Thursday December 19, 2019 – The long-awaited full range of ŠKODA's Karoq SUV reaches showrooms in early quarter two led by the new 140TSI Sportline 4x4.

The Karoq has been available as a front-wheel-drive variant only since 2018 and a production backlog has limited supply.

This week, however, saw production commence of Australia-bound Karoq Sportlines.

"Our experience has been that Australian customers opt for higher-specification and Sportline variants," ŠKODA Australia Director Michael Irmer said.

"By mid-year ŠKODA will have in place its full range of SUVs starting with the Kamiq, through Karoq and Kodiaq. The range will be 'haloed' by the Kodiaq RS that's with us in March."

The Karoq Sportline is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine (complete with sound generator) that puts 140kW and 320m to the road via a 7-speed DSG transmission and all-wheel-drive. Riding on 19-inch Vega alloys, the Sportline features a black accented body kit.

The look is carried over within with features including a multifunction sports steering wheel, perforated leather upholstery, LED lighting and stainless steel pedals. Driving mode select is standard. Virtual Cockpit is now available in all ŠKODAs save the Fabia range.

While the Sportline is intended for the use its name suggests, the focus of MY20 Karoq 110TSI is family deployment and utility. This variant retains Varioflex, the fixture that enables the complete removal of the back seats.

With rear seats fitted and fully pushed back, the KAROQ's luggage compartment affords 479 litres. Push these seats forward and the space increases to 588 litres. Fold them flat and you have 1605 litres. Take them out - a task easily accomplished – and there's a massive 1810 litres to fill.

The 2020 entry Karoq is powered by a familiar 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine that puts out 110kW/250Nm via an 8-speed Aisin transmission and the front wheels. The previous 1.5 engine with the same output and its attendant 7-speed DSG are prioritised for WLTP and Euro 6 markets. This sees the 110TSI's fuel consumption in combined driving rise from 5.8L/100km to 6.6L. DSG continues with all other ŠKODA engines.

Full specification and pricing for the MY20 Karoq range will be announced early in the New Year.