Few manufacturers have cars that are so perfectly suited to families than Skoda.
Whether it be the brand’s smallest Fabia supermini or largest seven-seat Kodiaq SUV, there’s a robust and durable feel to its range that makes them great if you’re in the market for a family car.
And if you don’t need three rows of seats, the best option is the classy, well-equipped and practical Karoq – Skoda’s mid-size crossover.
Featuring a host of ‘Simply Clever’ touches that aim to make your life a bit easier, here’s five key things about it that makes it a great family car…
It has one of the largest boots in its class
Practicality and spaciousness are crucial factors when it comes to a family car, and the Karoq most certainly doesn’t disappoint. It has a large cabin, while its boot is one of the biggest in this class – measuring 521 litres of boot space – increasing to 1,605 litres with the rear seats folded.
However, the Karoq is also available with a flexible seating and boot solution known as ‘VarioFlex’. With this, you can slide the rear seats backwards and forwards to either improve rear seat or boot space – increasing the boot to 588 litres with the bench slid forward. These seats come as standard on SE L trim models and upwards, and are a £210 option on SE and SE Drive versions.
A handy ‘virtual pedal’-controlled electric boot
While an electric boot is nothing new, the Karoq is available with a tailgate with something Skoda calls a ‘virtual pedal’. Designed for when you’re approaching the car with bags of shopping and aren’t able to unlock the car or press the boot button, all you have to do is wave your foot under or near the rear bumper and it will open.
It’s an easy and hassle-free solution that could make family life that bit simpler. It’s worth noting you need to have the key in your pocket or bag for it to open.
You can get a tow bar that can automatically fold out of the way
If you have a trailer or caravan, you’re more than likely not going to be using it all the time, and removing a tow bar can be a real faff, while you might not like it being on show when not in use.
However, with the Karoq you can get a tow bar that electrically retracts into the rear bumper when not in use, and it’s a feature you’d more typically find on more expensive cars. At a press of a button in the boot, it safely goes out of the way, and is another way the Karoq can make your life much easier.
As for towing, entry-level 1.0-litre Karoqs can tow a 1,500kg braked trailer, with the torquey 2.0-litre diesel versions able to haul up to 2,100kg when specified with all-wheel-drive.
Useful tray tables on the rear seats
It might seem like something rather simple, but the Karoq comes with rear tray tables, and a feature like this can be a big bonus – particularly if you have kids in the back. The solid plastic tray tables are placed on the back of the rear seats, and also feature a cup holder, which is something few others come with.
On longer journeys when your children might be wanting to eat and drink, these tables can save a lot of mess, and they easily fold away, too.
A ‘jumbo box’ to separate your items
While most cars come with generous-sized centre consoles, they can quickly end up in a right mess and it can be a pain to find what you’re looking for.
But with the Karoq, it comes with a ‘Jumbo Box’. Essentially this is a handy organiser that can store and separate your items, while it also includes a couple of reversible cup holders as well.
Enquire on a new Skoda Karoq
