous, but is sensible and robust, as befits an SUV. The touchscreen infotainment system is sparkling clear and fast in operation, while back from there there is oodles of space for everyone.

Adding yet more practicality you can fold, slide or remove the rear bench seat but with it out of the vehicle you’re left with the sort of space – 1810 litres – where you could comfortably accommodate Eeyore and his house of sticks and still have room for a pile of dank thistles.

All this and, as Skoda have a fine rep for doing, there is a full party bag of standard equipment in this Edition spec: powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, LED lights, and power-operated driver’s seat, to highlight just a few. It’s important to note that at this higher end of the spectrum you’re looking at a price not far off £30,000, so don’t get too distracted by the starting point for the Karoq of only £20,875. But, wherever you buy in the range, you’re assured of a very competent companion with a good haul of equipment, and excellent value for money.

Skoda Karoq 1.5 TSI Edition DSG