With the Kamiq, Skoda rounds off its SUV range downwards. But is that relatively low Kamiq still an SUV or is it more of a crossover, a high-footed hatchback?
At the turn of the century, you seemed to have no chance as a car manufacturer if you did not have one or more MPVs in the range. However, Skoda was not among them. It stuck to conventional models, often just a bit more spacious than the rest. Skoda survived, the MPV did not. It has now cleared the field for the following trend: SUVs and crossovers. And now Skoda has taken the opportunity to hook up. From 2009 to 2018 there was the Yeti and now Skoda now also has a third SUV, the Kamiq, in addition to the Kodiaq and Karoq. Die Kamiq is the most compact of the three. It is related to the Seat Arona and the Volkswagen T-Cross. We are talking about compact SUVs that share their base with B-segment cars such as the Volkswagen Polo and the Skoda Scala (with which the Kamiq shares wheelbase and track width). When you put the Scala and the Kamiq side by side, the bodywork and profile show great similarities. Then the question arises: is the Kamiq a real SUV or just a raised hatchback?
Little sparkling
The Kamiq has a 1.0-liter three-cylinder that peaks at 115 horsepower. And he is only there as a front-wheel drive. However, you can opt for a manual or automatic transmission. The latter is the well-known DSG and that is the transmission that we have in this Kamiq. However, it does not yield a refined drivetrain. Thanks to this gearbox, the car does not get refined from its place. At other times, the gearbox lingers in gear for just a little too long before shifting back after some hesitation. The alternative is to put the poker in Sport mode, after which the gearbox becomes a little more alert, but the engine also makes more revs. No, the Skoda drivetrain is anything but sparkling. On the other hand, the consumption of the Skoda is a bit more pleasant. The Skoda has a light and somewhat distant steering, but in the Kamiq chassis we experience little unrest. That is clearly geared to comfort, without becoming too soft or soft. On pace, the lower carriage has less inclination to lean when cornering. Skoda offers an optional adaptive sports suspension. We know from previous experience that this does not add much and it hardly makes the car more dynamic.
New gadget
In an emergency, the car comes to a stop quickly. At the respective emergency stops from 100 to 0 km / h and from 50 km / h to 0 that we perform during our tests, the Skoda remains neatly manageable in the track. With the electronic assistance systems, the Kamiq already includes a proactive braking system, an active lane assistance and a multi-collision braking function (to prevent roll-over after a collision) from the basic version. Fatigue recognition on the Skoda depends on the implementation level and the high-beam assistant is a separate option. In the Skoda you sit slightly down and the entry is low. It is located at the intersection of the conventional hatchback and the SUV. This also applies to the interior space. When it comes to luggage, the Kamiq can hold 400 liters of gear. There are enough storage compartments for small items. In any case, the Czechs have paid a lot of attention to functionality. We know the ice scraper with profile depth gauge behind the fuel flap, as well as the umbrella in the door and the (optional) door protectors that automatically come out when you open the door. New is the cap of the windshield washer reservoir which, when you open it, fulfills the function of funnel. Come on over there!
Family ties
That the presence of family ties is no shame, we see in the Kamiq. The dashboard is set up according to the sleek and clear layout that we also know from other Skodas. The infotainment screen is nice and high and therefore well visible, above the ventilation grilles. The system works logically and nice and fast. The large screen in the photos is an option; by default you get a smaller display. Apple CarPlay is optionally available, but we do not come across Android Auto. Where the Kamiq then leads the way again are USB-C connections. An option on the test car is also the virtual cockpit, the instruments consisting of one large screen that you can organize at your own discretion. Nice that it is there, but Skoda has a name to keep up when it comes to analog meters. We do not know them much more clearly and clearly. Or is it a craving for nostalgia on our part? We also prefer a rotary knob for volume control, not two boxes on a touchscreen.
With the 115 hp engine, the price list for the Kamiq starts at € 24,690 for the variant with manual gearbox. The DSG is not available on the basic version and costs € 1,800 more, which brings the starting price to € 27,990. The Kamiq also always comes with central door locking and cruise control as standard.