Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Ssangyong Tivoli XLV vs Skoda Karoq

What's the difference?

VS
Ssangyong Tivoli XLV
Ssangyong Tivoli XLV

2018 price

Skoda Karoq
Skoda Karoq

$34,888 - $64,460

2023 price

Summary

2018 Ssangyong Tivoli XLV
2023 Skoda Karoq
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 1.6L

Turbo 4, 1.4L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
6.3L/100km (combined)

6.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • No petrol will mean few buyers
  • Full specs to be confirmed
  • Four-star safety (Euro NCAP)

  • Interior starting to look dated, generic
  • Far too many safety features only options
  • 1.4L engine in Style can struggle up hills
2018 Ssangyong Tivoli XLV Summary

The SsangYong Tivoli XLV is about as unknown to Australian customers as cheeseburgers are to the tribespeople of the Amazon.

That is to say, if I asked your opinion of the SsangYong Tivoli XLV, you’d probably have no idea what I was on about. You may be unsure of its origins, unclear of its intentions, and generally baffled by the concept of it. The Amazonians may well feel the same way about burgers.

However, if Korean SUV specialist SsangYong has its way, the Tivoli XLV will become as hip and desirable, as Instagrammable and indulgent as the most clickable cheeseburgers out there. Geez, I’m hungry.

The Tivoli XLV is essentially a longer, taller version of the shorter, lower Tivoli, which is also coming to Australia. It keeps the Tivoli part of the name because it’s largely very similar, but the XLV has some points of difference: it’s all-wheel drive only, it’s diesel only, and it’s clearly one of the most practical small SUVs in the class. 

What does XLV stand for? According to SsangYong, the acronym represents “eXciting smart Lifestyle Vehicle”. 

Scratch that. Think of it as the 'eXtra Large Version' of the brand’s smallest vehicle, and you’ll be most of the way to understanding just what this big small SUV is all about.

View full pricing & specs
2023 Skoda Karoq Summary

It’s easy to forget about the Skoda Karoq. It’s not that it’s a particularly forgettable model - it’s really not - it’s more that people just don’t know it exists. 

That might be due to the fact that Skoda Australia did not do any promotional or marketing activities for the Karoq when it arrived back in 2018, because, at the time, it didn’t have adequate supply.

The company didn’t want to over-promise and under-deliver given the lack of available stock.

From 2020, the global pandemic has made the supply situation even worse so the Karoq has remained something of a hidden gem in the segment. 

This mid-life facelift and slowly improving supply could ensure the Karoq gets a little more attention, but fighting for the limelight against the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, new Nissan X-Trail, not to mention its Volkswagen Tiguan sibling, could prove challenging.

Does the Karoq deserve to be added to more shopping lists for buyers looking for a mid-size family SUV?

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2018 Ssangyong Tivoli XLV 2023 Skoda Karoq

Change vehicle