Skoda Karoq: Brand's oldest model may get a new generation, eventually

The Skoda Karoq could head into a second generation, but it might not materialise for a while as the automaker waits for legislative certainty.

Martin Jahn, Skoda’s head of sales and marketing, told Autocar the Czech automaker has a full line of combustion-powered models, and it plans to “keep them as long as customers want them, as long as it’s legally possible, and as long as it’s financially viable”.

When asked more about the future of the Karoq, which is the oldest vehicle in Skoda’s range, Mr Jahn said a new generation “would certainly make sense”.

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He cautioned that approval for a second-generation Karoq depends on whether Europe goes through with plans to loosen the ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035. The legislation written by the European Commission is currently awaiting ratification or modification by the European Parliament.

Mr Jahn also added that Skoda will “wait as long as possible” to make a decision on a new Karoq, opening the door to a second facelift for the mid-size SUV. The Karoq was launched back in 2017, and was given an extensive facelift in late 2021 with new front- and rear-end designs, as well as a revised interior with a digital instrumentation display.

If the Karoq does enter a second generation, it will likely use the latest update of the long-lived MQB architecture, which currently supports petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

The upcoming Volkswagen T-Roc, which at 4.37m long is around the same size as today’s Karoq, will debut a new hybrid drivetrain, which would be a logical addition to the second-generation Karoq’s powertrain offerings.

Skoda sold 102,600 Karoqs around the world in 2025, down 6.2 per cent from the year before. The model’s best year was 2019 when 152,700 found new homes.

Last year, the Karoq was the fifth most popular car (out of 12) from the Czech brand, behind the Octavia (190,300), Kodiaq (130,400), Kamiq (125,900), and Fabia (119,100).

Breathing down its neck was the 100mm-longer Elroq electric SUV (95,300), with the Enyaq EV (79,600) a bit further behind.

MORE: Explore the Skoda Karoq showroom