Skoda Karoq vs. Volkswagen Tiguan: which is better?
See how two similar compact crossover SUVs stack up on performance, features and more as we compare the VW Tiguan to the Skoda Karoq
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The family SUV market is flooded, and there’s more choice than there’s ever been, but two models that rise to the top are the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq.
Sitting somewhere between budget and premium, these are two SUVs you can seriously buy with your head as well as your heart, so let us outline what makes them differ.
Does the Skoda Karoq or Volkswagen Tiguan offer more style?
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The Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan are really similar in terms of engines and other mechanical parts because they both belong to the Volkswagen Group, but they both have completely separate designs.
The Karoq has a sleek and modern exterior, and you can tell it belongs to a family of other Skoda SUVs because they all have a very similar design. In a way, the Skoda Karoq looks like a bigger version of the Kamiq and a smaller version of the Kodiaq.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has a much bolder, more aggressive design, which is even more evident in sporty R-Line models.
It’s worth noting that the Karoq is in a class below the Tiguan, but they offer similar amounts of interior space. It’s the Kodiaq that’s more similar to the Tiguan – both are also available with seven seats (sold as the Tiguan Allspace in this case).
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan or Skoda Karoq better to drive?
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Skoda designed the Karoq with a comfortable and composed drive, and it offers a pretty smooth drive, which is great for our potholed roads. It’s a popular family SUV for commuting, and it’s refined on faster roads like motorways, too.
Compared with the Karoq, the Tiguan offers a more dynamic experience – the steering is more responsive and the suspension is slightly firmer, but this is still very much a comfortable SUV.
Both come with very similar engine options because they belong to the same group of manufacturers – for example, both have been available over the years with 150hp versions of the 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines.
However, because the Karoq is the smaller of the two cars, it came with other, less powerful options, such as the 116hp 2.0-litre diesel and the 110hp 1.0-litre petrol. Its most powerful options are the 190hp 2.0-litre petrol and 190hp 2.0-litre diesel.
The Tiguan’s least powerful petrol was the 130hp 1.5-litre petrol, but you can get pretty quick 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines with outputs including 190hp, 200hp, 230hp and 240hp. There’s even a very fast Tiguan R, which uses a 320hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, but that’s expensive to buy and run.
Some of the engines, including the 1.5-litre petrol, also got mild hybrid tech added to them in recent years – look for models badged eTSI for this, or consider buying the plug-in hybrid version of the Tiguan if you want to maximise your fuel savings. It has the same 245hp 1.4-litre setup as the Golf GTE performance hatchback.
Some older models had different engines, for example, lesser-powered diesels had a 1.6-litre unit and the 1.5-litre petrol replaced an older 1.4-litre petrol – these engines are still very good, and fuel economy is generally pretty impressive.
Higher-spec versions of both models come with four-wheel drive, and there’s a smooth-shifting dual-clutch automatic gearbox available, too. It’s a pleasure to use and takes the effort out of town driving.
Skoda Karoq vs. Volkswagen Tiguan: interior
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Skoda’s interior is fairly minimalist, and this is to help the Karoq keep a low price tag, but it feels nothing like a bargain basement and you’ll get plenty of car tech, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Most models come with things like rear parking sensors, cruise control and dual-zone climate control, and mid-spec models tend to add things like front parking sensors, a reversing camera and keyless entry, depending on model year.
There are plenty of optional extras to look out for, too, like adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof and a powered boot lid that you can open by waving your foot under the bumper.
The Volkswagen Tiguan has a more upmarket interior, with higher quality and soft-touch materials. It’s placed as a more affordable alternative to premium SUVs like the BMW X3, and you can tell this from the way the interior is designed.
You still get the same smartphone connectivity options, but things like adaptive cruise control and three-zone climate control are standard on newer models.
Even more tech, like a digital instrument cluster, self-parking and a powered boot lid are available on higher trim levels as standard, with optional extras including a heated steering wheel, a heated windscreen and a full 360-degree camera pack.
Volkswagen Tiguan vs. Skoda Karoq: which has more boot space?
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Being the larger of the two cars, it should come as no surprise that the Tiguan has more boot space. The previous-generation model, sold between 2016 and 2024, has a pretty impressive 615-litre space. It’ll be hard for you to find a mid-sized SUV with a larger boot.
The Karoq has an impressive 521-litre space, and considering it sits in a class below, it has nearly as much space as most of the Tiguan’s competitors. Models fitted with the VarioFlex seating – three rear seats that slide independently – have up to 588 litres of space.
Compare Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq: which is more reliable?
Skoda has already built itself a name for reliability, and Volkswagen is known for building durable cars, but they both get the added benefit of belonging to the Volkswagen Group. This means they can share parts with Audi, SEAT and more. More concentrated investment in fewer parts can only be a good thing.
Skoda Karoq vs. Volkswagen Tiguan size and dimensions
The Skoda is nearly 10cm shorter, over 7cm narrower and around 5cm lower than the Tiguan, which really proves that it’s packaged well. To fit so much passenger and luggage room in a substantially smaller car is seriously impressive.
The Karoq is 4,390mm long, 2,025mm wide and 1,603mm tall, whereas the Tiguan is 4,486mm long, 2,099mm wide and 1,654mm tall.
Used Volkswagen Tiguan vs. used Skoda Karoq: which should you buy?
A lot of drivers enjoy owning a Volkswagen Tiguan because it has a premium feel and is very well-equipped for its price. It also comes with a range of economical engines and is spacious enough for a few adults in the back.
However, if you’re keen to save some cash, the smaller Skoda Karoq is worthy of your attention. It’s a well-packaged model that still comes loaded with equipment, so if you’re happy to have a less powerful engine (which could be more economical), then shortlist a few of these, too.