Skoda Australia is actively pushing for another generation of the Karoq SUV, the brand’s closest competitor to the best-selling Toyota RAV4.
Many assumed the Karoq name would disappear with the introduction of the similarly sized, electric Elroq, but uncertainty over emissions legislation could instead see the combustion-powered Karoq move into a second generation.
The prospect of a new Karoq has found strong support from Skoda Australia, among others, with the aging model still generating more than 100,000 annual sales around the world.
“We are very interested,” said Lucie Kuhn, director of Skoda Australia Daily Sparkz.
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“Not just Australia, but many markets around the world are interested in another generation of Karoq.
“Headquarters has carefully listened to and analyzed this feedback and is currently working on this capability to see if it would work globally.
“We expressed interest and joined another group of markets because the segment is quite relevant and extensive here in Australia.”
While plans for a second-generation Karoq gain momentum, they continue to depend on whether Europe implements its plans to ease the ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035, according to Martin Jahn, head of sales and marketing at Skoda.
The legislation in question is currently awaiting ratification or amendment by the European Parliament.
Mr Jahn also said Skoda would wait “as long as possible” to make a decision on a new Karoq, leaving the door open for another facelift of the current model.
It wouldn’t be the Volkswagen Group’s first vehicle with a combustion engine to receive a reprieve and a facelift. Seat, a fellow Volkswagen Group brand, has given a facelift to its aging Arona and Ibiza, which are not sold here and were previously rumored to be on the chopping block, while Volkswagen will do the same to its existing Polo.
The Karoq was first launched in 2017 and was last updated in 2021 with a streamlined exterior design and a modern digital instrument display inside.
Any new Karoq will likely remain connected to Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, albeit in the latest version. As such, Australian buyers can expect a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains, the latter coming from the upcoming Volkswagen T-Roc.
MORE: Discover the Skoda Karoq showroom
