New Skoda Karoq road trip - 1,500 miles, five countries, one brilliant SUV

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Car buyers can’t get enough of SUVs, which is why every major maker is expanding its line-up in this rapidly growing area of the market. Latest to arrive on the scene is the new Skoda Karoq, a model which has an integral role to play in the firm’s long-term plan to significantly increase sales by 2025. More than that, though, it has a hard act to follow, replacing the much-loved Yeti as the company’s contender in the mid-size SUV class. To find out just how good it is, we sent James Batchelor on a special 1,500-mile road trip from the Czech Republic to the UK…
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[@Jeffybonbon]

so what was the mpg is there much luggage space what's the room in the back do you get a spare wheel what is the radio and sat nav like ??????? I got more info on the chocs than the car ????

[@MrQuakeroat]

As with most of James Batchelor's reviews, this was more about him than the car. We learned more about continental chocolate bars than we did about the Karoq...or was it a Kodiaq? He didn't seem sure.

[@johnhodge1263]

Would like to have long trip video on 1.5 petrol version.

[@ahmedsalman617]

😄😄 cant agree more

[@leem5894]

9.21 Kodiaq? Lol

[@topcat4265]

Lee M I laughed at that

[@toryglen]

Well spotted!

[@zouhairsaoud8659]

jumped to the comment section once I heard it lol

[@borjastick]

Very pleased to see you once more James. I am much enjoying this review as I currently own and am very satisfied with a Yeti 4x4 DSG. Looks like a proper road trip too. Well done.

[@adammatuska6078]

That pronounciation of czech names was hysterical :D thanks for that.....

[@carlamagalhaes506]

Adam Matuška e muitas opções que tenho em estoque no 7nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnüî

[@xo17499]

Thanks for this video - I am considering getting one for myself and that was useful

[@TheFrasseF]

Great video! Like some history repetiton. Great job James

[@leenewell1447]

For this type of review would have been interesting for the viewer to have been told things like the mpg for this 1500 mile trip and any negatives (none mentioned)

[@andy14landy]

Lee Newell it averaged over 40mpg

[@jamiep61]

Lee Newell Yes I agree

[@q3b26]

Me too. "Over 40mpg" is very vague... I have a 10 year old Focus CC 2.0 TDCi. Last year I did a 2200 mile trip around Europe, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands and Belgium... I averaged 45.4mpg even with the roof down for most of it, the boot and backseats full of 2 week's worth of clothes, food, camping gear. I got to 124mph on the autobahn but just couldn't reach the claimed top speed of 125 😂

[@michalviktorin6758]

@@q3b26 Clothes, food and camping gear does not goes more than 100 kg, which is one fat person, so it is not worth mentioning.

[@johnhodge1263]

@@andy14landy door elastic band in door useful for maps, really, No sat nav ???

[@NeilJames1982]

I like how James is eating his way through chocolate bars and delivering his verdict. It reminds me when Jeremy Clarkson drove a 2002 Jaguar XJR upto John O' Groats.

[@andycapp8843]

Is it correct to think the Karoq is also self cleaning? Despite the rain, snow and possibly dust, the car didn’t appear to collect any road grime at all. Might this be a first for Skoda that perhaps all other manufacturers will emulate?

[@volkswizard]

Really enjoyed this, thanks. Great to see a review like this which is the kind where you really get to know a car. I dread northern France too but not as much as the M25. Is it a Karoq or a Kodiaq though (go to 9:14)?!

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed the Video and the Skoda Karoq Is a brilliant SUV and should be on buyers short lists

[@636dude]

Cant deal with this Quentin Wilson impersonator

[@jameslewis1833]

I can remember when every car had a realy convenient place to put ur key anyone else remember that

[@odd-looking-dude]

Haha yeah, totally !

[@nickhickson8738]

Keyless is an absurd idea tbh. Key in the ignition slot, safe there.

[@stevenorchard5648]

Has this guy been watching old Top Gear shows which included Quentin Wilson.

[@vilebrequin6923]

*that* is who he strongly reminded me of! Thank you!

[@mayhsalaam9321]

very nice very brave to drive on a long journey well deserve rest has always a good review

[@ELGlueckert]

Who here has done a long distance trip by car, how many miles/kilometers and what car over how many days? For me about 2500 miles or 4023 km over 3 days from Jacksonville, FL to Helena, MT in a '95 Infiniti G20 which is a Nissan Primera GT elsewhere.

[@Lumixster]

I think i found my new car, 10 years with my Golf Tdi MK5...Skoda here I come.

[@icemax7]

Awesome script and review. This is how car reviews must really be made. Didn't feel like 15 minutes at all. Graceful script and class review

[@mayhsalaam9321]

l only watched this review JB learning Prague so so amazingly funny keep watching this just makes me laugh sososo much 10 out of 10 top review

[@promtbeat]

doe his voice sound like quentin wilson?

[@kimkimkim8]

Brilliant, top 5 presents on youtube.

[@CharllesC78]

Four wheels drive doesn't do a thing if you don't have a good set of winter tyres for driving in snow. I live in Finland and I know what real winter drive is.

[@andras.89]

I enjoyed this review.

[@Mrianmarshall]

james i quite enjoyed your review

[@davidphilbrow8487]

Good review but at 9.20 you called it the Kodiaq?

[@fergspan5727]

What is replacing the yeti?

[@Ibby25]

I was more interested in the chocolate than the car. Fun review James, keep it up!

[@lindaphillips2188]

15 minutes of my life I'll never get back....!

[@mariolosberg4257]

I'm not a fan of Skoda , but this car is really good and it look's nice...

[@JvB]

As someone about to spend 25K on a Karoq, I can safely say this was a pointless review. Not informative, no critique, not entertaining either.

[@NeilJames1982]

Did anyone notice the Top Gear Easter Egg in this? No? When James is eating all those chocolate bars and says "That was a most delicious lunch, much looking forward to my supper" it is almost exactly what Jeremy Clarkson said when he ate a load of chocolate when he drove a Jaguar XJR to Scotland but he said "tea" not supper.

[@Julianpms]

This could just as well be a promotional video for the manufacturer, not an ounce of critical analysis. Please either label it a promotional video, or do the job!

[@WonderfulWizard48]

Did anyone spot the 'deliberate' mistake? Referred to the Kodiaq when fueling up!

[@rodneymain2871]

Oops slip of the tongue called the car a Kodiaq while he was filling up ....lmao

[@RiddleTime]

Please upload in 21:9 aspect ratio, not in 16:9. Now I need to pan the aspect ratio myself in full screen with an ultra wide screen TSSSSSSS!

[@jcfresh2326]

Tusan is the way to go

[@aspendox]

You haven’t changed your t-shirt all the way from Prague to London? That’s the most striking thing I guess. And how can you make 870 miles with two tanks? I am making 750 miles with superb 1.6TDI DSG here with one tank full, isn’t it weird?

[@jeremycubs8331]

750 miles or kilometres? What's tank capacity of superb?

[@johnhodge1263]

London Diesel congestion charge + Studded snow tyres = an expensive trip even without the customer survey of service station confectionery 🤣😂

[@StewartP45]

Nice "advertorial" as the saying goes, for Skoda. When you've been around a while you start to spot the pieces for manufacturers vs genuine reviews.

[@edwardkinsella287]

They run Promo skoda video's how can they be trusted?

[@jacktattis143]

1500 mile jesus a day trip in Australia

[@longtailgt]

More chocolate reviews please!

[@Flexo_l]

9:21 he said Kodiaq XD

[@Sorarse]

Thanks for the comments below guys regarding the lack of critique or any useful information. Saved me wasting 15 minutes of my life.

[@toryglen]

Why did you start reviewing the chocolate bars? Seems to have turned into a comedy sketch, with a David Walliams impression, thrown in.

[@keithisaacs6092]

Perfect review perfect car as for James he's a fruit and nut case.

[@qvasic]

what color is that car?

[@vilebrequin6923]

Hearing Aid grey.

[@samuelmariasebastine1773]

When will we expect this car in India?

[@SiyathWidyaratne]

Excellent video as always James!

[@downburst1]

One word, Topic

[@AGFe19]

Didn’t Jeremy Clarkson do a similar chocolate bar “review” when driving a Jaguar to the top of Scotland?

[@hemmay]

Did he? Who cares about that pompous lout? Well done James.

[@absrecovery]

Clarkson started it all without him car reviews would still be biring

[@AGFe19]

kevin heming I like James too, but it’s almost word for word, it’s odd.

[@KuromixLara]

Shouldn't that be 2200 kilometers, since you're in Europe?

[@vrs2011man]

Close your eyes, and you could me forgiven for mistaking him for Quentin Wilson!

[@PimWSmit]

I’ve driven the Karoq now for 6000 km. Brilliant car. It just needs to warm up.

[@PimWSmit]

While fueling remember that it is still a karoq, not a kodiaq.............

[@scotplane]

If you really wanted this video to be in a cinemascope aspect ratio, you could have at least uploaded it as such, instead of just sticking black bars on a 16:9 video.

[@Mikekenn6000]

sounds like you were paid to promote the Karoq, did not come across as independent car review, a 3 day trip sounds like a promotion to me

[@jetblack3417]

Varsaw LOL! :-)

[@mrmeg01]

Karoq or Kodiak make your mind up

[@dinocaushllari8881]

10:56 in x0.25 😂

[@AliveGhost13]

£33000 is too much - that is excellent spec VW tiguan money

[@skyhigheagleer6]

You'll get 3-5k min. off list with Skoda though.

[@leem5894]

You can get £5k off a Tiguan too. Karoq is a nice car but 33k list price is way too much. You can get a tiguan SE-L or even stretch to R Line for similar money

[@skyhigheagleer6]

The R Line starts around £34k with similar engine, and has fewer options as standard. Badge snob.

[@AliveGhost13]

That's all crap though. You can say they are the same all you want but "underneath" the golf and the tiguan are the same. Are they the same? No. The Q7 and bentayga are the "same"? No. Can you get active info in ateca? No. Just because the platform is the same doesn't mean they are the same car.

[@AliveGhost13]

Omnislash Vince Gaming You can't. Go and drive a Leon and then a golf, drive an ateca and then a tiguan and come back. I have done both and found the golf/tiguan had less wind noise and road noise. I'm not saying the skoda and ateca are bad, however there is a difference especially in the relatively dull seat interiors

[@jamesrohangomes1234]

Did this guy got fired from car buyer.

[@mendistudio]

Confimed: James likes Nuts. Refreshing review btw!

[@andrewallan5442]

This a review or an advert?

[@scoopermg8226]

Andrew Allan an advert, clearly.

[@kennyg4744]

And Skoda is paying you........................

[@tia_smrdi]

9:17 its a karoq and not a kodiaq

[@BlackCountryLad]

Very strange driving from Prague when all of the Karoq’s are made in the Germany factory why they are updating the manufacturing plant.🤣

[@jonm9501]

1,500 miles and all he can do is eat chocolate and say it's a competent all-rounder? Ridiculous video

[@sohamghosh8906]

yeah coz the Skoda is a competent all rounder......

[@jameskeyes3744]

9.21 It is a Karoq not a Kodiaq. A Kodiaq is the bigger version of this car

[@IcEMystPrivate]

9.21" but the kodiac" , lol

[@cbcdesign001]

So he gets out of the vehicle to get fuel and leaves the key in the car! If something goes wrong and it locks up he cannot get back into the car! Never leave a key in the car that has keyless entry.

[@wallansanassy3274]

You’ve left car buyer ???

[@ffchx129]

car buyer and auto express are part of the same company

[@DaxXx988]

Lol slow-mos of... absolutely nothing

[@gerrywhelan7426]

Looks like a (grey) shed

[@petercavellini3232]

Where did you get that T’Shirt James?, it’s a bit naff...😎

[@svenp.2424]

the best chocolate bars review I've ever seen .

[@rajindernijjer]

Not very impressive if you had winter tyres

[@Matthew_M11]

Who could watch this dude for 15 minutes lol

[@vilebrequin6923]

I like him.

[@frostycut]

Started off ok then descended into farce with chocolate bars ! Barely informative

[@biggerbitcoin5126]

Why was he shocked at 40 mins Czech....it's in the title.

[@capt.samvimes768]

I thought it was a car test/review. Not a chocolate bar test. At 9.21/22 the car has morphed from a Karoq to a Kodiak?? What the... How about showing the parking abilities of the car? Plus all the other things were and weren’t talked about? Or are the boring motorways of France more important? Geez, review the car next time. Please.

[@dukacosmic]

Didn't receive any useful information after 1500mls...

[@rileyjames2111]

assert portrait order glwtl legend butter gain earnings existing frankly risk alter.

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

what the hell happened? The colour of this video is hideous and the sound is not good also.... it seems like they recorded a tv broadcast with a camera pointed at the screen!

[@cettejuste4398]

it's a VW

[@dalefullerton4553]

The trip would be fun, the car is as dull as ditchwater.

[@petkopetkopp]

why are you still alive

[@thisispw]

Leave out the choc ads and the language course, stick to a shorter review with relevant info, as it stands just one big jolly at the expense of AE or.........

[@scoopermg8226]

Sponsored by Skoda.

[@hororfights338]

Hi

[@bernardoosset4598]

how come you are driving a right wheeled car across left wheeled countries?? is it allowed?? seems pretty dangerous

[@Tradewind25]

Mapa Mundi seems to have a very restricted world view; odd! (sic)

[@Eddiestab]

This is a joke surely?

[@colinoneil7714]

What? Having driven over 12000 miles in 5 countries in right hand drive cars I can say it's NOT dangerous. Ask lorry drivers

[@davidbennion9039]

Usually does interesting and informative reviews but not this time. A great demonstration of how NOT to drive a car on a motorway anywhere. Driving without due care and attention in my book and as for pratting about with sweet packets while talking into a camera a danger to himself and everybody else on the motorway, every bit as bit as texting on a mobile for my money. No wonder he got mixed up over the name of the car.

[@picklesrule69]

Copying Top gear? 😂

[@XzzVttll]

yap, my thoughts too

[@Tradewind25]

Not a bad precedent to follow, though.

[@wassupMannn]

I don't mind.

[@Thefighterspider]

Well this idea is not that original that only top gear could have made it, it's simple, interesting and the most important thing is that it's beneficial and interesting information about daily drives, top gear is a show where the least thing of matter is cars daily usage.

[@picklesrule69]

Thefighterspider I'm not saying it's a bad thing!

[@Lokra_]

Founded by who???? Vaklav?? ahahhaha its Vatslav!!! Maybe Vaklav founded something but definitely not Skoda...

[@Superdelphinus]

Crazy hairy hands

[@theforcer1762]

Okay i'm sorry. But you are copying old top gear. With the language learning, way of speaking and everything

[@kraenk12]

Theforcer 1 And that is BAD.!!?

[@matthewtierney2963]

Really poor review

[@dashcam2417]

Another over size unnecessary parents truck . We sat four across in my dads Ford popular in the 70's .. this type of car is about one thing .. the owners ego . Sorry but these car too big and just another's fad .

[@nikolaignjatovic2012]

Booooorrrrriiinggggg

[@luka6075]

Nikola Ignjatovic slazem se,dosadan je ovaj lik

[@BigBoiTurboslav]

eik naxui