Skoda Yeti to be axed in favour of all-new Karoq

Skoda has announced the Karoq SUV. The all-new model will go on sale in late 2017 and replace the Yeti in Skoda's SUV line-up. 

Skoda hasn’t released any details about pricing for the Karoq. It hasn’t released any official pictures either, bar a couple of images of a car covered in camouflaged paint.

However, we do know that it will be 160mm longer and 48mm wider than the outgoing Yeti. This means it will move away from the compact SUV segment and go up against the SEAT Ateca and Nissan Qashqai.

Given the increased dimensions, it’s perhaps understandable that the Karoq will be considerably larger on the inside, with space for up to seven adults. There will also be a 588 litre boot, with the rear seats in place, which is 172 litres more than the Yeti. 

Flatten the rear bench and cargo capacity increases to 1810 litres - which is 50 litres more than the outgoing car. 

As well as more space, Skoda is promising better connectivity and driver assistance, with automatic parking, lane keeping assist and blind spot detection. Full LED headlights will also be available, along with improved adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking, which will bring the vehicle to a halt if pedestrians step out in front of it. 

Five engines - two petrols and three diesels – will be available, ranging from 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0-litres. Power ratings will start with 115PS and increase to 190PS.

As with the Yeti, front-wheel and four-wheel drive will be available, along with six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG automatic transmissions. Skoda hasn't released any economy or CO2 ratings, but tell us that the Karoq will tow up to two tonnes when hooked to a braked trailer. 

For now, that's all we know about the Yeti replacement. The Karoq will get its official unveiling in mid-May, which will hopefully provide details on pricing and some images of the production-ready car.

Given that both the SEAT Ateca and Nissan Qashqai start in the region of £18,000, we’d expect the Skoda Karoq to cost the best part of £20,000 when it goes on sale in the autumn.