Skoda Kamiq review 2021: Too much for a pint-sized SUV?

Skoda is on a roll with SUVs that start with a K. The new Skoda Kamiq follows that trend and even has an umbrella built into the door - just like a Rolls-Royce. Paul Maric reviews the 2021 Skoda Kamiq 110 TSI to see if it's any good!

Skip Ahead:
Intro: 00:00
Exterior 00:51
Interior 03:02
Infotainment 04:18
Safety Tech 06:57
Practicality 07:53
On the road 12:13
Verdict 16:08

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CarExpert:

Paul Maric:

#skoda #kamiq #review

[puneetzar]

Did anyone else notice the 'Sexy Mumma' at 4:56?😂

[StephenFogarty]

Great car.
It’s not overpriced.
Many competitor product at similar pricing.
This small SUV category is very popular nowadays.
Not everyone wants or needs a bigger vehicle.
And this Skoda is very space efficient with good space in Row 2 and a decent sized boot.
Many people r happy to pay
$ 40 k so that they get a high amount of features with the vehicle.
They want this sized vehicle, but not a base spec version of it.

[peacemyheart]

I think the key is for opening the door when the proximity key runs out of battery

[StevenG]

You can argue that any small FWD SUV for $37k is too much, however I think if you compare it to it's competitors it is quite well priced. A similarly equipped Mazda CX30 G20 Astina is over $43k and has a gutless engine. Same story with the Subaru XV. Eclipse Cross and Kia Seltos with similar turbo engines and features both start in the high 30s as well. You can argue that those rivals are larger however even though the Kamiq is smaller externally than most, its great interior packaging means that it can hold its own against larger rivals.

Another thing that needs to be considered is the cost of servicing. The Kamiq offers a 5 year service pack for $1400 which makes it cheaper than pretty much everything except for the Yaris Cross. The mechanically identical VW T-Cross is around $1900 for the same 5 years and the CX30 is also around $1900, however would be even higher if you do more than 10, 000km a year. The XV would cost you $2500 to service over the same 5 years!

[nishant]

DSG is not an issue, you just need to understand it and work with it. I have had DSG based VW and Skoda for a long time now and always know what the gearbox is doing. The tap on the accelerator should define how the DSG behaves and its upto the driver to ensure this.

[dbanbury]

I do love all of the thoughtfulness features I.e the cup holder rubber has raised bits so you can open a bottle with one hand, the fact that the boot floor has carpet on one side and practical rubber on the other or that the cap for the rain washer filler also doubles as a funnel

[MrPiwi]

The Kamiq has a 7-Speed-DSG, not a 6-Speed-DSG as you mentioned!

[jjwoody]

Recently test drove one of these after watching this video and tried to emulate the transmission jerky take of from start and in heavy traffic but found it smooth and responsive. We test drove a number of its competitors and apart from the CX 30 found this transmission to be the best of them.
As per price wise it compares well with the CX 30 sp20, Renault Captur, the XV Subaru, it’s VW siblings and all the Korean brands. Fit and finish it is better than most and we found it was the best car to drive. Picked a Race Blue one and waiting for it arrival in Oct 22.

[lilasht]

I have the 1.0L base model Style Kamiq and I thought it had a lot included for the base model and significantly cheaper. I’m very happy with mine and glad I got the one I did opposed to spending the extra.

[subramoniams]

I drive a SKODA Yeti 2012 1.8L turbo, 112TSI. Kamiq looks similar. I would not go back to standard automatic. Love it's DSG. I don't get any kind of shudder or sluggishness with it. In fact at traffic lights, if I am at the first car at the stop line, I take off much faster than most cars and by the time I touch 80kmph (the city speed limit in Abu Dhabi) others may be just picking speed.

Love the ergonomics of Yeti - cruise control switch, wiper control, lamps, info display, phone / music control all in reach. All those boxes and compartments and hooks. Simply Clever.

Yes a/c is a bit weak for the climate in ME.

8 years and 100k with 20k in desert / dirt track. It's Haldex has taken me out of soft sand and loose soil many times. So far no mechanical issues.

I am sitting on the fence if to leave Skoda camp to VW Tiguan / Mazda CX5 /Jeep Compass OR pick a Karoq or Kodiaq.

[rogerbrooks]

Agree on the front lights. Can't compare price from UK, but most manufacturers are creeping their products up market, priced accordingly [+]. Useful review😊

[MrPiwi]

Over in Europe you get DAB-Radio as Standard, no more AM...

[xTHxMoDsZx]

3:13 - The key is still used to unlock and lock the door mechanically using the mechanical lock which is beneath a cover on the door handle.

[johnhodge]

Kamiq has great leg/headroom in the back & plenty of Space in the Front. The model I chose was the sel 1ltr dsg UK spec.

[paulaus]

The Dab+ thing is linked to a few other features like memory seats linked to individual keys. Same module that's not included in Australian cars anymore. The Karoq has had memory seats and Dab+ deleted for 2021 as well.

[rolfgreen]

Driven a few Skoda's in Europe. Found the best drive was to leave it in sports mode as the DCT lost the lag and yet there was no real change in fuel usage. Wonder if the Kamiq will be the same.

[MotoringBoxTV]

Aside from car reviewers, who actually wants 'sporty' suspension on a family SUV of any size?

[iu]

Detailed And very complete review bro good job PAUL.

[Felix-umzl]

The flip out key is for if the remote locking doesn’t work, then you can manually open the drivers door

[mrnicktoyou]

I had to reverse from an underground car park once (gate was broken, really steep to get back out) in a dual clutch Ford Mondeo diesel and it couldn't do it. It would either sit there burning the clutches or lurch backwards like it was dumping the clutch. Took me lot's of goes, it was appalling and embarrassing. But then, I also had an Audi A5 with a dual clutch and it was a much better gearbox though it still jerked a bit.

Keep calling out issues like that. It's much appreciated.