Skoda Karoq vs Suzuki S-Cross
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 8 Oct 2026, price 28 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Suzuki S-Cross: we're still completing 0-100km/h, warranty and turning circle.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$44,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$33,650est. RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Skoda Karoq starts from $44,490 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki S-Cross opens at $33,650 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $46,990 for the Skoda Karoq and $36,990 for the Suzuki S-Cross.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Skoda Karoq a rating. We hold no ANCAP data for the Suzuki S-Cross. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Skoda Karoq
- REC-001199 · published 8 Jul 2019In some instances, the front driver air bag may not inflate to its fullest capacity fast enough when required.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2018
Suzuki S-Cross
- REC-001260 · published 21 Apr 2016Magyar Suzuki Corporation has identified a possibility that during production the front seat back may have been assembled with incorrect stitch seam spacing, outside of the manufacturing control value around the area of the side airbag.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-001259 · published 20 Apr 2016Magyar Suzuki Corporation has identified a possibility that during production the front seat back may have been assembled with incorrect stitch seam spacing, outside of the manufacturing control value around the area of the side airbag.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-001258 · published 22 Feb 2016The rear axle bolts may loosen, come away or break, potentially causing the vehicle to become inoperable.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Skoda Karoq features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Suzuki S-Cross gets a 7-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Skoda Karoq stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate, Canton audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Suzuki S-Cross. The Suzuki S-Cross counters with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Skoda Karoq gets cloth upholstery while the Suzuki S-Cross offers fabric.
Drivetrain
The Skoda Karoq uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 8 speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.2 seconds.
The Suzuki S-Cross lines up making 103kW and 220Nm, paired to a 6-speed automatic driving the rear wheels.
The Skoda Karoq has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 103kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Skoda Karoq measures 4,390mm long on a 2,638mm wheelbase, 85mm longer than the Suzuki S-Cross at 4,305mm (2,600mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Skoda Karoq generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 521L in the Skoda Karoq and 430L in the Suzuki S-Cross, giving the Skoda Karoq a 91L advantage.
For towing, the Suzuki S-Cross leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m diameter
Good
Based on 10.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 8.8 m of road; you have 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,881/year for the Skoda Karoq and $1,682/year for the Suzuki S-Cross. That is a $199 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki S-Cross.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Skoda Karoq if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki S-Cross if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Skoda Karoq: Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 66, but the Suzuki S-Cross is $10,840 cheaper
The Skoda Karoq comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (72 vs 66), taking 2 of 3 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: reliability (Skoda Karoq ahead by 15), value (Skoda Karoq ahead by 9), fuel economy (Suzuki S-Cross ahead by 7). The Suzuki S-Cross will save you roughly $199 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Skoda Karoq has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Skoda Karoq and Suzuki S-Cross?
The Suzuki S-Cross is the cheapest at $33,650 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Skoda Karoq by $10,840.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki S-Cross uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Skoda Karoq, and we hold no ANCAP data for Suzuki S-Cross, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Skoda Karoq has the largest boot at 521L with the seats up (1,630L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Skoda Karoq has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Skoda Karoq makes the most power at 110kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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