Introduced in 2017, the vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB A1 platform, and since replaced the Škoda Yeti.

The name Karoq is derived from the Aleutian language, spoken by the native inhabitants of the Alaskan island of Kodiak.

It is a combination of the Aleutian words "kaa'raq" and "ruq", a car and an arrow, which are the elements of the Škoda logo.

[11]The Karoq for the Chinese market is produced by SAIC-Volkswagen, which is the sole manufacturer of Škoda vehicles in China.

The vehicle made its domestic debut at the 2017 Guangzhou Auto Show with the Chinese name 柯珞克; (Kēluòkè).

The Karoq entered production on 12 December 2019 at Volkswagen Group’s Nizhny Novgorod plant in Russia through CKD kits.

It offers a new 10.25" digital gauge cluster, three-zone automatic AC, adaptive suspension DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) and electric sliding panoramic sunroof for higher trim levels.

The new Karoq is first offered in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland with pre-orders starting December 2021 and delivery to customers is expected in spring of 2022.

It is sold in three trim levels: Active (Slovakia and Czech Republic only), Ambition and Style, as well as a sporty Karoq Sportline.

In the German reading poll Autonis 2017, Auto motor und sport readers voted Karoq the most beautiful car in the class of compact SUV.