Now the number four brand in Europe (EU27+EFTA+UK), Škoda is keeping the momentum going with ever more new and refreshed models, the Kamiq being the latest one.
China terrible, Europe terrific
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Greatly helped by a sales surge from the facelifted Octavia, Germany has become far and away the best market for the Czech marque. During the first half of 2024, Škoda sold 91,000 vehicles there with the brand potentially overtaking third placed Audi later this quarter (123,146 vs 123,600 as at 31 July). It is already a long way ahead of Opel (89,616) and Seat (67,780 and ranked sixth).
Another country where things are good is the Czech Republic (41,300 in H1) while the UK (37,600) also remains on the up as a major market. Best not mention China though (Škoda’s press releases no longer do) where the equivalent total was – gasp – 8,338. Of which just 1,200 locally-built vehicles were registered in July. A few years ago this would have been almost impossible to believe but now, it is what it is.
Ever more new models
This year, model launches – in Europe – have been non-stop. That includes not only the refreshed Octavia and new generations of the Superb and Kodiaq but updated versions of the Scala and Kamiq. Production of the latter two commenced at the main works in Mladá Boleslav in January. Cars are in UK dealerships, so time to assess the changes.
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By GlobalDataRevisions for the Kamiq were announced as long ago as August 2023. Unusually for a Volkswagen Group brand, there are no diesels. Nor do hybrids feature. Or any form of electrification; not even the mild kind.
Powertrain choices – each one TSI-branded – are as follows:
- 70 kW (95 PS) and 175 Nm, 999 cc, three cylinders, five-speed manual
- 85 kW (116 PS) and 200 Nm, 999 cc, three cylinders, six-speed manual or seven-ratio DSG
- 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm, 1,498 cc, four-cylinders with ACT fuel-saving deactivation, manual or auto
The sampled example came with the 116 PS engine which has gained 4 kW or 6 PS. It was hard to notice the extra power though the gearbox had a textbook shift, so smooth was it. As manual transmissions are steadily disappearing from cars in general this made the one in the Kamiq all the more delightful.
Brother of the T-Cross, Taigo, Arona and Q2
It has been a little over five years since Škoda first showed us its current B segment SUV and eight since the Roomster Scout predecessor was discontinued. The Kamiq took some time to arrive due to Volkswagen wanting no internal competition for the T-Cross.
Every version of this 4.2 m long model is still two-wheel drive. Pre-facelift there had been a rugged-looking Scoutline but it too put the power down via just one axle. Presumably it was lack of buyer interest which saw this variant discontinued a while back.
Not many Europeans want an all-wheel drive B-SUV (from any brand) then. But a lot of people in this part of the world are keen for a Kamiq. Having just spent seven days with one I can see the appeal. For such a small vehicle, it is ridiculously spacious. And the boot has to be seen to be believed. Even with a space saver spare stashed there (a GBP150.00 option).
Small is big
Škoda’s own registrations numbers reveal this to be its best-selling SUV. That applies not only for 2023 but 2022 and 2021 too. The Octavia remains the number one model worldwide – thanks in no small part to how it performs in Germany – sales amounting to 121,300 cars between 1 January and 30 June. That was a year-on-year gain of 24.1 per cent. The Kamiq was also up, by 4.7 per cent, to 61,100 and in second place ahead of the Fabia (56,800), Karoq (53,000) and Kodiaq (51,100).
There are few things which do not endear you to the little Škoda. The value proposition has shifted somewhat and that is my only general criticism. Would you believe that a reversing camera is reserved for Monte Carlo, the priciest trim level? The mid-range 116 PS 1.0-litre turbo six-speed manual SE L tester felt like a throwback in some ways. Select reverse and you hear beeps and some lines appear on the screen. Which is fine. But at GBP27,185, is it really? I would rather lose the now standard digital gauges cluster display if given the choice of that or being able to see how close a wall actually is.
Very roomy and very comfy
Comfort is a big plus point, the suspension not only being soft but somehow not too rolly-polly. The steering is light, the turning circle small, doors are solid-satisfying, plastics far nicer than they had been pre-facelift and glazing is generous.
There are now two USB-C sockets up front, door bins are big and phones can be slotted into little compartments in the backs of the front seats. The glovebox, meanwhile, will take a lot of odds and sods, making the tiny cubby below the central armrest somehow disappointing. At least its top looks and feels good, as does the dashboard thanks to recycled fabrics and in some model grades, hemp detailing.
Deactivating Lane-Centring is a bit of a faff (you cannot do it via steering wheel buttons) but the tugging is way less intrusive than had been the case. And that touchscreen is also intelligently laid out, most functions being quick to locate. Škoda also gives you HVAC buttons. Even if some of these only then add an extra step leading you to the screen.
External changes
Approaching the new model, owners of a pre-facelift example might notice different paint colours; new wheels, lights and aprons front and back; more chrome-effect trim for the grille; and Matrix LED headlights which are an option for the first time.
Length is quoted as being 4,241 mm – slightly different thanks to the new bumpers – with the 2,651 mm wheelbase unchanged of course. Boot space I mentioned above but its specifics are 400 and 1,395 litres.
Summary
Well in excess of 400,000 Kamiqs have now been sold worldwide, the company notes. Around 10 per cent of those have been exported to Britain, only the Czech Republic and Germany being bigger markets for the model. With the updated model already selling well, surely the half-million sales mark will have been comfortably crossed by the time production eventually ends.
The as-tested Kamiq SE L 1.0 TSI 116 PS manual emits 126-130 g/km of CO2, returns an official 49.2-50.8 mpg, touches 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and has a top speed of 121 mph.
Next models
The Elroq is the next new SUV for the brand, set to have its world debut in October or November. This Karoq-sized rear- and all four-wheel drive EV joins the Enyaq as well as the future Epiq (4.1 m long FWD SUV, to be built in Spain). The Kylaq, a special model for India based on the low-cost MQB A0 IN platform, follows from next March. Škoda says this is similar to the Sanskrit word for crystal, a link to the company’s HQ in the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic.
There is of course also much to report when it comes to other IC-powered Skodas. The PHEV Octavia was not announced at the same time as the rest of the facelifted model range back in Feb. Instead, its debut happens in the next quarter. All-wheel drive Octavias are also on the way, coming in 2025.
