Skoda Karoq Mini Roadtrip Shows Car with “Quirks” Galore


I don’t do this often, but I flew from Sydney to Port Macquarie to meet a friend in her Karoq. The aim was to drive back to Sydney to begin our mini holiday, staying at Jamala  where we will be staying inside the zoo, traveling there in a Genesis GV80. We’ve reviewed Karoq many times, but a car will often only show its true colours years after purchase.

Like many Lesbians, the owner has had Subarus, and a VW Tiguan, all of which were like swiss watches.

The Karoq is much loved, but has some shortcomings. First, the owner was told it had wireless CarPlay, but alas, if it does, it doesn’t work. The 4-year-old Karoq has other quirks too. The sensors go bananas in the wet. All manner of bings and bongs sound with phantom warnings in this car with only 20,000kms on the dial.

While we’re on the subject of wet weather, the wipers get a mention. This was possibly the most comical quirk of all. How often have you seen a feckless driver zooming down the highway with the rear wiper flashing across the back window like a demented 1-arm windmill? Is it always their fault?

In the Skoda’s case, just like the errant sensors, the wipers have a mind of their own. With the rear wiper in the “off” position, the front wiper lever was moved up into the intermittent/auto position. This is supposed to turn on the windscreen wipers in rain sensing mode. However, in auto, the rear wiper also came on despite being firmly in the off position. We trawled the menus to make sure there wasn’t a convenience setting we’d missed, but alas no.

Nothing would stop the maniacal waving in view of the driver’s mirror. Turning off then on again didn’t work.

Video Review: 2023 MG ZS EV Long Range The good and the Bad – FULL review #gaycarboys

1 Minute Video Review: what’s in the MG ZS EV Long Range? mini REVIEW #shorts

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel 

ABOVE: Skoda Karoq

Upon arriving in Sydney 5 hours later, we checked forums online to find others had the same issue with different Skodas of all kinds. Some say it is because over time, the water running through the middle of the wiper motor eventually shorts the system. Some even say that this happens without wipers on, on a dry day.

Before you ask, the “wipe in reverse” may or may not have been activated, but we were going forwards so it was of no matter.

One last thing: I drive many new cars that have front sensors that warn of driving forwards into a space and get too close to a gutter. The Karoq‘s warnings don’t extend to the gutter edge, at least front on. Beware, if you don’t want to maroon yourself in a spectacularly embarrassing performance of non-precision parking.

I’ll be contacting the Skoda people over the next few days. Stay tuned for the PR spin that will substitute for explanation.

More GayCarBoys Stories

Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.


Discover more from Gay Car Boys

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from Gay Car Boys

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading