Skoda Australia is actively pushing for another generation of the Karoq SUV, the brand’s closest rival to the best-selling Toyota RAV4.
Many tipped the Karoq nameplate to die with the launch of the similarly sized, electric Elroq, but uncertainty surrounding emissions legislation could instead see the combustion-powered Karoq head into a second generation.
The prospect of a new Karoq has drawn strong support from Skoda Australia, among other markets, with the ageing model still generating upwards of 100,000 annual sales across the globe.
“We are very interested,” Skoda Australia director Lucie Kuhn told CarExpert.
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“Not only Australia, many markets globally are interested in having another generation of Karoq.
“Head office picked up this feedback thoughtfully and are currently analysing and working on that opportunity, to see if it would work globally.
“We expressed interest, we joined another group of markets, because the segment is pretty relevant and massive here in Australia.”
While plans for a second-generation Karoq are gaining momentum, they remain contingent on whether Europe goes through with plans toloosen the ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035, according to Martin Jahn, Skoda’s head of sales and marketing.
The legislation in question is currently awaiting ratification or modification by the European Parliament.
Mr Jahn has also said Skoda will wait “as long as possible” to make a decision on a new Karoq, which leaves the door open for another facelift of the current model.
It wouldn’t be the first combustion-powered Volkswagen Group vehicle to get a stay of execution and a facelift. Fellow Volkswagen Group brand Seat has facelifted its ageing Arona and Ibiza, not sold here, that had previously been rumoured to be headed to the chopping block, while Volkswagen will do the same with its existing Polo.
First launched in 2017, the Karoq was last updated back in 2021 with tweaked exterior styling and a modern digital instrument display inside.
Any new Karoq will likely remain wedded to Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, albeit the latest version. As such, Australian buyers could expect a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains, the latter drawn from the upcoming Volkswagen T-Roc.