Skoda Karoq SUV to launch in India by mid-2020

Team OD Updated: June 20, 2019, 11:20 AM IST

The Skoda Karoq, Skoda's five-seater SUV which replaced the Yeti internationally sometime ago, is set to be launched in India by the middle of 2020. It sits below the larger, seven-seater Kodiaq in the brand's line-up. In India, it will be positioned above the smaller Skoda Kamiq. A localized version of the Kamiq will the Skoda India's first offering under its India 2.0 plan.

The Skoda Karoq takes its design inspiration from the company's flagship SUV that can be seen with the edgy design theme. There is a strong ridge like section that flows along the length of the bonnet. It gets the optional all-LED crystalline finished headlights with DRLs, a design trait that is expected to be seen on the brand's SUV range in the future as well. Giving the SUV an imposing front is the sleek radiator grille with brushed aluminium surround. The front bumper gets minimalistic design lines flowing along the width that give the SUV a wider front profile. The side too has been kept simple except for the flared wheel arches and large wheels. The rear profile of the Karoq resembles the larger Kodiaq with similarly styled taillights.

The side profile has been kept simple except for the flared wheel arches and large wheels.

In terms of dimensions, the Skoda Karoq measures 4,382mm in length, 1,841mm in width and 1,605mm in height. This makes it 104mm smaller, 258mm narrower and 52mm shorter than the upcoming Volkswagen Tiguan. The Karoq has a wheelbase of 2,638mm that is again 50mm lesser than of the Tiguan. The boot space of the Skoda Karoq is 521 litre with the rear seats in place. And with the rear seats folded, the luggage capacity goes up to a maximum of 1,630 litre.

From the images, it is evident that Skoda has tried to replicate the same design theme in the cabin as seen in the Kodiaq making the interior feel upmarket and premium.

The India-spec Karoq is expected to be offered with the same powertrain combination as the Kodiaq. This is the 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel motor which puts out 150PS (3,500-4,000rpm) and 340 Nm (1,750?3,000rpm). This will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a front-biased AWD system. Prices should start around the Rs 24 lakh mark ex-showroom.