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Advice please

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:48 pm
by Neil M
I've been researching small/ medium SUVS to the point of exhaustion! I'm a great fan of Kia but not so keen on the Sportage. I live in Surrey, and would value advice on good dealer experiences

I'm attracted to the Edition 1.5 DSG or SEL with added Spec. I want the heated seats, all the safety equipment available but not sure about DSC.

I'd love to hear from Karoq owners and the research done before choosing a Skoda and how happy they are with their choice

Many thanks!

Re: Advice please

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 1:31 pm
by Jimmy of Whitby
Hello Neil from sunny Whitby. We've owned our Karoq for 10 weeks and it's a brilliant car. We owned a 4WD diesel Yeti beforehand but owing to our low annual mileage, we decided to change for a petrol engine. We have the 7-speed DSG, which is brilliant and we don't notice the lower torque on the steep roads around here, since the gearbox does all the changes seamlessly. It drives like a limo, the aircon, satnav, seating, boot size (we have a greyhound), varioflex seats etc are all excellent too. Fuel consumption is similar to our Yeti (which only averaged the low 40's on local runs). It's not been dark enough to test the headlights yet, but the LED lights are stated to be even better than the Bi-xenons fitted to our Yeti, which were like searchlights on full beam). If you buy new, delaers are very keen to sell at present. I obtained the lowest price on CarWow (about 3k below list) and then the trade-in value from We buy any car. The dealer matched this and as the car meeting our spec and colour was in the UK, we collected it a week later. Be prepared to push the dealer hard for a deal. Don't buy GAP insurance from the dealer. If you want it wait for 11 months and three weeks, then buy from one of many insurers. Most insurers replace written-off cars with new ones in the first year (our insurer SAGA gives two years). I think KESSY is brilliant - when the car is locked, the boot can be opened without fiddling for keys, ditto the passenger's and driver's doors. Locking again is easy - just a touch and all 4 doors plus boot lock. If you're concerned about security, keep the key well away from the area nearest to the car and you could always add a good steering lock. I don't recommend an electric boot if you have a dog and the touch switch on the boot is easy, as mentioned above, if you need to unload shopping. So in conclusion buy one and you won't regret it!

Re: Advice please

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 2:05 pm
by Neil M
Hi Jimmy, How kind of you to send me such a detailed reply. I found it very helpful. I'm driving my family mad with endless research and whilst still interested in the 3008 & Sportage my preference is for the Karoq. Thanks particularly for the fuel consumption figures which I found reassuring. Nice place Whitby!

Re: Advice please

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 5:00 pm
by kodiaq
Hello Neil, welcome.
I used to be just like you and reasrch every thing to death. SInce I always pay my hard earned pension for my cars. ;)
In 2010 I discovered Skoda. I did my usual research and ended up buying a new Fabia estate. 1.2 DSG. after which I had 3 Yetis, all 1.2 DSGs, then went to one of the first Kodiaqs to come off the production line in 2017 (ordered in 2016)
Had a few problems with the elctric boot lid and the silly door guards.

Then when 18 months old I bought a pre-reg Karoq SE L 1.5 Evo DSG, earlier this year, when the sun came out, I just had to have a pan roof so I bought a 19 reg (service manager's car with 1,300 miles on the clock) 1.5 Evo DSG Edition.

I felt at the time that the Kodiaq was the best car I had ever owned, but it turned out to be a bit too big and unneccesarily so. Also SWMBO, was not too kjeen on driving such a big car.

Now the Karoq fits our needs to a T. Big enough with the rear seats slid right forwards for our two 27Kg Lurchers.(our children have flow many years ago) and we rarely carry rear seat passengers.

The performance from the 1.5 TSI is more than sufficient for our needs with an almost diesel level of torque (for the same capacity) giving excellent 'overtakeability'.
Road holding is excellent and consumption acceptable though nowhere near what Skoda claim. about 33 round town and with 'pussyfoot' driving I have achieved 47 on a run.
All VAG engine seem to take around 4000 miles to fully loosen up, after which the consumption improves. My latest Karoq has just flipped over 3K.

The only problems I have had have been those mentioned above with the Kodiaq.
I have had 76 cars in my time, I have had more Skodas than any other make (though Hondas came close) so you may draw your own conclusions.
God luck I don't think you can go wrong.
p.s. I looked a a Sportage at one stage and didn't think it came close to anything from Skoda.
Also I read that their 7 year warranty is not all it's cracked up to be, often not covering things one would expect.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:23 pm
by Neil M
Hi Kodiaq, Thanks so much for such a comprehensive reply I'm so grateful to you and Jimmy from Whitby as you've both answered all my queries. I'm almost going to cut through all the indecision this week and drop the Kia and 3008 and plump for the Karoq Edition or SEL depending on the deals available and the costs of adding the spec I want to the latter.

We want a car for easy access, we are pensioners with annoying back issues, but also golfers and long distance drivers to Ireland & Spain so comfort, practicality and safe driving are the main criteria . The fun driving will be in my ageing Alfa 159

Thanks again, I look forward to more Forum involvement in the years to come.

Re: Advice please

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 8:41 pm
by sanqhar
Jimmy of Whitby wrote: Sat Sep 07, 2019 1:31 pm Hello Neil from sunny Whitby. .... I think KESSY is brilliant - when the car is locked, the boot can be opened without fiddling for keys, ditto the passenger's and driver's doors. Locking again is easy - just a touch and all 4 doors plus boot lock. If you're concerned about security, keep the key well away from the area nearest to the car and you could always add a good steering lock. I don't recommend an electric boot if you have a dog and the touch switch on the boot is easy, as mentioned above, if you need to unload shopping. So in conclusion buy one and you won't regret it!
Kessy can be disabled. Lock the car with the key and within 5 secs touch the door sensor. After 10 secs the car can then only be unlocked with the key.

Tom

Re: Advice please

Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 11:21 pm
by Mark-Guildford
If you're in Surrey, we got good service from Garland Motors in Aldershot. We got the initial quote through CarWow.
We have the 1.5 petrol automatic in SE-L trim, and like it a lot. Beware with the Edition version, I think it comes as standard with 19" wheels, which might give you a rather hard ride. SE-L comes with 18" wheels and SE comes with 17" wheels. The tyres for the 18" wheels on our SE-L seem to be very non-standard, so the tyre options for winter tyres or all-year tyres (eg. Michelin CrossClimate or Continental equivalents) don't exist for the 18" wheels, only for the 17" wheels.
The digital cockpit is a great extra option to go for!

Re: Advice please

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:36 am
by kodiaq
Sorry, have to disagree with you Mark. Before my Edition 1.5DSG 4WD I had an SE L & I can honestly say that in spite of the tyres being 45 aspect as opposed to 50, I (nor SWMBO) find there is no difference in ride comfort between the two.
I must admit I was a bit concerned as well before I test drove the Edition, but it proved absolutely fine. Perhaps they have altered the spring rates on the 19" wheel cars??

Re: Advice please

Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2019 3:33 pm
by Grillygraham
Hi,

I own 2018 Karoq dsg edition. Just returned from round trip to italy and can’t fault it, very comfortable on long journeys and no problems so far. Fuel consumption reading about 40 mpg but that is driving very frugally on mostly on motorways. Love the interior (beige leather) and sunroof in summer. Very easy and usable advanced driving systems, e.g. manual gear control on steering column, motorway assist etc., a lot easier and more advanced than my yeti. I think interior is better quality than the Kia. I am sure you will not be disappointed, go for the edition as it has everything on it and if you don’t will regret it. I love mine, maybe not as much as my yeti but I can’t deny the Karoq is a better car and step up in class. I got the pcp deal with big discount, then paid it all off immediately so did I not pay any interest, plus with a dealer discount got 17% of list price from lookers guild ford.