The tiny-tot 2018 Skoda Karoq has been revealed overnight in Sweden with the compact SUV replacing the Yeti and looking great into the bargain.

THE NEW 2018 SKODA KAROQ has been revealed overnight in Sweden. It replaces the Yeti but retains one of that vehicle’s most-loved features, the VarioFlex seating which allows for the rear seats to be adjusted and removed entirely for a practical interior layout.

In a nutshell, the Karoq is essentially a smaller version of the Kodiaq but with some clever, additional features debuting, which arrives in Australia later this month.

In a statement, Skoda said: “[the Karoq] offers exceptional space, new driver-assistance systems, full‑LED headlights and – for the first time in a Skoda – a digital instrument panel. Five engine variants are available from 85kW to 140kW of which four are new. “Typical of Skoda are smart ideas for the brand’s new compact SUV which include features such as the rear-seat VarioFlex system and the virtual pedal for the hands-free opening of the boot. Longer items can be comfortably transported in the interior of the compact SUV – thanks to the folding front passenger seat”.

The Karoq measures 4382mm in length, is 1841mm wide, and 1605mm high. The increase in size (compared with the Yeti – 4223mm long and 1793mm wide). The wheelbase measures 2638 mm (all-wheel drive version: 2630 mm) this is up from the Yeti’s 2578mm.

There’s 521L of bootspace with the rear seats up, fold them down and this expands to an impressive 1630L. As mentioned, the Karoq offers Skoda’s clever VarioFlex seating system which offers three individual rear seats which can be individually adjusted and removed individually or altogether. Remove them and the boot grows to 1810L.

The Karoq gets Skoda’s latest suite of infotainment and connectivity options, but in a first for the brand, the Karoq features a programmable digital instrument display like other members of the VW Group family, including the latest crop of Audi models and VW’s Tiguan. Full-LED headlights with clear-lens optics are available as an option for the Karoq from the Ambition trim level upwards. Inside, there’s new LED ambient lighting in the door trims and the dashboard, which can be set to one of 10 colours.

While the final Australia specification hasn’t been announced, the new Karoq offers an impressive range of active safety systems, including Park Assist, Lane Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. There’s also Blind Spot Detect, Front Assist with predictive pedestrian protection and Emergency Assist.

There are five engine variants to choose from – two petrol and three diesel engines. The two petrol engines and two diesels are new in the line-up. The displacement ranges are 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0L; the power range is from 85kW to 140kW. With the exception of the most powerful diesel, all drivetrains can be ordered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed DSG. The 2.0 TDI with 140kW comes as standard with 4×4 drive and 7-speed DSG. The new 1.5 TSI has the special feature of cylinder deactivation.

The Karoq, from the Ambition trim level upwards, offers Driving Mode Select with the Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow (4×4) modes. The Off-Road mode, says Skoda: “[adjusts] the Traction Control System (TCS) permits a greater slip and the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) reacts more sharply and quickly. Where necessary, Hill-Hold Control and Hill-Descent Control are also activated – the latter keeps the speed constant at the current level. The optional DCC shock absorbers change their characteristics, and the accelerator responds more gradually. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) varies its intensity, so that a wedge of earth can be formed in front of the wheels, thereby producing a braking effect”. 

The Karoq will be launched in Europe before the end of this year and isn’t expected in Australia until early next year.