2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline review (video)

Among one of the busiest car categories, it’s easy to overlook the praiseworthy underdogs. The 2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline is a medium-sized SUV that does not enjoy the attention it deserves.

Even though it has the strong underpinnings of a Volkswagen without the premium price tag, sales are consistently low for the Czech-built SUV. Only 540 units have found a home to the end of July 2024, according to VFACTS data. That is just 0.4 per cent of the medium SUV market under $60k.

So, what’s the issue? Is it a bad car? Bad marketing? Or the fact it competes with strongholds like the RAV4, Sportage and Outlander? We just spent a week with this 140TSI Sportline to investigate.

2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 140kW@6000rpm / 320Nm@1500-4100rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 18×7.5, 225/40
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1655kg
Power-to-weight: 11.82:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 6.8L/100km
Our consumption: 8.6L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 55L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 20.58kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.19 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.96 seconds*
60-110km/h: 5.05 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.20 seconds at 148.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.823g*
100-0km/h braking: 38.70m in 3.02 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.270g*
Decibel at idle: 39*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 80*
Starting price: $52,490

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: How much does it cost?

There is not a huge variety of variants to choose from compared with popular competitors. With just three; the 110TSI kicks off from $39,990, then the 110TSI Style retails from $45,490, and the flagship 140TSI Sportline that we’re reviewing here, from $52,490 (all excluding on-road costs).

Compared with other popular medium SUVs, the Karoq 140TSI Sportline’s price undercuts quite a few. Like the RAV4’s $58k top spec model, the top of the line Sportage and Mazda CX-5 at $55k, its own cousin Tiguan’s best model at $60k, the Nissan X-Trail’s $59k peak, and the Honda CR-V’s topmost at $60k. Though, some of those offer hybrid efficiency and are large enough to accommodate seven passengers.

There are also a few competitors that beat the Karoq’s best model. Like the GWM Haval H6’s $46k price tag, the MG HS’ $37k, and the top model Subaru Forester for $50k.

Skoda offers an above-industry standard seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and 12 months of complimentary road-side assistance. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, and is discounted if you pre-pay the first seven services for $2750.

2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: Interior & packaging

Hopping inside and a practical interior quickly becomes apparent. A height adjustable centre armrest, storage in the top of the dash, a removable bin in the driver door pocket, and adjustable hooks on a rail in the boot to hang bags are some thoughtful fitments not seen elsewhere. The layout used is also notably uncluttered, which, in turn, makes it a simple space to pilot. Especially since air-con controls get physical buttons.

Compared with some, the space is not as glitzy, but that is no complaint from us. Materials used feel sturdy and premium to the touch. There are soft touch surfaces, glossy black surrounds, carbon fibre style inserts, and Alcantara and leather seats with contrasting stitching.

The Karoq is a perfect middle size SUV; it’s not too big, and not too small. If space is key for you, there are much larger SUVs in this class. But we find all seat positions to provide adequate space for short and long journeys. Rear passengers get dedicated air vents, cup and bottle holders, and a comfy centre armrest.

Unfortunately, the Sportline loses the ‘VarioFlex’ completely removable rear seats that lower spec models receive. They also create a larger boot capacity. Instead, the Sportline goes with a 521-litre capacity, or 1630 litres when the rear seats are folded down. It still gets a handy boot shelf on the right-hand side, boot trough spaces, holding nets, and a double-sided cargo mat.

Turning to interior tech and the Karoq scores a rich 8.0-inch centre touch-screen, or a 9.2-inch one with gesture control and a finger proximity sensor if you upgrade to the ‘Premium Pack’. They sit flush in the dash and are close to reach from the driver’s seat. The screens command wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, and an eight-speaker sound system. The upgraded screen also inherits a Columbus 3D navigation system.

There is also a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that is particularly customisable, two USB-C ports, and a wireless phone charging pad.

Considering the price, the Sportline is a well-featured SUV. Key standouts are keyless entry and start, door welcome lights with the SKODA logo, adaptive cruise, front and rear parking sensors, manoeuvre braking assist, front assist with city emergency brake, multi-collision braking, rear cross-traffic alert and rear collision mitigation.

The Sportline upgrades with sports seats replacing the VarioFlex ones, 19-inch alloys, full matrix LED headlights with adaptive front lighting system and adaptive high beam, fog lights with cornering function, black shine design elements, piano black decorative dashboard trim and carbon door trim, stainless steel pedals, and a three-spoke multi-function leather sports steering wheel with paddle shifters.

It is only when you pay $5900 for the Premium Pack that you score that larger touch-screen, front and rear-outboard heated seats, a heat insulating windshield, headlight washers, heated steering wheel, adaptive chassis control, park assist, lane assist, surround-view cameras, traffic jam assist, and emergency assist.

Now into its seventh year of production, the Karoq’s external design is starting to get long in the tooth. We did receive a mid-life facelift in 2022, which added more acute rear LED lights and a redesigned front end, but a fresh look from the ground up is due. The Sportline adds a fitting amount of sporty flair, with those full Matrix LED headlights, dynamic rear indicators, extra lower skirting, gloss black elements replacing chrome, and a rear spoiler.

2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: Powertrain & handling

We always appreciate it when sport-oriented variants actually include powertrains upgraded from their standard models. The 140TSI borrowed from the Volkswagen empire is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that unleashes 140kW and 320Nm.

It is an especially punchy engine as it picks up speed without feeling like it’s under any strain. This is helped by a heap of torque in full bloom from a low 1500rpm – just above idle. Throughout the powerband, it feels free-revving and refined, with wonderfully low NVH levels, and consistently progressive acceleration through to redline.

That power is transferred to all four wheels with 4×4 on-demand and Volkswagen’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. No shrill CVTs here. It zips through the gears ultra-fast, and take off isn’t as clunky as earlier model dual-clutch gearboxes. The powertrain package results in an official 0-100km/h race in just 7.0 seconds. Our test unearthed the sprint in seconds 6.96 seconds.

However, there is a trade-off. Fuel consumption is above average when compared to trending industry averages. The official rating seems deceivingly decent at 6.8L/100km. But our real-world average over both highway and city environments was a meagre 8.6L/100km. It also drinks the more expensive 95 RON fuel. In its defence, 4×4 does use more fuel; an element some competitors do not have to deal with.

With that higher fuel consumption and a rather small 55-litre fuel tank, servo refuels are required frequently. We struggled to travel 550km on a tankful.

Rolling along in the Sportline, the suspension feels fittingly firm without causing cabin discomfort. Being a sporty model, you want to feel well supported during fast turns and sudden weight shifts. And it springs away any holes and bumps brilliantly without losing composure. It achieves this with MacPherson struts with lower triangular links and a stabiliser bar up front, and a multi-link axle with one longitudinal and three transverse links with a torsion stabiliser bar at the rear.

The Premium Pack in the Sportline also rewards you with dynamic chassis control, adapting the damping and steering characteristics on the go or via driver profile selection.

A sporty feel is also augmented by wonderfully weighty and tight steering. You don’t need to turn it much to get your direction altered. In addition, an excellent turning circle of 10.2 metres really helps to zip around tight spaces.

2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Skoda for practicality: The Czech brand is known for practical touches, and the Karoq Sportline demonstrates this with items like a height adjustable centre armrest, storage in the top of the dash, a removable bin in the driver door pocket, and adjustable hooks on a rail in the boot.
• Zippy powertrain: The 140TSI feels like it has more power than listed. It feels light and effortless to climb speed with full torque available not far above idle.
• Sporty suspension: With wonderful suspension, you can punch around bends with minimal lean and without resulting in too much bounce entering the cabin from bumps.
• Customisation abilities: We appreciate how much you can personalise the digital cluster and centre screen to suit your taste or mood.

2024 Skoda Karoq 140TSI Sportline: Key considerations before you buy

• Ageing model: First released in 2017 with a mid-life facelift in 2022.
• A smaller contender for the medium SUV class: If cargo space is highly importance to you, there are larger options in this category.
• Fuel consumption: The advertised average reads reasonably, but in the real world, we found it to be higher. And above average among the competition.