Skoda Kamiq Review 2025

Sitting below the larger Skoda Karoq in the current line-up, the Skoda Kamiq is one of the older cars in the Skoda line-up. Many of its key rivals are also getting on a bit, though, and few can compete in terms of value. It remains one of the best small SUVs around – we'll explain why in our Skoda Kamiq review.

"Something that fits as perfectly as a second skin in every situation" is how the name 'Kamiq' translates from Inuit, Skoda says. But does the car work out that way in reality? It depends, really, on what sort of car you're after. It's at the smaller end of the SUV realm, so it's far from the most practical thing out there, but we reckon it should blend into everyday life for most drivers very well indeed. 

Launching in 2019, it's now one of the older cars in the current Skoda line-up, beaten only by the 2017-on Skoda Karoq, while the mechanically Skoda Scala is roughly the same age. The thing is, the Skoda Kamiq's key rivals are similarly long in the tooth.

These include the Volkswagen T-Cross and SEAT Arona, which the Kamiq shares a platform, engines and technology with, plus the Ford Puma, Renault Captur and Nissan Juke. The Puma is probably the best of the lot, being more practical than the Kamiq and better to drive, but the Skoda is a little cheaper and has a stronger engine line-up. 

Continual updates have helped keep the Skoda Kamiq competitive, with the most major of these coming in 2024. The compact SUV gained refreshed looks with a new lighting arrangement featuring super-slim clusters above large, square(ish) full-beam units, redesigned rear clusters, and tweaked bumpers front and rear.

There are also fresh wheel and colour options, but it's still far from the most outlandishly styled car of its type. The Renault Captur is the car to beat on that front, which is looking particularly sharp after its own mid-life facelift.

The tweaked Skoda Kamiq isn't drastically different in the aesthetics department, and it still looks more like a slightly jacked-up hatchback rather than a 'proper' SUV that might have some sort of off-road ability. That's fairly typical for this part of the market, however, with most rivals coming with low roofs and only modest ground clearance. 

The 2024 Skoda Kamiq update also brought with it a raft of interior improvements, including a more user-friendly climate control panel and fabric cladding for the dashboard made from recycled materials. It's definitely a more premium-feeling car inside than it used to be, but you can still tell it's on the cheaper end of the Skoda range when spying some of the harder plastics in use. 

The Skoda Kamiq has a relatively long wheelbase for a car of its size, which provides one of the roomier cabins in the class. Boot space is reasonable enough at 400 litres, but that's far from the class best. There's a total of 1395 litres once the rear seat bench is folded. 

Another range of improvements for the 2024-on version can be found under the bonnet. The 1.0 TSI  petrol engine – which we've always thought was the pick of the bunch – gets a 6PS boost to give a total of 116PS, with peak power now available for a broader spread of revs. The 150PS 1.5 TSI is no more powerful than before, but it does benefit from improved cylinder deactivation software to make the fuel-saving process smoother. 

These engines can be combined either with a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed 'DSG' dual-clutch automatic, while the entry-level 95PS 1.0 TSI is only available with a five-speed manual. If you're looking at an early used example of the Kamiq, there's also the option of a 1.6 diesel engine. 

Even the entry-level SE is now well-equipped, but if you're after more equipment, there are three further trim levels to choose from. The style-conscious out there will particularly appreciate the Monte Carlo with its black trim elements and diamond-cut wheels. 

The Monte Carlo isn't much more sporty to drive, though, even with its 'Sport Chassis' adaptive suspension. No version of the Kamiq has much of an interest in being driven in a spirited manner, focusing more on comfort, something it mostly does well, both in terms of ride comfort and refinement. 

Despite being one of the cheapest models in the range, Skoda hasn't skimped on the 'Simply Clever' features in the Kamiq. Included is the now iconic umbrella, here neatly stashed within the passenger-side door, an ice scraper under the fuel cap and neat phone pouches on the backs of the front seats, with further neat touches available optionally. 

If you want a comfortable small SUV, then you are unlikely to be disappointed with the Kamiq, with its light steering and soft suspension providing a laid-back and relaxing driving experience.

Models with 16 or 17-inch wheels are the most comfortable, thanks in no small part due to the deep tyre profile and thick sidewalls. Potholes and speed humps provide a bit more of a thump with the 18-inch wheels, but the ride quality generally remains on the comfortable side of firm. 

The light steering and soft-sprung suspension make the Kamiq somewhat vague when it comes to road handling. If you want to sharpen up the driving involvement, the Monte Carlo comes with the Sport Chassis pack, which lowers the suspension by 15mm and adds adaptable damping with different driving modes - normal, sport and individual.

This alone isn't reason enough to upgrade to the Monte Carlo, though. It makes the ride quality very hard at low speeds and doesn’t really benefit the road handling all that much.

You don't get the option of four-wheel drive, which means the Kamiq is strictly front-wheel drive only. However, if you live in a rural location or need something to tackle wintry terrain, then the Kamiq is compatible with a wide range of all-season and winter tyres.

The Kamiq’s compact size makes it perfect for city driving. Most versions get rear parking sensors as standard, while a rear view camera and park assist - which automatically steers the car into parking space - are available as optional extras.

If you are buying a new Kamiq, then your engine choices will be limited to the 1.0 or 1.5 petrols only. The 1.6 TDI diesel was phased out in 2021.

There's no hybrid option, nor is there an EV. The Kamiq's electric equivalent will be the Skoda Epiq.

The 116PS 1.0 TSI petrol is the best engine in the Kamiq range, with zesty performance and affordable fuel costs. The turbocharged three-cylinder petrol is identical to the engine found in the Volkswagen T-Roc and we rate it as one of the very best 1.0-litre petrol engines, due to its punchy nature and low noise at motorway speeds.

The 1.0 TSI is also available with 95PS but this engine feels a little lethargic in the Kamiq, which means it can become vocal under hard acceleration. It's only available with a five-speed manual gearbox, and can only be combined with the entry-level SE trim and the Design. 

Available from the SE L and Monte Carlo trim grades, the 150PS 1.5 TSI is the most powerful engine in the Kamiq range, with 0-62mph taking around eight seconds - a figure that’s two seconds quicker than the 1.0 TSI. In the facelifted, manual-equipped 1.5 we tested, there was a surprising amount of lag between applying the accelerator and the car responding, while under 2000rpm, the Kamiq is particularly sluggish. 

Unless you really want the extra performance of the 1.5 or plan to use your Kamiq for towing, we’d stick with the 116PS 1.0 TSI. 

The Skoda Kamiq was given a maximum five stars for safety when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2019. That includes a 96 per cent score for adult occupants and 85 per cent for children. It was also given an 80 per cent rating for vulnerable road users and 76 per cent for its safety assist features. Just bear in mind that the NCAP tests become more stringent over time – it's hard to know how well the car might fare if tested again today. 

There are two airbags at the front for the driver and passenger, along with automatic emergency braking and two Isofix child seat anchor points for the outer rear seats. You get an additional Isofix point for the front passenger seat. The Kamiq also gets Skoda’s Emergency-Call system that will automatically call 999 and relay the car’s position if it detects a serious impact.

All versions of the Kamiq come with a rear-view parking camera, front assist and lane assistance. A driver knee airbag and rear side airbags can be added as part of the optional Safety Package. Matrix LED headlights will give you a better view at night by allowing you to use your full beam without dazzling other drivers, but only the Monte Carlo gets these as standard. They're optional on the SE L if you're happy to part with around £1700.

The lane assistance is quite aggressive, and we frequently found it triggering erroneously, for instance, when driving near the edge of resurfaced sections of road surface. 

The Kamiq can be fitted with a tow bar that can be electronically folded or deployed at the press of a button. The braked towing capacity will very much depend on which version of the Kamiq you drive, but generally it ranges from 100kg to 1250kg. 

The Skoda Kamiq measures just 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, yet it has enough space to carry four adults in comfort. We think the Kamiq is one of the most spacious small SUVs, with good levels of head and shoulder room for those in the rear seats. 

The front seats have lots of space to stretch out and relax. Most versions of the Kamiq are fitted with height-adjustable front seats and a central armrest, which means it’s easy to get comfortable.  

The Skoda Kamiq can’t match the best small SUVs for boot space, but you do get 400 litres of storage that will easily accommodate two or three large suitcases. The Ford Puma, for comparison, offers 456 litres plus a further 80 litres in its under-floor 'Megabox' compartment. The boot shape in the Kamiq is square, at least, which means it’s easy to make the most of the space on offer. 

The rear seats fold in a 40/60 split, but they don't lie entirely flat once down. In this configuration, there's a total of 1395 litres of capacity available. 

The Peugeot 2008 is the best small SUV for interior quality, and the Skoda Kamiq can’t compare here with an abundance of hard and cheap-looking plastics that are robust, but not all that pleasant to the touch. Things do improve as you go up the Kamiq's trim levels, as higher quality seat fabrics and ambient lighting are introduced.

Post-facelift models do feel more upmarket inside, thanks partly to the new fabric-clad sections on the dashboard, although the Monte Carlo switches these for a faux carbon-fibre finish, which won't be to everyone's liking. Cheap-looking manual air conditioning has been dropped entirely, with climate control fitted across the range. 

Despite the dull and scratchy plastics, the interior is easy to use and driver-friendly. You also get proper buttons for the climate controls and a leather multifunction steering wheel with buttons for audio volume, phone controls and the trip computer.

Skoda has some of the best infotainment tech in the business, and the Kamiq works really well with the 9.2-inch navigation system. It's one of the best systems out there, with a super crisp touchscreen display that provides instant screen changes and intelligent route directions. The navigation system features live traffic updates, which means you are automatically rerouted to avoid delays or road problems. 

Earlier Skoda Kamiq SE models had to make do with an eight-inch system, which was noticeably slower and lacked both navigation and Android Auto connectivity. Now, though, the larger unit is fitted as standard across the range, along with the smart 'virtual cockpit' 10.25-inch instrument cluster. 

The latter includes several different modes. You can, for instance, have a classic rev counter and speedometer, or display the speed along the bottom with the map taking up most of the screen. Disappointingly, though, the latter function only works with the car's in-built navigation – it's not possible to beam across an app like Google Maps, which you might be using in conjunction with the wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. 

With prices starting at just under £25,000, the Skoda Kamiq is competitive on price, but far from the cheapest option in the class. Previously, we considered the entry-level SE to be a little too basic, but it's now much better equipped, including the same Virtual Cockpit and 9.2-inch infotainment combination as the more expensive Kamiqs, plus a rear parking camera. 

The Kamiq Design builds on this with some styling tweaks for £26,000 and up, while an SE L is a little over £28,000. The range-topping Monte Carlo starts from just over £30,000, rising to a punchy £33,000 if paired with the 1.5 TSI engine. Our pick of the bunch is a Kamiq SE L with the 116PS 1.0 TSI, the cheapest engine it's available with. It offers a good balance between equipment levels and value. It costs about £29,500 if you'd prefer it with an automatic gearbox instead of a manual.

The Kamiq SE undercuts the cheapest Ford Puma by about £1500, and although there's not much in it when comparing the Kamiq with the closely related Volkswagen T-Cross, the lower trim levels of the latter aren't as generously equipped as the Skoda's. The Renault Captur range has a lower starting point than any of those at around £22,000, although the price rises sharply if upgrading to fancier trim levels and/or the more powerful hybrid engine. 

As an older model, the earliest examples of the Kamiq have been around long enough to depreciate below the £10,000 mark. The Kamiq is also one of the cheapest to insure small SUVs on the market, which will be a boon for younger drivers. 

When the Kamiq was launched in 2019 buyers had the choice of 1.0 or 1.5 petrols and a single 1.6 diesel. The 1.6 TDCI was axed from the line-up in 2021, but it is still the most efficient engine on paper with official fuel economy peaking at 67mpg. 

If you cover shorter runs or want a petrol engine, then the Kamiq is available with Volkswagen Group’s familiar 1.0 TSI engine. The three-cylinder turbocharged engine is very good and will return up to 52mpg, according to Skoda's official figures, although you'll lose about 1.5mpg if speccing the DSG automatic. 

The 1.5 TSI petrol engine is the most powerful in the Kamiq range, but you won't be punished at the pumps with Skoda quoting up to 49mpg for the manual and just over 48mpg for the DSG.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) car tax is charged at a flat rate, and there are no models in the Kamiq range that exceed £40,000, which means you will only incur the premium road tax rate if you tick every possible optional extra.

The Skoda Kamiq's trim structure has changed only slightly, now consisting of SE, Design, SE L and Monte Carlo. If you're looking at older models, the equivalent of Design was SE Drive, while SE L was formerly SE L executive. 

The Skoda Kamiq SE features the following equipment as standard: 

• 17-inch 'Stratos' alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Rear LED lights
• Leather steering wheel
• 9.2-inch infotainment system
• 10.25-inch virtual cockpit
• Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
• Cruise control
• Dual zone climate control 
• Keyless ignition
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear parking camera

Upgrading to the Skoda Kamiq Design adds:

• 17-inch 'Propus' black alloy wheels
• Black roof Black door mirrors
• Tinted rear side windows
• 'Dynamic' interior with black upholstery
• Sports seats
• Red dashboard trim
• Microsuede trim inserts
• Three-spoke sports leather steering wheel
• Red and white interior ambient lighting
• Black roof headlining
• Aluminium pedals
• Rear centre armrest

Upgrading to the Skoda Kamiq SE L adds:

• 18-inch 'Fomax' alloy wheels
• Chrome exterior trim
• Rear 'dynamic turn' indicators
• Grey microsuede inserts Heated front seats
• Drive mode selector
• Electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors
• Front parking sensors
• Keyless entry and start/stop
• Light sensors
• Rain sensors

Upgrading to the Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo adds:

• Black exterior trim
• Cornering fog lights
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Sports steering wheel
• Adaptive cruise control
• Adaptive dampers