Family SUV gets big value boost: Europe's answer to the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V gets extra equipment along with a small price rise

Skoda has continued to add value to its local range, announcing two rebadged trims for its medium-sized Karoq SUV, along with a stack of additional features made standard across the line-up.

For 2025, the Karoq Select is the new entry point to the range, replacing the simply named Karoq, while the Sportline 2WD will replace the Style 2WD. Skoda has added some additional features to its top-spec Sportline 4WD variant as well.

Kicking off the Karoq range, the Select will start at the same price of $40,990 (drive-away) as the Karoq, but it gains standard metallic paint – which previously cost $770 – and advanced driver fatigue detection.

This is in addition to a long list of exterior and interior standard features carried over from the previous Karoq trim, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights and tail lights with rear dynamic indicators, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, as well as front cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane assist and side assist with rear traffic alert.

Inside, the Karoq Select has a leather-trimmed steering wheel, keyless start, automatic headlights and wipers, an 8.0-inch multimedia touch screen with wireless Android Auto, Apple Carplay and voice control, as well as an 8.25-inch digital driver’s display.

The second addition, the Karoq Sportline 4x2, represents the best value for money. Skoda claims it adds $6500 worth of additional equipment as standard for only $1500, for a new price of $46,990 drive-away.

The new features on the Sportline 4x2 include anthracite 19-inch alloy wheels, a front spoiler and rear diffuser, black Sportline exterior trims, Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, LED interior lighting, ambient lighting, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, gear shift paddles, sports comfort front seats and aluminium finish pedals.

The Select and Sportline share the same 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, capable of producing 110kW/250Nm. In both grades, power is sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The top-spec Karoq Sportline 4x4 adds a further $7,200 in additional features for an extra $5,300 on its drive-away price, which is now $57,990.

Equipment that was previously optional is now standard, including Skoda’s dynamic chassis control, a 9.2-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, a 10-speaker Canton audio system, hill descent control, heated windshield washer nozzles, park assist and a 360-degree camera.

Additional new equipment for the Sportline 4x4 that is shared with the 4x2 includes heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, adaptive lane guidance and emergency Assist.

The Sportline model is carried by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, capable of producing 140kW/320Nm. It delivers power to all four wheels via a seven-speed direct shift gearbox.

The boosted value comes after comments from the Czech automaker’s global boss, Klaus Zellmer, at the Munich motor show last September, in which he stated the brand had some “homework to do” on its Australian pricing.

Earlier this year Skoda also added a new base-model variant to its Fabia range, slashing the entry cost by $7000, as well as a cheaper version of the Kamiq small SUV.

Skoda has only sold 540 Karoqs this year to date, which is a 41.2 per cent decline from this time last year. Skoda would be hoping the added value will give its sales a shot in the arm.