Skoda opens up bookings for the Karoq SUV!

The Kodiaq has been a very successful car for Skoda, it looks great, has features to rival cars from a segment above and the quality is top notch. So, it makes sense for them to use the same formula in a slightly smaller car. For a while now, the company has teased that they will bring the Karoq to India and now finally it has. Bookings for the Karoq are open now for a token amount of Rs 50,000, deliveries start in May.

If the Karoq reminds you of the Kodiaq, well that is sort of intentional. The Karoq is literally like a shrunken version of the Kodiaq. The all-LED headlamps have the same two chamber design, but it isn’t as aggressive or bold as the Kodiaq’s. The LED taillights are similar to the Kodiaq’s too, but again smaller and more docile. If you watch Pokemon, think of the Karoq as Charmander — small and cute, while the Kodiaq is the big bad Charizard. Cartoon references aside, in true Skoda fashion the Karoq looks just as clean and timeless as the Kodiaq. In terms of dimensions, the Karoq is 4382mm long, 1603mm tall and 1841mm wide, making it slightly smaller in length and shorter in height as compared to the Jeep Compass, however, the Karoq is wider.

On the inside the Karoq will get a two-tone interior with the top half covered in black and the lower half finished in beige, adding a more premium feel to the cabin. The driver’s seat is electronically adjustable and there is a touchscreen infotainment system in the centre as well as a fully digital instrument cluster, like what you get the Kodiaq L&K. There will also be a panoramic sunroof to add a sense of space and airiness. In terms of safety the Karoq will get nine airbags and it has a full five star Euro NCAP rating.

The Karoq will get a 1.5-litre TSI engine producing 147bhp and 250Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox. The powertrain combination should make the Karoq a sprightly SUV to drive. There is no news of all-wheel-drive and it is unlikely the Karoq will get it, in order to keep costs down. We have driven the Karoq in the past, you can read our review of it here.

Skoda has also opened up bookings for the Rapid 1-litre TSI. While the Vento has enjoyed the Polo GT TSI’s 1.2-litre TSI unit for a while now, this is the first time the Rapid will get a turbo-petrol. The 1-litre TSI engine will also be used in the new Polo GT TSI and the Vento TSI. The 1-litre TSI produces 108bhp and 175Nm of torque which is sure to make the Rapid, well, a little more rapid.

Bookings for the Karoq and Rapid TSI are open now at Skoda dealerships across the country, for an amount of Rs 50,000. Deliveries for the Rapid will start on April 14 while the Karoq will reach customers starting May 6. Prices are not out for the two yet but expect the Karoq to be in the Rs 20 lakh price range, going up against the likes of the Jeep Compass. The Rapid will see a small hike in prices owing to the switch to BS6, putting it in the range of Rs 8.5 lakh to Rs 13 lakh.