Škoda Kamiq SE L, an enjoyable SUV

In Car Reviews, Skoda by Jonathan Humphrey

Any gaps in the market, manufacturers have covered, with three SUV’s from Škoda, the Kamiq is just right.

The Škoda Kamiq is a car that would just fit the bill for many, good looking, not overly fancy, flashy, fast or OTT in any way. Everything it does, it does brilliantly, well-considered, from the pleasing sharp angles of the bodywork to the neat interior – plush and with as many extras as you would want, dashboard, easy to use, intuitive and not at all confusing.

The whole car just does it all efficiently and refreshingly well, ‘simply clever is the Škoda catchphrase and the Kamiq is just that.

You could call it boring, but it certainly is not. I have been fortunate to drive the Kamiq quite a few times over the last years on some pretty lengthy trips, even from Edinburgh to Bournemouth. What strikes me recently about the Kamiq whilst trickling around the blocked arteries in the South is just how enjoyable a simpler car can be.

It’s far from basic, in fact, loaded with pretty much everything you would want, many safety systems, heated seats, attractive alloys, 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment that sounds good with wireless apple carplay/android auto, much, much more. Don’t forget there’s a handy umbrella slotted into the drivers’ door and one of my favourites, a sliding armrest, ‘cushty’.

For some, the brief of buying a car is more easily covered. You just want something good-looking, but not too fancy, economical, honest, good value and reliable. This is the Kamiq. Stiff competition is out there from many manufacturers, but the Kamiq is easily a car you should genuinely consider.

The Kamiq SE L tested is still a sharp-looking SUV, in the race blue metallic blue of the loan car; following each drive, I was drawn to notice the slick touches in the design style and precision within Skoda cars over the years.

A noticeable attribute is just how quiet the engine is in all types of driving. The 1.5-litre petrol engine is very well suited to the seven-speed DSG auto transmission. On the road, the Kamiq is quicker than you may think, with 0-62mph of 8.2 secs and a top speed of 133 mph. Relaxed long distances have always been a Škoda forte. No flappy paddles or sports buttons to press, just an appropriate right amount of power when needed. Notably, overtaking was swift and easy.

Some say it is an SUV, but it is just a sliver above the height of a regular saloon. It gives you a slightly command driving position, but more the feeling of a well-built saloon car.

On the inside, it’s notably roomy and airy thanks to the pale headline material and black/silver microsuede seats with orange stitching and the silver dash material. Everything looks pretty hard-wearing, pleasing to the eye and not as dark as some Škoda cars can be.

The largish boot has a handy shelf with space below to conceal items such as laptop and handbags from view a nice useable touch. Space available is 400 litres expandable to 1395 litre seats down for those more oversized items.

The lighting signatures front and back and sweeping rear indicators are particularly attractive. It was also extraordinarily good just how bright the LED head lighting was, along some country back lanes on the road at night.

I was driving around for more than a week in the Kamiq, mainly with a lot of slow town driving and a few long trips. I easily achieved just over 40mpg, which impressed me.

Reflecting on my week, I am pretty fond of the Škoda Kamiq, it would tick the boxes for many; this is a very good car.

Car reviewed: Škoda Kamiq SE L 1.5 TSI 150PS DSG

on the road price £25,655 as tested £28,665

  • 0-62mph 8.3secs
  • Top speed 134mph
  • Engine 1498cc 4-cylinder unleaded
  • Fuel Economy WLTP Combined 45.6-41.5mpg
  • Max Power 150PS@5000rpm
  • Torque 250Nm@1500rpm
  • CO2 emissions 140-155g/km
  • Transmission 7-speed DSG automatic
  • Bootspace 270 / 119 1itres (seats folded)
  • Dimensions MM 4241L / 1793W / 1553H

Jonathan Humphrey

The man from Drive.co.uk

After many, many years of being passionate about cars, spending too much money on cars and too much time driving. I now spend my time running and developing Drive.co.uk and creating a bold expressive new motoring lifestyle website along with some very good writers.