Skoda Kamiq 2024 (2024 - )

The Kamiq is the smallest of the trio of models in Skoda’s SUV line-up but it’s very big on popularity with excellent sales figures across Europe.

It gets its name from the Inuit people and now the stylish five-door car has been given some upgrades for 2024.

These include a fresh new look to accentuate its robust character, upgraded interiors with improved upholstery, upgraded technology and a more powerful range of engines to select from.

Customers can choose from trim levels called SE, SE L and Monte Carlo while there is a trio of engines on offer too with a pair of 1.0-litre petrol units delivering either 95PS or 116PS, plus a larger 1.5-litre unit with 150PS.

We opted for a model that was a European specification but fell somewhere between the SE and SE L over here. It was powered by the three-pot 1.0-litre engine but with the higher power output.

Skoda designers have worked hard to give the new Kamiq a stronger road presence with more robust styling cues to emphasise its SUV status.

These include a larger, more upright grille, new air intakes, slimmer light clusters, a redesigned lower bumper and three new wheel designs to choose from. At the rear, the LED fog lights are integrated into the bumper and there are segmented rear lights making the car more recognisable at night.

Some versions get a panoramic roof and, for the first time, LED Matrix lights are available on high-end models.

The interior boasts fresh upholstery with an eye on sustainability and there is an eight or nine-inch touchscreen depending on trim level, the larger of which comes with built-in navigation. Behind the steering wheel is an eight or 10.25-inch digital cockpit display with five different views and, congratulations to the design team that listened to customer feedback and reverted to a separate panel for all the climate control functions.

On-board technology includes full smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, plus powered front seats that can be heated along with the steering wheel.

All cars feature rear parking sensors, while front sensors along with a reversing camera are part of an optional Convenience Pack, priced at £1,000 and this is available on the SE and SE L models.

You don’t sit particularly high up in the Kamiq, but the all-round visibility does impress.

Powering our front-wheel drive Skoda Kamiq was a three-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine matched to a six-speed manual transmission. It was the higher-powered of the smaller units with an output of 116PS which is an increase of 6PS over the outgoing car.

And with 200Nm of torque, the vehicle can reach 62mph from a standing start in 9.7 seconds and maxes out at 121mph. While these performance stats will hardly leave you standing back in awe, it’s worth remembering the Kamiq is a compact SUV that priorities comfort and practicality over sheer pace.

That said; it’s no slouch either and we put it through its paces during a varied road route near Frankfurt. This included long stints on a motorway, some congested town centres and steep hill climbs. And the Kamiq coped really well.

It cruised at 70mph effortlessly eating up the motorway miles and was nicely balanced when tackling twisting ascents and descents. The steering was well weighted with ample driver feedback and the Kamiq is both agile and easy to manoeuvre in busier settings.

Drive modes called Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual alter the driving dynamics accordingly and the highly effective suspension set-up does a worthy job of smoothing out the bumps along the way.

My only slight gripe, if I were being extra picky, is that both engine and wind noise became more noticeable at higher speeds 

Practicality is an area where the Skoda Kamiq really excels. It’s like the TARDIS inside with ample space for four adults to sit comfortably without the back seat occupants complaining about leg room.

The vehicle stretches 4,241mm in length, is 1,988mm wide (including mirrors), 1,531mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,651mm. The boot, accessed via a manual tailgate (powered with kick sensor on the range-topper) also impresses with a capacity of 400 litres that can be increased to 1,395 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded forward.

In addition, there are numerous convenient storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin, including a decent-sized glovebox, deep door pockets with a section for storing a water bottle, a drawer below the front passenger seat, a small cubby bin beneath the front armrest and cup holders that could do with being a little larger and deeper if you intend carrying hot take-away coffee without the risk of spills.

The wireless charging pad now features a clever cooling function which prevents smartphones from overheating and, being a Skoda, there the usual Simply Clever extras. These include an umbrella that tucks away into the front passenger door and an ice scraper that’s clipped into the filler flap.

The Skoda Kamiq line-up costs from £24,030 for the 1.0 TSI 95PS SE version and increases to £32,065 for the 1.5 TSI 150PS with DSG automatic transmission.

Our test car, which was based on the entry-level SE car but featured a number of packs taking it closer to SE L grade, was priced at £24,960. While it is difficult to accurately break down the overall cost of the test car, the SE L model with the same powertrain costs £27,175 so it would be getting fairly close to that figure.

When it comes to the day-to-day running costs, the Kamiq 1.0 TSI 116PS can deliver a WLTP-tested 49.1-52.2mpg with carbon emissions of 122-130g/km. This CO2 output would result in a first-year road tax charge of £210, dropping down to the standard fee of £180 after 12 months.

The vehicle, as tested has a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 30 per cent and insurance group ratings are still to be confirmed.

The Kamiq is Skoda’s second-best selling car and has proved a resounding success with families looking for a practical SUV that is big on style, handling and practicality without breaking the bank.

The latest improvements will add to its all-round appeal and it’s certainly worth a test drive for anyone looking for a car that rivals the likes of the VW T-Cross, Kia Stonic and SEAT Arona.