Skoda Karoq

By Bill McCarthy

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It only seems five minutes ago since the stylish Karoq was launched in 2017. But now it has had an upgrade, looking even more aerodynamically stylish, with an upgraded interior, sustainable materials, more state-of-the-art assistance and safety systems and, to judge by the public reaction, attractive colours.

Together with bigger sibling the Kodiaq and small family member the Kamiq, it makes for an impressive SUV range. Very impressive in fact, offering style, practicality comfort, value for money and, on this model, excellent performance.

Upgrades include new body-coloured sporty bumper sitting below the wider, restyled hexagonal grille, smart roofbars, slimmer lights to front and rear, privacy glass and panoramic roof, and Karoq lettering is featured on the doors sills and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The new shape improves aerodynamics by nine per cent, which delivers lower emissions and better economy.

Latest upgrades include a new 10.25-inch virtual cockpit digital display and the centrepiece on this version is a 9.2 inch touchscreen, controlling functions like navigation, infotainment and smartphone connectivity. Bluetooth and DAB radio is available as is a permanent internet connection for Skoda services.

There are three trim grades, SE Drive, SE L and SportLine and three petrol and two diesel engines. All are well equipped,with this model offering all the bells and whistles you could wish for.

‘It’s a whole lot of car for the money’

The microsuede heated and powered seats are comfortable and supportive with good head and legroom available. it also features brushed metal dashboard inserts, soft touch finish and smart multi-function two-spoke steering wheel and aluminium pedals while the SportLline logo is prominent throughout.

In practical terms, the split rear seats offer a number of combinations for maximum stowage, while the large, almost cavernous boot space has hooks and netting to keep cargo secure. It also features the virtual pedal, which allows you to simulate a pedal under the boot for it to open electronically.

On the road, the two litre190 PS petrol engine delivers plenty of grunt. Mated with a seven-speed auto gearbox, it hits 60mph in just seven seconds – an impressive turn for speed for the type of vehicle. It is particularly impressive on the motorway, cruising effortlessly with plenty in reserve for rapid overtaking.

It is a smooth and refined engine while the gear changes via the DSG box are seamless. It’s a sporty engine and a sporty suspension set up allows the car to handle well, while at the same time smoothing out the worst of our roads, while the car always feels stable and composed, particular on twisting country lanes. When conditions require, Skoda’s tested all-wheel drive capability gives extra traction and has proven over the years to be a more than capable off-road performer.

Considering the performance available, it is still pretty frugal with nearly 40mpg claimed. Not bad for a car with 4×4 capability.

Skoda’s Simply Clever gizmos have been around for a while now and originally thought of as gimmicks, they are all in fact practical touches and include door pockets to hold water bottles, umbrella under the passenger seat, a mini waste-bin, which really isn ’t that practical and the always useful ice scraper inside the filler cap.

It is packed with safety kit with a full range of airbags, and active and passive features which include stability control, driver drowsiness alerts, cross traffic warning, front race with automatic braking and a host of other features.

Prices for the new Karoq range from £26,255. It’s a whole lot of car for the money.

Factfile

Skoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TSI 190PS DSG 4×4

Price: £37,295

Mechanical: 190PS, 1,998hp petrol engine driving all wheels via wheels via 7-speed,auto gearbox

Max speed: 137mph

0-60mph: 7 seconds

Combine mpg: 38mpg

Insurance group: 21

CO2 emissions: 174g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

SEAT Arona

By Bill McCarthy

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SEAT’s baby SUV faces stiff competition in a market overflowing with excellent products, but is a stylish and reliable competitor that offers something a bit different.

Smart, sassy, stylish and desirable, SEAT along with sister brand CUPRA, is the sportier arm of the VW group.

Recently facelift the exterior has been tweaked, while there are more comprehensive changes to the interior and an upgrade in connectivity.

There’s a change to the trims available with SE, SE Technology, FR, FR Sport, Xperience and Xperience Lux ,which has replaced the Xcellence, together with a choice of 10 colours.

Sportier styling is part of the DNA of SEAT in the wider VW group and  its sharp sculpted lines and creases remain, but there is a new grille, front bumper and new, repositioned foglamps, smart black roof rails and protective side moulding.

The lights include LED technology and other neat improvements are smart 17 or 18-inch alloys, while at the rear the sporty theme is enhanced by a spoiler and diffuser, twin exhaust pipes, while the model’s Arona name is in embossed handwritten lettering on the boot.

Despite its size, the commanding driving position gives the feeling of driving a larger vehicle. It offers plenty for the money with even the entry SE offering 17-inch alloys, bi-colour roof/body, hill hold control and air conditioning, double boot floor and automatic headlights.

In addition there are height adjustable front seats, split folding rear seats, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, cruise control, speed limiter and lane assist, auto dimming rear-view mirror, and electric front and rear windows.

The FR Sport driven here, is, as the name implies, an evern sportier version and features microsuede, heated sports seats,18-in  alloys, tinted rear windows, electric folding doorr mirrors, ‘see me home’ lighting, interior ambient lighting and rain-sensing wipers.

The centre screen is the brain of the car where infotainment and connectivity while this model features the clever digital cockpit for driver information. 

The centre screen controls built-in sat-nav, a DAB radio, wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. It is fully connected with in-car and out-car connectivity, including wireless Full Link integration and SEAT Connect.

Users can remotely access their vehicle’s data, such as driving data, parking position and vehicle status including doors and lights. They can set-up speed alerts so you can be warned if someone using your vehicle is driving too quickly, area and anti-theft alerts, opening and closing of the doors with the remote lock and unlock service, or remotely activating the horn and turn signals to find the car more easily.

It cannot be denied that a compact vehicle of this nature has to make compromises with space. Even so, most people have sufficient head and legroom in the front, the rear is cramped, especially for those six footers.

Compact, but still practical, boot space remains at 400 litres increasing to 823 litres with rear seats folded to the top of seatbacks and 1,280 litres when loaded to the roof, while a double floor makes the rear even more versatile.

On the road the gutsy three-cylinder petrol engine delivers 108bhp with style, and mated to a DSG automatic, it hits 60mph in around 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 113mph. The steering is responsive and the handling, not surprisingly, sporty, while the ride is firm but not harsh.

It feels equally at home in town or on the open road.

Safety kit is comprehensive with driver and front passenger airbags, and side airbags also in the front with curtain airbag, plus electronic stability control (ESC) and electronic engine immobiliser.

Factile

SEAT Arona 1.0 TSI FR Sport 110PS manual 

Price: £25,225

Mechanical: 110ps, 999cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via six-speed manual gearbox

Max Speed: 121mph

0-62mph: 10.3 seconds

Combined MPG: 50

Insurance Group: 13

C02 emissions: 123g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000