The small SUV segment is one of the most competitive and crowded in the automotive market, with dozens of models vying for the attention and wallets of buyers who want a practical, versatile, and stylish vehicle. Among them, the Skoda Kamiq stands out as a spacious, well-equipped, and affordable option that offers a lot of bang for your buck.
The Kamiq is Skoda's entry-level SUV, sitting below the larger Karoq and Kodiaq in the brand's lineup. It was launched in 2019 and quickly became Skoda's best-selling SUV in Europe, thanks to its generous interior space, clever features, and efficient engines. The Kamiq has received a facelift for 2024, with updated styling, new technology, and enhanced safety.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what the 2024 Skoda Kamiq has to offer and how it compares to some of its main rivals in the small SUV category.
What's new for the 2024 Skoda Kamiq?
The 2024 Skoda Kamiq has been mildly refreshed to keep it fresh and modern in the face of newer competitors. The changes are not radical but give the Kamiq a more rugged and distinctive look.
At the front, the 2024 Skoda Kamiq has a larger and more upright grille, with more pronounced double slats that form a U-shape at the lower end. The lower diffuser is also redesigned, and the headlights have been tweaked. The upper light is slimmer and incorporates the daytime running lights. For the first time, the Kamiq is available with matrix LED headlights as an option, which can block out sections of their beam to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.
At the rear, the 2024 Skoda Kamiq has a new bumper with more body-colored surfaces and a black central diffuser section. The 'Skoda' lettering on the tailgate is also slimmer and more angular. The Kamiq is available in nine different colors, including a new Phoenix Orange metallic option. The Color Concept pack offers a contrasting black roof, A-pillar, and door mirrors.
Inside, the 2024 Skoda Kamiq has a fully digital dashboard as standard. An 8.0-inch instrument display is standard, with an optional 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit offering a choice of several different layouts. The central infotainment screen is also larger than before, measuring 8.25 inches as standard and 9.2 inches as an option. The latter comes with satellite navigation by default.
The interior quality and design of the 2024 Skoda Kamiq are largely unchanged from the previous model, which is not bad. The Kamiq has a high-quality cabin with plenty of soft-touch materials and ergonomic controls. It also has many of Skoda's trademark 'Simply Clever' features, such as an umbrella under the passenger seat, a ticket holder on the windshield, and an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap.
How spacious is the 2024 Skoda Kamiq?
One of the main selling points of the 2024 Skoda Kamiq is its spaciousness. Despite being one of the smallest SUVs in its class, measuring 4241 mm long and 1793 mm wide, it offers plenty of room for passengers and luggage.
The 2024 Skoda Kamiq has a generous wheelbase of 2651 mm, which translates into ample legroom for both front and rear occupants. Even tall adults will have no problem sitting comfortably in the back seats, thanks to the high roofline and adjustable headrests. The rear doors also open wide for easy access.
The boot space of the 2024 Skoda Kamiq is also impressive for its size. It can hold up to 400 liters of cargo with the rear seats up and up to 1395 liters with them folded down. That's more than many of its rivals, such as the Nissan Juke (422/1305 liters), Volkswagen T-Cross (385/1281 liters), or Ford Puma (456/1216 liters). The boot floor is adjustable in height, and there are hooks, nets, and compartments to secure your items. There's also an optional electric tailgate for added convenience.
What engines are available for the 2024 Skoda Kamiq?
The 2024 Skoda Kamiq is available with three petrol engines in Europe, all based on Volkswagen Group's turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit. The entry-level engine produces 94 horsepower and comes with a five-speed manual gearbox. The mid-range engine delivers 109 horsepower and can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line engine offers 148 horsepower and comes exclusively with the automatic gearbox.
All engines are front-wheel drive only, as Skoda does not offer an all-wheel drive option for the Kamiq. However, the 2024 Skoda Kamiq has an optional Sport Chassis Control system, which lowers the ride height by 10 mm and allows the driver to adjust the suspension stiffness between Normal and Sport modes.
The 2024 Skoda Kamiq is not a performance-oriented SUV but offers adequate acceleration and fuel economy for most drivers. The 94-horsepower engine can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 11.1 seconds and achieve up to 49.6 mpg (US) on the combined cycle. The 109-horsepower engine can do the same in 10.2 seconds and 48.7 mpg (US), while the 148-horsepower engine can do it in 8.3 seconds and 44.4 mpg (US).
Skoda has not announced any plans to introduce a hybrid or electric version of the Kamiq, unlike some of its rivals, such as the Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona, or Honda HR-V. However, Skoda has a fully electric SUV in its portfolio, the Skoda Enyaq iV, based on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.4.
How safe is the 2024 Skoda Kamiq?
The 2024 Skoda Kamiq is a very safe SUV, as evidenced by its five-star rating from Euro NCAP in 2019. It comes with a comprehensive list of standard and optional safety features, including:
- Front assist with city emergency brake and pedestrian protection
- Lane assist
- Driver fatigue alert
- Rear parking sensors
- Six airbags
- Isofix child seat anchors
- Tire pressure monitoring system
Some of the optional safety features for the 2024 Skoda Kamiq are:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind spot detection
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Park Assist
- Rearview camera
- Traffic sign recognition
- Emergency assist
The new Skoda Kamiq also benefits from Skoda's Care Connect service, which provides remote access to the vehicle via a smartphone app, as well as emergency call and breakdown call functions.
How does the 2024 Skoda Kamiq compare to its rivals?
The 2024 Skoda Kamiq faces stiff competition from many other small SUVs in the market, but it has some advantages that make it stand out from the crowd.
One of them is its spaciousness, as we have already mentioned. The Kamiq offers more room for passengers and luggage than most of its rivals, making it a practical choice for families or anyone needing a versatile vehicle.
Another advantage is its value for money. The Kamiq is one of the most affordable small SUVs in its class, with a starting price of around $31,000 (estimated) in Europe. It also comes with a generous level of standard equipment, including LED headlights and taillights, alloy wheels, a digital dashboard, an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, and more.
A third advantage is its quality and reliability. The Kamiq is built on Volkswagen Group's MQB A0 platform, which is shared with other models such as the Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen T-Cross, Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona, and Audi A1. This means that the Skoda Kamiq benefits from proven technology and engineering, as well as high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Skoda also has a reputation for making durable and dependable vehicles that last for a long time.
Of course, the Skoda Kamiq is not perfect, and it has some drawbacks that might deter some buyers. For instance, some might find its style too conservative or bland compared to some of its flamboyant or futuristic rivals. Others might prefer a more powerful or efficient engine than Kamiq offers. And some might want an all-wheel drive option or a hybrid or electric variant that the Kamiq does not have.
Ultimately, choosing a small SUV depends on your preferences and needs. But suppose you are looking for a spacious, well-equipped, affordable, and reliable vehicle that can easily handle most driving situations. In that case, you should definitely consider the 2024 Skoda Kamiq as one of your options.
