Skoda has launched the Karoq SUV in the Indian market at the price of INR 24.99 lakh ex-showroom, Pan India. The Skoda Karaoq is positioned below the Skoda Kodiaq and is brought to the country via the CBU (Completely Built-Up Unit) route under the 2,500 vehicles without homologation import rule and is priced higher than the competition and rivals mid-size SUVs like the Jeep Compass and the Volkswagen T-Roc in the Indian market.
Skoda showcased the Karoq in India at the 15th edition of the Auto Expo 2020 and the brand had opened bookings for the Karoq SUV a couple of months ago at the refundable price of INR 50,000 across all Skoda dealerships.
The Skoda Karoq SUV is powered by 1.5-litre TSI turbocharged direct injection petrol motor that generates 150 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox with a WLTP rated fuel economy figure of 14.49 kmpl.
The Skoda Karoq is based on the MQB “Modularer Querbaukasten” (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform and appears to be a scaled-down version of the Kodiaq SUV in terms of its design. On the outside, the SUV features a chrome bezel on the vertically slated grille, full LED headlamps, integrated LED daytime running lights, fog lights set high on the bumper, a muscular bonnet with a raised ridge in the centre, a wide air dam with meshed grille design, LED taillights on the rear, panoramic sunroof, chrome window beltline, roof rails, squared-off wheel arches, 17-inch alloy wheels etc.
On the interiors, the Karoq comes with clean and tidy dashboard layout electrically adjustable seats, ‘Virtual Cockpit’ fully digital driver’s instrument console, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SmartLink, dual-zone climate control, a chunky gear selector on the central tunnel, control mounted steering wheel, rotary switches for the climate control and safety features such as 9-airbags, ABS+EBD, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), hill start assist, reverse parking assist, over-speed alert, seatbelt reminder for both driver and passenger.
The Skoda Karoq is available in India only in a single top-spec trim variant with a 5-seater seating capacity.