New Skoda Karoq: a hybrid future, with no electric version on the cards
skoda-auto.com
The next-generation Karoq arrives by 2028 with combustion and hybrid power, leaving the EV role to the Elroq.
Skoda isn’t handing the compact SUV segment over to electric cars just yet. The next-generation Karoq is expected by 2028 and should arrive with hybrid powertrains, while a fully electric version of the model isn’t in the plan.
That approach fits Skoda’s current strategy rather neatly. The brand already has the electric Elroq covering the battery-powered compact SUV slot. The Karoq, based on the latest reporting, is set to remain a separate model aimed at buyers who still want a familiar crossover with a combustion engine or a hybrid. A plug-in hybrid version is on the table too, although the final engine line-up hasn’t been confirmed.
According to European reports, the successor will most likely keep the Karoq name rather than morph into an entirely new line-up. It is expected to ride on an updated MQB Evo platform, the same one used by the current Kodiaq and Superb. On the engine side, petrol versions and various levels of electrification are the focus, although it is still unclear whether Skoda will limit itself to a 48-volt mild hybrid or also offer a full plug-in hybrid setup.
The decision looks pragmatic. EV demand across Europe is growing unevenly, and buyers still weigh up price, range, charging infrastructure and total cost of ownership. So Skoda is splitting the line-up into two: the Elroq for those who are ready to go electric, and the Karoq for those who prefer a more conventional family crossover.
