SKODA has announced the opening or orders for its all-new Karoq SUV with a starting price of £20,875.

The Czech car maker says that as with its larger sibling - the seven-seater Kodiaq - the Karoq delivers a balance of practicality and comfort and comes with a good list of standard kit.

The Karoq is available in three trim levels; SE, SE L and Edition - with each grade offering good levels of equipment.

SE models start from £20,875 with SE L models available from £23,165 and range-topping Edition models priced from £27,110.

Standard features fitted across the range include alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED rear lights, dual-zone climate control, front assist, pedestrian monitor and driver fatigue sensor.

Like the Skoda Kodiaq, the Karoq offers practicality, especially for family motoring coming with a large wheelbase offering passengers plenty of legroom, while the Varioflex seating system (standard on SE L and Edition models, optional on SE) allows owners to adapt the rear of the car to meet their individual needs.

The VarioFlex system consists of three separate rear seats that can be individually adjusted or completely removed to create a maximum load volume of 1,810 litres.

There are four engine options - two TSI petrol units with outputs of 115bhp and 150bhp and two TDI diesels also with power outputs of 115bhp and 150bhp.

All four are available with a seven-speed DSG transmission as an option, with the most powerful diesel model - the 2.0 TDI 150PS, also available with four-wheel drive.