Hi everyone, first-time poster here on the Karoq forums!

I’m currently driving a 2017 (67 plate) 2.0 TDI DSG Superb L&K, which has been an excellent car over the years. It’s just about to hit 76,000 miles and has a few big services coming up (cambelt, water pump, and DSG). With it now approaching 8 years old, I’ve started thinking about moving on to something a bit newer.

The Superb is really well-specced and packed with tech, and I’ll admit I’m slightly concerned about missing some of those features, not to mention the torque from the 2.0 engine. That’s why I’m leaning towards the Sportline trim in the Karoq, hoping it helps bridge that gap a little.

I’ve got my eye on a 2022 (72 plate) 1.5 TSI DSG Karoq Sportline with the Travel Assist pack. It only has around 6,600 miles on the clock and looks like a solid option. I did also consider a 2023 SE-L in Petrol Blue that was impressively specced, but I just couldn’t get past the grey plastic trim around the arches and lower doors… personal taste, I know!

That said, I’m aware the colour of the Sportline I’m looking at might divide opinion — but after a run of black and grey cars, my wife and I are definitely up for something a bit bolder.

I've already noticed the unsightly plastic pieces on the alloys, but I’ve seen a few discussions where people have successfully removed them. I’d really appreciate any guidance on how to do this properly, and what parts are needed to achieve a clean, OEM look.

Has anyone here made the move from a Superb to a Karoq? I’d love to hear your experiences and if there’s anything I should look out for!

Edited 3 May, 20251 yr by Hdsn555

Didn't move from a Superb but from a 2012 Octavia vRS CR DSG to a 2.0 TSI Sportline a couple of months ago. My views may help you decide.

The Karoq is much more comfortable on a longer journey. Seats are very supportive. Tech in the Karoq is in a different league to the Octavia. The higher driving position gives a better view of the road ahead.

There's more body roll compared to the Octavia so have to be a little bit more careful if having fun. Obviously the MPG is quite a bit lower. Octavia would do mid 50s on a run, Karoq does mid 40s. However I only now do around 7000 miles per year compared to 15000 so it's something I can live with.

The really big plus is that I tow a caravan and the Karoq is so much better when towing. MPG when towing is about the same as the Octavia, somewhere between 30 & 32.

Overall, really impressed and no regrets about moving from the Octavia to the Karoq.

Edited 3 May, 20251 yr by Chester

In terms of the plastic wheel trims, you’re buying it from a dealer, I would get them to remove the plastic trims. If not there is info on YouTube as to how to do it. On my very new sportline edition, they were not fitted as I believe in recent times, they’re often removed/not fitted. I love my sportline edition with the extra kit, but I moved from an older Karoq SEL so can’t advise on that front

Edited 3 May, 20251 yr by mistac

1 hour ago, Chester said:

Didn't move from a Superb but from a 2012 Octavia vRS CR DSG to a 2.0 TSI Sportline a couple of months ago. My views may help you decide.

The Karoq is much more comfortable on a longer journey. Seats are very supportive. Tech in the Karoq is in a different league to the Octavia. The higher driving position gives a better view of the road ahead.

There's more body roll compared to the Octavia so have to be a little bit more careful if having fun. Obviously the MPG is quite a bit lower. Octavia would do mid 50s on a run, Karoq does mid 40s. However I only now do around 7000 miles per year compared to 15000 so it's something I can live with.

The really big plus is that I tow a caravan and the Karoq is so much better when towing. MPG when towing is about the same as the Octavia, somewhere between 30 & 32.

Overall, really impressed and no regrets about moving from the Octavia to the Karoq.

Thanks for your input, cerainly food for thought. I don't plan on towing anything, I do quite a few short trips but the odd long drive once a week.

In my superb, I've often worried about repeart short trips and the impact of the DPF, but thankfully never experienced any issues.

40 minutes ago, mistac said:

In terms of the plastic wheel trims, you’re buying it from a dealer, I would get them to remove the plastic trims. If not there is info on YouTube as to how to do it. On my very new sportline edition, they were not fitted as I believe in recent times, they’re often removed/not fitted. I love my sportline edition with the extra kit, but I moved from an older Karoq SEL so can’t advise on that front

Not a bad shout, I'm buying from the dealer so I'll certainly ask the question, I'm sure they'll have center caps and nut covers in the workshop.

I’ve asked and had a reply from the dealer saying they’re very much marmite, and I can have them removed and the centre caps and bolt covers put on for a “small” fee. I wonder if it’d be cheaper to do it myself, but let’s see what they say!

I've done the opposite and gone from 1.5TSi Karoq to 2024 2.0TSi Superb L&K.

The big difference you will notice in the 2WD Karoq is the cheaper torsion beam rear suspension which does thud a bit through the body and together with the 40 series tyres will offer nothing close to the ride you have in the DCC equipped Superb.

We have both, Superb Estate and 1.5 SEL Karoq - The ride in the Superb is much better and it has more toys, that said I'm happy to take either - the Karoq is jiggly and as 'logiclee' points out it does bang and crash a bit on the rear, also it can be difficult to drive smoothly in urban traffic, however, the fuel economy of the 1.5 is remarkable.

Whilst your 2.0 TDI Superb and the 1.5 TSI Karoq have DSG gearboxes, the Superb will probably have the wet clutch version and the Karoq the dry clutch version. We have a dry clutch DSG Fabia and a wet clutch DSG Karoq, having also owned a wet clutch DSG TDI VW for 108,000 miles. I much prefer the wet clutch DSG, it’s smoother when pulling away, creeps on tickover, and smoother to drive in traffic.

4 minutes ago, thamestrader said:

Whilst your 2.0 TDI Superb and the 1.5 TSI Karoq have DSG gearboxes, the Superb will probably have the wet clutch version and the Karoq the dry clutch version. We have a dry clutch DSG Fabia and a wet clutch DSG Karoq, having also owned a wet clutch DSG TDI VW for 108,000 miles. I much prefer the wet clutch DSG, it’s smoother when pulling away, creeps on tickover, and smoother to drive in traffic.

I wonder if the the fact I’m looking at a car with adaptive cruise and traffic assist will hopefully smooth it a bit. I’ve not considered this point, so thanks for raising it.

6 hours ago, Berisford said:

We have both, Superb Estate and 1.5 SEL Karoq - The ride in the Superb is much better and it has more toys, that said I'm happy to take either - the Karoq is jiggly and as 'logiclee' points out it does bang and crash a bit on the rear, also it can be difficult to drive smoothly in urban traffic, however, the fuel economy of the 1.5 is remarkable.

Sounds like pros and cons to both. Thanks!

If I had the choice again, I would have gone for the 2.0 4x4 Karoq. The 2.0 performance is, unsurprisingly, much more sporty. The 1.5 is average on 0-60

Traffic light Grand Prix, slightly slower than my 1.5 Octavia, and notably less than your Superb. Also, Sportline is only a trim level, not a sporty performance version of the 1.5.

5 hours ago, Choclab said:

If I had the choice again, I would have gone for the 2.0 4x4 Karoq. The 2.0 performance is, unsurprisingly, much more sporty. The 1.5 is average on 0-60

Traffic light Grand Prix, slightly slower than my 1.5 Octavia, and notably less than your Superb. Also, Sportline is only a trim level, not a sporty performance version of the 1.5.

I think the fact I’m moving from a 2 litre TDI to a 1.5 TSI is playing in the back of my mind. I appreciate it’s not a sporty car, but I don’t mind the odd spirited blast. I can’t help but feel the 1.5 might leave me feeling underwhelmed.

1 hour ago, Hdsn555 said:

I wonder if the the fact I’m looking at a car with adaptive cruise and traffic assist will hopefully smooth it a bit. I’ve not considered this point, so thanks for raising it.

4 hours ago, Hdsn555 said:

I think the fact I’m moving from a 2 litre TDI to a 1.5 TSI is playing in the back of my mind. I appreciate it’s not a sporty car, but I don’t mind the odd spirited blast. I can’t help but feel the 1.5 might leave me feeling underwhelmed.

Prior to buying my Karoq in Apr 24 I had a 2.0 140bhp TDI VW Touran DSG 6 Speed. Whilst spec and comfort wise different to your Superb, engine, gearbox and performance wise maybe similar unless you had a 190 bhp TDI. I went for the 2.0 TSI which was only available in DSG, 4x4 and Sportline form. I wanted the 2.0 TSI as it had a similar torque output as the Tourans 2.0 TDI which i towed.with. I’ve not been disappointed with my choice. It’s the first 4x4 I’ve ever had, I know it’s part time 4x4 but the road holding is excellent. People complain that the 1.5 TSI DSG spins its front wheels - I ve not had any wheel spin from mine - it just goes! If it had been possible ( and it wasn’t) I would not have had the Pan Roof and would have l had VarioFlex rear seats. It was 6 months old with 1080 recorded miles. MPG is not as good as the 1.5, on 200 mile cross country trips it’s approx 45 mpg, around town (3-6 miles) approx 25 mpg, overall it’s about 35mpg.

See if you can get a long test drive, where you can get an idea of what a 1.5 goes like. They can be quick off the line, up to 30mph, but about 10 seconds to 62 - not slow, but not quick either.

21 minutes ago, thamestrader said:

Prior to buying my Karoq in Apr 24 I had a 2.0 140bhp TDI VW Touran DSG 6 Speed. Whilst spec and comfort wise different to your Superb, engine, gearbox and performance wise maybe similar unless you had a 190 bhp TDI. I went for the 2.0 TSI which was only available in DSG, 4x4 and Sportline form. I wanted the 2.0 TSI as it had a similar torque output as the Tourans 2.0 TDI which i towed.with. I’ve not been disappointed with my choice. It’s the first 4x4 I’ve ever had, I know it’s part time 4x4 but the road holding is excellent. People complain that the 1.5 TSI DSG spins its front wheels - I ve not had any wheel spin from mine - it just goes! If it had been possible ( and it wasn’t) I would not have had the Pan Roof and would have l had VarioFlex rear seats. It was 6 months old with 1080 recorded miles. MPG is not as good as the 1.5, on 200 mile cross country trips it’s approx 45 mpg, around town (3-6 miles) approx 25 mpg, overall it’s about 35mpg.

Really interesting read, I am tempted by the the 2.0 TSI, but finding some seems a lot harder, particularly with one specced with drive assist. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

22 minutes ago, Choclab said:

See if you can get a long test drive, where you can get an idea of what a 1.5 goes like. They can be quick off the line, up to 30mph, but about 10 seconds to 62 - not slow, but not quick either.

Not a bad shout, the 1.5 TSI I'm lookin at is approx 1h 20 from me, so hoping to head over next weekend, but wondering if I can pop into a dealer local to me to 'test' the same model without doing the long round trip!