In partnership with Auto Trader
New Skoda Karoq vs used Audi Q3: interiors
If you're buying new, the Skoda Karoq is the best family SUV you can have for around £26,000, but is a used Audi Q3 for the same money an even better option?...
Interiors
Driving position, visibility, build quality
We doubt anyone will have trouble getting comfortable behind the wheel of either the Audi Q3 or the Skoda Karoq, because both have fundamentally sound driving positions.
You might not stay comfortable in the Q3 on long drives, though, unless you can find a car where the first owner specified the optional adjustable lumbar support, whereas the Karoq gets this useful feature as standard, even in entry-level SE Drive trim.
In addition, the Karoq offers slightly better over-the-shoulder visibility, thanks to its slimmer rear pillars. However, both cars get rear parking sensors as standard, while a rear-view camera is an option on the Karoq and could also be added to the Q3 when new.
In addition, both cars seat you quite high and have reasonably slim windscreen pillars, so give you a good view of the road ahead.
By choosing an Audi over a Skoda, you might think you're guaranteed to get a much classier interior, but in reality that's not the case with these two. Yes, the Q3 features lots of soft-touch materials and wonderfully tactile air-con controls, but there are also some hard plastics in a few prominent places.
As a result, the Karoq actually feels similarly plush, and there's also little between these two in terms of how solidly assembled they feel.
Infotainment systems
Skoda Karoq
SE Drive trim includes a clear, bright 8.0in touchscreen that responds promptly to inputs. It’s an intuitive system, thanks to its logical menus. Our only real complaint is that its menu shortcut buttons are touch-sensitive pads rather than physical buttons, so they can be difficult to find without taking your eyes off the road. More positively, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring became standard with the model's recent update.
Audi Q3
All Q3s get a 10.1in touchscreen with a DAB radio, sat-nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, plus the screen is even more responsive than the one in the Karoq and the graphics that bit fancier. Our only complaint is that the system isn't as user-friendly as the dial controller and buttons that feature in the smaller and cheaper Audi Q2.
