2018 Skoda Karoq arrival advances to June

Anticipated delays prove a non-issue, as mid-size SUV arrival pulled forward

Scott Collie

17:1030 April 2018

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Skoda Australia has updated timing for the arrival of its hotly-anticipated Karoq, which is now set to touch down in June.

Earlier this month, Skoda's local communications boss, Paul Pottinger, said the mid-sized crossover would be here in September.

As it turns out, Skoda was anticipating a delay in supply, but the company has since managed to push the Karoq's arrival forward to June.

The range will start with the Karoq 110TSI front-wheel drive petrol, with diesel and all-wheel drive variants to follow in the first half of 2019. As we've previously reported, the car will kick off from around $30,000.

In 110TSI trim, the Karoq makes 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque from its new 1.5-litre turbocharged four pot, good for an 8.4-second sprint to 100km/h and 204km/h top speed. It's worth mentioning, the 1.5-litre engine we're getting isn't the uber-clean Evo unit offered in Europe.

Michael Irmer, Skoda Australia's managing director, has previously told us the Karoq will offer a high level of specification, just like the brand's wider range.

"Australia Skoda owners expect high levels of equipment and we will not disappoint them," he said.

Autonomous-emergency braking will be standard across the range, while smartphone mirroring – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – will also be included range-wide. This will also be the first Skoda offered with a 12.3-inch digital driver display, although it'll eventually roll out across the range following the Karoq's initial launch.

Full-LED headlights will be offered, along with 19-inch wheels, VarioFlex rear seats and an adaptive chassis.

Overseas, the Karoq is offered in 110TDI and 140TDI guises, making 110kW/340Nm and 140kW/400Nm respectively from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.