Škoda has made over its Karoq family-friendly SUV with a fresh design, sustainable materials and more efficient engines.

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First launched four years ago, the Karoq was the second most delivered Škoda model worldwide in 2020 and H1 2021, beaten only by the Octavia.

To continue the success story, the refreshed model gets a new look, including the brand’s latest wider, hexagonal grille and body-coloured bumpers. slimmer headlights with full-LED Matrix technology for the first time, a longer rear spoiler on top-spec models and new alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches.

The design changes help to reduce the car’s drag by more than 9% to a coefficient (cd) of 0.30, according to the brand, making the Karoq one of the most aerodynamic cars in its segment, while lowering CO2 emissions.

The interior features new upholstery, including an optional eco sustainable materials pack, along with enhanced LED ambient lighting and an electrically adjustable front passenger seat as an option. Boot capacity remains the same as in the previous model: 521 litres with the seats in their default position and 1,630 litres when folded down. Fitted with VarioFlex seats – which can be divided 40:20:40 – this increases to 588 litres, to 1,605 litres with the rear seats folded down, and 1,810 litres with them removed altogether.

The update also brings a range of five engines from the Volkswagen Group’s latest EVO generation, comprising two diesels and three petrol engines and with reduced CO2 and NOx emissions due to the use of high injection pressures on the petrols and twin dosing exhaust gas treatment for the diesels.

Petrols start with a three-cylinder 100hp 1.0 TSI, followed by a four-cylinder 150hp 1.5-litre TSI and a top-rung 190hp 2.0 TSI that’s solely available with the Karoq SportLine with all‑wheel drive. The two diesels are both 2.0-litre and offer 116hp and 150hp, the latter also available with all-wheel drive.

A six-speed manual is standard on the lead-in petrol while a seven-speed DSG auto transmission is available as an option on the mid-range petrol and both diesels and standard on the petrol range-topper.

Three trims are offered: SE Drive, SE L and the top SportLine variant, which comes with a Black pack as standard, with gloss black roof rails and window frames.

All are equipped with a choice of two digital instrument clusters with an 8- or 10.25-inch display, replacing the previous analogue instruments, and feature systems from Volkswagen Group’s third-gen modular infotainment matrix. Four infotainment systems are available with touchscreens measuring up to 9.2 inches and over-the-air installs bring updates to maps and software.

A built-in eSIM provides a permanent internet connection, giving access to Škoda Connect online services and infotainment apps, and enabling remote access to the vehicle via the app.

Wireless SmartLink technology, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are available as standard and smartphones can also be inductively charged when placed in the optional phone box.

The updated Karoq also introduces improved assistance and safety systems, as well as up to nine airbags, including optional rear side airbags. Travel Assist incorporates five to eight assistance systems, including Predictive Cruise Control, Adaptive Lane Assist and an improved version of Traffic Sign Recognition. A Crew Protect Assist system is available as an option and reacts to impending collisions to prevent an accident or minimise the severity.

The updated Škoda Karoq is expected to go on sale early 2022. Prices are yet to be announced.