So can the Skoda Kamiq be as good as the Scala?
Exterior – Front
So, let’s start with the styling at the front and just like the Scala Facelift, Skoda has given their car a more rounded look rather than just straight lines. We get a bigger grill with more curves in it giving it a more interesting look. We also get a new design to the lower central air vent, and we get some bigger side vents too. the headlights are also different with them having a curvier and bigger unit. There is also more curve to the bumper too. to finish the Skoda SUV, look off we get the split LED Day Time Running lights from the headlights.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and we get a sense of preimmunises to it. Unlike other crossovers in this class, we don’t get any mat black plastic cladding giving this car a more premium look like what you would find on an expensive Audi or BMW. This is a good thing in my opinion. We also get chrome too and a few sharp creases to finish of the interesting look. We also get new colour and wheel options too.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and we get a very similar design to the pre facelift, but it has been tweaked to make it more modern. To start with we get the new Skoda lettering, and we also get a new set of taillights just like what the Scala had with its hidden boot lid trick. The bumper is also new with bigger reflectors that have more style to them than before. we also get some mat black plastic trim, but it has been shaped in a way to look premium and sporty which I do like. Overall then I really like the sporty and new but premium design. The question is though are the engines any good. Let’s have a look and see what engine options you can have with the new Skoda Kamiq Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, there is no surprise that the Skoda Kamiq and Scala share the same engine options. This means there is 3 engine options and 3 gearbox options all of them petrol. So, the first engine is a 1 litre petrol engine with 91bhp. this can do 0-62 in 11 seconds and the power goes through a 5-speed manual only. The next engine is the same engine, but the power has increased to 110 bhp. this reduces the 0-62 time down to 9.7 seconds and this can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 7 speed DSG gearbox. Finally, the last engine is the 1.5 litre petrol engine with 146 bhp. 0-62 is reduced down to 8.3 seconds and again power is sent through a 6-speed manual or a 7 Speed Automatic DSG gearbox. The price of the new Skoda Kamiq facelift starts at £24,030. Let’s have a look at the interior.
Interior – Design
So, climbing inside and to be honest you won’t notice any big changes over the pre facelift but there are a few to talk about. Throughout the whole range you now get a digital instrument cluster as standard. The USB ports have also been upgraded to USB C ports. There is now also one USB C mounted near the rear-view mirror for a dash cam, so you don’t have to mount cables everywhere which is a nice idea. You also get gesture control for the infotainment system too. now talking of the infotainment system, I would have liked the newer version based on the Volkswagen MIB 4 but that might have been pushing it a bit maybe. This infotainment system is great and simple to use though and is just like any other MIB2 and 3 software that we find in the previous generation of Volkswagens. Now because we haven’t got the MIB4 software it does mean that we get physical climate control buttons. They are very easy to use and very easy to see too. we do get a few more physical buttons too. there are some new materials inside, and the front seats are very comfy and premium feeling, even better than the Volkswagen if you ask me. You also get a manual hand brake too. finally, the front passenger seat also has ISOFIX points too. let’s have a look at the rear seats.
Practicality
So, getting into the back seats and legroom and headroom is on par with its rivals for a 6-footer. It is quite comfortable in the back too and we also get some interesting designs on the door cards as well as an arm rest and some air vents and USB C ports. Mainly this is where kids will be and getting a child seat in the back is very easy to do as the door opening is quite wide and the ISOFIX points are easy to find. Sitting 3 people in will be ok but because of the big hump in the floor the foot area will be a squeeze. That might be why there is a storage thing in place there that can be moved. Let’s have a look at the boot
Boot Size
So, the boot size in the Scala was class leading. Can the Kamiq do just as well. Not quite. Now it does have 400 litres of space with the seats up which is pretty good and is better than the Mokka and 2008 but there are rivals which have a bigger boot like the Nissan Juke. With the seats down it does increase to 1,395 litres which isn’t bad for a small family crossover.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Skoda Kamiq. Well, the design is definitely better than before and the interior is better than its rivals. Practicality is ok for a small family but if you wanted more boot space then you may have to go bigger for the Skoda Karoq or go to another brand.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 3/5
Total 12/15
Model | Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo |
Engine | 1.5l, 146bhp, 0-62 = 8.3 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | 6 Speed Manual |
Price | £29,285 |
On Sale | Now |
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