The Kodiaq comes with a 360º Area View Camera - would it be possible to fit this to the Karoq? It looks like another great safety aid.

 

They had to differentiate Kodiaq from Karoq somehow.

The side cameras I guess that are in the side mirrors, so you would have to replace them.

The software on the HU I think that it's the same as in Kodiaq and that the feature can be enabled in the coding.

Could the Kodiaq mirrors fit on Karoq?

It would be nice to have the 360° cameras also on our Karoqs. I would prefer this operation to be done at a Skoda service, to not loose the warranty. I don't know if it's even possible, but Kodiaq has such system, Karoq and Kodiaq are more than sisters, so maybe is no such big deal to make a retrofit with the elements from Kodiaq

It's even more annoying that the SEAT Ateca can have it while the Karoq still can't!!

Well what can I say?? 

 

Skoda have listened and are introducing Area View as an option for model year 21!! (See https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/press-releases/countless-new-features-introduced-to-skoda-portfolio-for-2021-model-year/ )

 

I just hope that Skoda UK don't block it, and that I can add it to the new Karoq I've ordered! I've not had confirmation yet that the factory have accepted my order or allocated a build date, so I'm expecting it to be a MY21 car, but still need my dealer to change my order and change the agreed price. 

 

Watch this space!!

Hi CJJE, I see you've now got your car.  Did it come with Area View?

 

I am considering placing an order for this car in Australia, and it'd be good if you could confirm one way or another. 

Yes, it was an option that I added to my order once the UK MY21 prices were released. 

 

It works well, and I'm also pleased to see that the rear-view camera that is enabled when you reverse is even better than the one on my Golf was. 

 

There is a button on front of the DSG selector that lets you operate it as well, and you can select individual views of the sides and front of the car. The downloadable owners manual for 2020/07 describes its use well.

 

Chris

Edited 28 November, 20205 yr by CJJE

Thanks.  Hopefully it is an option to be selected here in Australia.

 

How are you finding the car apart from that?  I’ve been looking for a while now and was quite impressed with the Karoq.  Coming from a Golf R so everything is laid out very well.  I’m tossing up between this and a XC60 which is a much nicer place to be (and in my opinion, rides is more comfortable) but it significantly more expensive.  

I was looking at Tiguans, Volvo XC40s and Toyota RAV4s before settling on the Karoq. And one of the important things for me was an ergonomically designed interior. 

 

The Tiguan has now gone all  touchscreen control, which in my opinion is dangerous and forces you to take your eyes off the road for too long while looking at the touchscreen. 

 

I also wasn't happy with the infotainment systems on the XC40 or RAV4, and the XC40 also had a hard bar under the rear of the driver's seat which seemed badly placed for a rear passenger's feet. 

 

They were all significantly more expensive over here, once you add the extras I wanted, and in the UK you have to pay a punitive rate of 'Vehicle Excise Duty' for the next 6 years if the car's list price with extras exceeds £40,000. So the Karoq was by far the most economical buy.

 

Due to the covid pandemic and our lockdowns I haven't been able to drive it much yet, but it is certainly comfortable (I chose the Dynamic Chassis Control / Progressive Steering option) and quiet once I'd disabled the Soundaktor gimmick.

 

Chris

 

That's really interesting that you should say that.

 

I was really impressed with the Volvo apart from the infotainment and the general ergonomics of everything you interacted with.  However, the Skoda just worked.   The big downside that I didn't like is that the Skoda was a bit more busy over our crappy Australian roads than the XC60.  Is it worth 15k AUD more though?

 

I think I'm leaning in a particular direction if you couldnt tell ;)

As the Karoq is so much cheaper, you could maybe go someway to make up the difference,by replacing the wheels with smaller ones, preferably 16" + carefully selecting tyres that are reviewed well for ride & road noise.  In the UK, All Weather tyres are generally better than summer ones in this regard and Goodyear & Bridgestone are good examples, but don't know if AW tyres, designed to perform better in snow, are sold where you are.  I'd also now try to get the car with adjustable dampers - the Kodiaq with this feature was given top marks for its ride in the UK 'Which' consumer magazine.

Isn't 'All Weather' in Australia, hot, wet and hotter??  

In Victoria/Melbourne it does actually get cold in the summer :p

 

Honestly, it's not going to bother me enough to change it.  I'm on 19's at the moment with my Golf R, and I wanted something that would improve that - this does, I'm just comparing it to a XC60 which is a lounge chair feeling in comparison.

 

Confirmed with the dealer today I can get the 360 camera, but it has to come with the towbar and it'll be factory order, which means 6-7 month wait.  Not sure if that's worth it tbqh.

 

The decisions I have now are around which packs to get - is DCC worth it do you think?   What about the 9.2" media center over the 8?  I notice the 8 has physical dials, which would be my preference.

 

Lastly, did you get leather with yours?  I've had VW 'leather' before and it is decent enough (and easy to clean) but in scorching Melbourne summers I actually prefer the cloth.  The only reason I'm really considering it is because it is easier to clean and with baby on the way I figure anything to help there is probably a good idea.  

21 hours ago, WallySimmonds said:

 our crappy Australian roads

I didn’t think your roads were crappy at all, well the tarmac ones anyway.  3 months & prob over 20,000 over WA, NSW, Queensland and Tassie before we had to bail out coz of Da Bug, really enjoyed Aus and look forward to getting back when allowed.  
 

We did have a few days in Melbourne, and it rained and rained, plus snow in Tassie in Feb, really missed the WA sunshine in your corner!  

2 hours ago, WallySimmonds said:

In Victoria/Melbourne it does actually get cold in the summer :p

 

Honestly, it's not going to bother me enough to change it.  I'm on 19's at the moment with my Golf R, and I wanted something that would improve that - this does, I'm just comparing it to a XC60 which is a lounge chair feeling in comparison.

 

Confirmed with the dealer today I can get the 360 camera, but it has to come with the towbar and it'll be factory order, which means 6-7 month wait.  Not sure if that's worth it tbqh.

 

The decisions I have now are around which packs to get - is DCC worth it do you think?   What about the 9.2" media center over the 8?  I notice the 8 has physical dials, which would be my preference.

 

Lastly, did you get leather with yours?  I've had VW 'leather' before and it is decent enough (and easy to clean) but in scorching Melbourne summers I actually prefer the cloth.  The only reason I'm really considering it is because it is easier to clean and with baby on the way I figure anything to help there is probably a good idea.  

 

Urgh... isn't it annoying they way they bundle options! In the UK you have to take adaptive lane assist with Area View, but I wanted that anyway. 

 

I haven't tried a Karoq without DCC, so can't say how it would compare with mine - which is certainly comfortable. What people tend to forget is that DCC doesn't just give you a choice of Comfort, Normal or Sport suspension settings, it is actually active all the time, and works to improve the cornering characteristics. And as you were saying earlier about Aussie roads, I'd say it was worth trying a test ride in a car with it if you can. (Or find an Aussie Karoq owner whose got it fitted.) 

 

I went with the Amundsen 8" system as it was still an improvement over the 6" system in my previous Golf, and I felt the Columbus was overkill for my needs. 

 

No I've got the cloth "Thermoflex" sports seats in my Sportline. I've had leather before in a Golf Mk4, and then Skoda Octavia, but as you say they get very hot in the sun. To cope with a baby, you can get seat covers to put under a baby seat to keep the car's seats clean I think - though it's many years since I've needed to worry about that  

 

Best Wishes, 

 

Chris