I have driven large Sprinter and Transits regularly over the last 10 years so I have some experience with larger vehicles. I came to the Karoq from a VW Touran, which is practically the same length and width. The bonnet on the Touran dipped down more, and it was a more boxy shape, vertical sides and rear compared to the Karoq where the rear and sides slope in. As others have said make use of the Karoq's highing seating position and have the seats as high as is practical to get you eyeline as high as possible. I'm 6' 4" and have the seat right down but my eyeline is through the ttop 6 inches of the screen - I never need to use the sun visors.

 

The Karoq's door mirrors are superior to the Touran (and the Fabia) because they are deeper (top to bottom)  and mounted above the waistline so they don't stick out as far  from the body because above the waistline the Karoq comes in by an inch or so. 

 

The front and rear parking sensors are good, the display shows the path the car will travel through and which sensor is sounding which is very useful.  The rear camera comes in two versions, as standard its the single view (narrow angle) with a fixed guidelines display., there is a twin view Narrow and wide angle) views which has dynamic guidelines which show the path the car will take so you can see immediately whether you will miss an obstacle, compared to the fixed guidelines which you can only tell if the car will hit or miss as you reverse. This is a retro fit option  but worth looking out for on a used car.

 

There is also a parking sensor upgrade, again a retro fit option, but was also an option at build time and again worth looking for. This adds 4 more sensors on the side of each bumper looking sideways. Karoqs with the self or auto park option will have these.  Area view was another build option which uses cameras to see all around the car. If you regularly have to park close alongside something, this may be worth having. I reverse my Karoq down beside my 2 axle car trailer, you cannot see the trailer at all out of the side windows - i rely on the door mirrors and the camera to line things up, I have to be no more than 3 inches from the side of the trailer and parallel to it.

 

At night the rear camera image is very good, well lit up be the reversing lights. However when the brake lights are on the camera image has a red glow, which blurs or obscures the guidelines and the image. This is a DSG related issue, because to reverse slow enough in tight conditions you need to use the footbrake, whereas in a manual car you'd regulate speed by using the clutch.

 

Finally a word on Auto Park. I don't have this on my Karoq, I had it on my Touran and used it about 6 times in 11 years. Its very clever, and even though you control the speed and it always got the car into the space, it never looked like it would, so I was too nervous to trust it. Having said that what I learnt from watching how it worked with parallel parking was that exceedingly rapid sheering wheel rotation was the key to a successful parallel park.

Just one thing to note on the seats.

 

We have a Fabia, Octavia and Karoq.  We've had a lot of Skoda's and VW's. 

 

The Karoq seat angle is very sloping in all models. For me it's a little too aggressively sporty for an SUV. The Yeti seat angle was much better for SUV usage.

 

It's taken me a while to get used to it.  If you have back problems like you suggest take an extended test drive first.

Thanks all for further replies. Seems to be that even though Karoq is obviously larger than Fabia, its overall shape and parking assist (including revers camera on SEL models) mean it isn't too hard to park. Good to know.

 

Thanks for heads-up logiclee - I will do another test drive of Karoq to test out seats. Do others (with back problems) find driver seat to be an issue (i.e. slope) or do most find them OK? My Fabia seat is quite low and I'm pretty sure higher Karoq seat will help me there?

57 minutes ago, NickGreen said:

 

Thanks for heads-up logiclee - I will do another test drive of Karoq to test out seats. Do others (with back problems) find driver seat to be an issue (i.e. slope) or do most find them OK? My Fabia seat is quite low and I'm pretty sure higher Karoq seat will help me there?

 

I have a seriously bad back and legs and I find the Karoqs seat to be near enough perfect for me, along with the higher driving position. The previous Yeti, although it was comfy enough if a bit hard, was not as good fr me as the Karoq. However comfort and riving position is unique to each person, what suits me may not suit anyone else. I would be tempted to tell the dealership  how things are for you and ask for an extended test drive long enough to find out if it suits you.

The back rest is obviously adjustable gif rake/recline, the seat squab or base its angle varies according to height, due to the way it pivots. At lowest setting it slopes more, as you raise the seat the back comes up more than the front does so the floor is reduced.

I do find (don’t laugh) that I have to remove my wallet from the back pocket of trousers in any Skoda that I drive, otherwise it causes a numb buttock!🫢. Fabia, Octavia and Karoq, never had the problem in 11 years with my VW Touran - I think it’s the side bolster width at back of the squab.

Thanks again for replies. I intend to visit Skoda showroom next week and test drive Karoq SEL. Another question (if OK) - I've had a good look online but not sure of answer. Do you need Multifunction Steering Wheel to control media player (and phone calls, sat-nav) without touching screen (i.e. from buttons on steering wheel) or can this by achieved with normal/standard steering wheel? Rather than touch screen, I'd like to change volume, skip/reverse tracks, go back to Spotify menu (or up a folder level on USB stick) as well as answer calls etc from the steering wheel. I've tried looking at online Karoq manual but can't seem to find answer. Thanks again 🙂

I can't fully answer your question. maybe others can,  but can provide my experience to date, based on my Sept 23 Sportline. The multi-function steering wheel l (MFSW) does not have a button for answering calls or directly initiating the phone feature., neither does it have buttons to manage the built in sat nav. However it does have the ability to skip tracks back and forth but not as far as I can see navigate a folder structure.

 

On the right hand spoke of the MFSW are buttons to manage the virtual cockpit display. My preferred setting is to have Tacho dial on the left and speedo dial on the right, for this discussion what is displayed in the middle of these two dials is not applicable, but what is displayed in between is. This centre section can display any of the following ; Navigation, Audio, Assist Systems, Statistics, and using the scroll roller select or alter the various features of each one. My default is Navigation and I have the map permanently displayed. 

 

At this point what you see and can control will depend on how you choose to set things up. you can choose between supplied functionality for Navigation and Phone, Apple Carplay for Navigation and/or Phone and Android - I don't have Android so can't say how that operates. I use Skoda Navigation and Apple Car play for phone.

 

Why the mix. Skoda Navigation because when following a route it gives the next junction info, road name, distance time etc between the two dials and the full route is displayed on the touch screen, when not following a route the map is displayed between the two dials. When behind the wheel I find this the best option, if I want to mute or  unmute spoken directions I have to do it through the touch screen or ask my passenger.  Voice commands I find to be pointless, it doesn't work off preset phrases but requires you to 'say something'. When driving you simply don't have the time to say something and then check the effect. I use the Skoda App to input destinations into the Sat Nav. The App uses Google Maps which is easy. and then you transmit the destination to the car. Far simpler than trying to use the GUI on the Touch Screen.  

 

So why Carplay for phone, I setup Carplay for Itunes that works fine for me, and initially I was using the Skoda Phone functionality which jas the (dubious) benefit of having the Voice control. and it interfaces to the display between the dials and is controlled by the MFSW buttons. But it only worked when Bluetoothed to my phone using MY9345 connection which created meant that my 5g Iphone  used the internal Skoda WIFIi for internet access and it was useless. So I switched to using the Phone app through Carplay which means to answer a call I have to tap the icon on the Touch Screen, A big plus is that it will 'speak' any Whatsapp or SMS messages I receive. Even in the car I use the Skoda Connect App to input directions into the Sat nav and it works much better using the Iphone's 5g SIM.

 

Hope this is of some help.

@NickGreen

My 23 Sportline can answer calls using the right silver scroll wheel, just push it down and it will answer, also if you push the voice button on the left side you can use voice control to call or change radio etc

 Hope this helps

 

@don_kiddik that could be what I’ve  been looking for.

@don_kiddik

Thanks for heads-up Don 🙂 Just to check, does your Sportline have the standard steering wheel (same as in SE/SEL versions) or is it a multi-function steering wheel (MFSW)? 

8 minutes ago, NickGreen said:

@don_kiddik

Thanks for heads-up Don 🙂 Just to check, does your Sportline have the standard steering wheel (same as in SE/SEL versions) or is it a multi-function steering wheel (MFSW)? 

 

I think mine is the MFSW as all buttons have logo's on them, flat bottom and heated.

 

21 hours ago, NickGreen said:

@don_kiddik

Thanks for heads-up Don 🙂 Just to check, does your Sportline have the standard steering wheel (same as in SE/SEL versions) or is it a multi-function steering wheel (MFSW)? 

 

Both SE and SEL now have MFSW, the SEL's is heated.  DSG models have shift paddles on the steering wheel

 

SEL

Edited 15 October, 20241 yr by logiclee

@logiclee

Thanks for heads-up Logiclee. I'm looking to buy a second hand Karoq (anything 1-3 years old depending on deal). Do you know what year the MFSW went standard on SE and SEL? Obs I can check at dealers but would be good to know in advance 🙂

I popped into my local garage today (that I use to service my Fabia) and they told me that whilst they can complete general service of Karoqs they don't service automatic/DSG gearboxes, so I'd need to go elsewhere for that. That got me thinking, how often does the Karoq 1.5ltr petrol DSG need servicing/oil change? Is it every 40,000 miles or every 80,000? Also, do most folk use main dealer for service when car is covered by warranty and then go local (cheaper) after warranty has run out? Thanks for all help.

3 minutes ago, NickGreen said:

I popped into my local garage today (that I use to service my Fabia) and they told me that whilst they can complete general service of Karoqs they don't service automatic/DSG gearboxes, so I'd need to go elsewhere for that. That got me thinking, how often does the Karoq 1.5ltr petrol DSG need servicing/oil change? Is it every 40,000 miles or every 80,000? Also, do most folk use main dealer for service when car is covered by warranty and then go local (cheaper) after warranty has run out? Thanks for all help.

 

There is no service requirement for the DQ200 DSG on the 1.5TSi DSG Karoq.

Thanks logiclee, I didn't realise that. Million dollar question (after quick internet search) is the DQ200 DSG considered a reliable gearbox? There seems to be issues with earlier ones (pre-2012)? Are you happy with yours?

Actually pre 2012 were part of a Global recall, excluding Europe. They had oil changed from synthetic to mineral and a software update. The Service campaign was introduced in 2014 in Europe.

The poor people landed with late 2012 - 2013 never got anything done, many of those failed.

2013-2015 were part of a Service Campaign started in 2017. software update.

2015-2018 some got Clutch Pack Updates & software Updates.

2018 there were issues for some WLTP time, not just the 1.5 TSI ACT Kangerooing and manuals, some duff DQ200,s.

So now, 

Fingers crossed, Pretty much OK, 2020-2024 and on, but then we can only know how they are when 5 years old once 5 years old.

 

Basically if only 2% of the 2,500 DQ200 DSG Skoda produce every day are duff as long as you do not get one.

Just a pity Skoda / VW can not see fit to put an 8 year warranty on them, or admit failures are their fault and nit the drivers. 

1 hour ago, NickGreen said:

Thanks logiclee, I didn't realise that. Million dollar question (after quick internet search) is the DQ200 DSG considered a reliable gearbox? There seems to be issues with earlier ones (pre-2012)? Are you happy with yours?

 

I think I'm on my 7th or 8th DQ200 now, still have two. Plus a few DQ250's and DL501.

 

I've had my fair share of issues on pre-2017 boxes with clutch pack  and one mechatronic failure. Five warranty claims in total.

 

Later DQ200's are noticeably smoother and more refined than the early models. I've had DQ200's on 1.0TSi, 1.2TSi, 1.6TDi and 1.5TSi.

 

By far the best match is the 1.5TSi EVO2 and DQ200.

 

But there's no doubt the DQ250 was more reliable if serviced and it was butter smooth with my 2.0TDi's and 2.0TSi. A shame it's no longer avialable and the replacement the DQ381 is now showing a few issues.

 

The DL501 I had was in an Audi as that's a longitudinal layout coupled to a 3.0V6 TFSi. By far the best Dual Clutch transmission I've used but I've also had three cars with the ZH8HP conventional Auto (BMW and JLR). I'd have one of those over dual clutch any day of the week.

 

 

2 hours ago, logiclee said:

Five warranty claims 

Blimey - not a box to own out of warranty!

 

Certainly agree regarding ZF torque converter boxes, based on my experience of 6, 7 & 8 speed iterations. 

On 28/10/2024 at 21:20, pinkpanther said:

Blimey - not a box to own out of warranty!

 

 

 

 

These were all pre-2014 though.

 

Not had any issues with DQ200 models manufactured post 2017. 

16 hours ago, logiclee said:

 

 

These were all pre-2014 though.

 

Not had any issues with DQ200 models manufactured post 2017. 

Good to hear 👍 

On 29/09/2024 at 13:41, NickGreen said:

Sorry, forgot to add:

 

7. Many folk seen to recommend changing Bridgestone tires. So, 18" are OK but Kormoran or Vredestien tires instead. When I buy my car, can I ask Skoda dealership to change or is it best to do independently? Roughly how much will that cost?

8. My Fabia is manual but my friends Mercedes is automatic that I like to drive. I know this is subjective but any views either way? DSG vs manual? (I'm leaning towards DSG).

 

Thanks again👍

I fitted bridgestone  all seasons to replace the 001 that were on the car .100% improvement in noise and handling

 

More great feedback. Thanks all, much appreciated 🙂