MY wife’s new car has a reversing camera, viewed by a dashboard-mounted screen. It’s a great bit of kit, but she hasn’t quite got used to it and tends to still rely on mirrors plus an over-the-shoulder view.

I mention this not as a comment on her driving skills, which are considerable, but to highlight the sophisticated equipment to be found in an increasing number of motors.

The latest Weekend Wheels road test car, a Skoda Karoq, had such a camera – among a feast of tasty features. In fact, this particular trim level, the range-topping Edition, had the sort of equipment that, not too long ago, would have been the preserve of the priciest limos.

Here is just a taste: leather upholstery and three-spoke leather trimmed multi-function steering wheel, sophisticated satnav, automatic headlight control, cruise control with speed limiter, DAB and Bluetooth, drive mode selector with off-road function, driver fatigue sensor, dual-zone climate control, heated auto-fold door mirrors with puddle lighting, powered tailgate, power-adjust driver’s seat with memory function, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, LED ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof.

Safety features include blind-spot detection with rear traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and front assist radar and automatic braking.

With such useful features, a high level of comfort, and pleasing driving characteristics this five-door SUV-crossover makes for a welcoming travelling experience.

It is Skoda’s strong contender in the sector that was pretty much created and is still dominated by the Nissan Qashqai, and it’s a part of the car market that is growing exponentially.

Smaller sibling of the stylish Kodiaq, the Karoq is an accomplished motor. And our two-litre,150bhp, diesel-powered model, with six speed manual gearbox, proved an able companion during a week-long test drive that took in a variety of driving conditions including a lengthy motorway haul. There was also a jaunt to the Lake District where the elevated driving position, affording enhanced visibility, proved a boon on the narrow, twisting roads.

Performance figures are: 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, a top speed of 121mph and 56mpg combined (manufacturer’s figures).

Skoda are notable for their attention to detail, and the car boasted a removable LED torch in the boot, an umbrella and a foldable table for each front seat-back. Price (inc options): £32,310.