2022 Skoda Karoq detailed: Mid-life upgrade for Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 rival brings updated tech across medium SUV range

Skoda has uncovered a light facelift of its Karoq medium SUV, which ushers in safety and in-car tech upgrades and a very subtle visual makeover.

In Australia, Skoda currently offers two Karoq variants – the two-wheel drive Karoq Style from $34,590 before on-road costs and the spicier all-wheel drive Sportline from $41,290.

The updated model is expected to land in Australian showrooms in March next year. Skoda Australia says the updated Karoq will retain its two-grade line-up in 2022.

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It’s hard to pick the changes to the exterior design, but it includes a restyled front bumper with a wider lower air intake, new headlight design, split daytime running lights, and the option of full-LED Matrix headlights for high-end mode grades.

At the rear, there’s an extended tailgate spoiler, redesigned slimline tail-lights and a tweaked rear apron. The 2022 Karoq also gains new ‘aero’ wheel designs that reduce turbulence, according to Skoda, and new body colour choices.

Inside, Skoda now offers the option of a vegan ‘Eco’ interior pack made from sustainable materials including synthetic suede, for the European market.

It also gains an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster across the range, with the option of a 10.25-inch unit as an option. Multimedia gets an upgrade too with Volkswagen Group’s latest in-house system offered in 8.0- or 9.2-inch guise depending on the variant.

Safety wise the Karoq now features a Travel Assist system that allows the vehicle to stop and go in traffic and to remain in its lane. It also features a more accurate traffic sign recognition system and emergency assist.

The Style uses a 110kW/250Nm four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and the Sportline is powered by a 140kW/320Nm turbo four pot.

The Karoq is the third best-selling model in Skoda’s Australian line-up, behind the small Kamiq SUV and the Kodiaq large SUV.

It sits at the back of the pack in terms of medium SUV sales, with 1430 units shifted to the end of October this year. That puts it in competition with the likes of the Renault Koleos (1330) and supply affected Ford Escape (1244).

It’s well off the pace of the segment leaders like the Toyota RAV4 (30,933 sales) and the Mazda CX-5 (22,030).