Ian Lamming takes a detailed look at the latest Skoda Kamiq
THE devil is very much in the detail and when you look beyond the obvious this is a very clever car.
Granted, in graphite grey, the latest Skoda Kamiq is innocuous, fine without being flash, and you could quite easily overlook it in the car park.
But when you get more acquainted with the small SUV it does become much more endearing for the little things, the tiny design features that make life that bit easier.
How many times have you got your hands covered in clart while trying to close the hatchback? Even worse, have you ever slipped off the mucky lower edge and ripped at least three fingernails off your right hand? Well, not with Kamiq. On the inside of the tailgate is a big chunky handle dangling down like a pull-chain that makes closing the boot a breeze. And because it’s on the interior it stays clean, as does your hand.
While I’m in the boot, how many times have you filled the load floor with shopping bags only for them to topple over when you hit the first bend. When you reach home the boot looks like a supermarket raided by a post-apocalyptic mob.
In the Skoda there are substantial hooks on the sides of the bulkhead and back of the seats on which you can loop your plaggy bag handles – sheer genious. There are also tie points on the floor and at least two sizes of cargo net so nothing need ever roll around – brilliant.
Finally, how many times have you been caught in an impromptu, un-forecasted downpour? The weather is sunny and warm when you set off so you leave the mack at home only to be greeted with biblical rainfall before teatime? Well, Skoda designers have obviously been there before and provide a natty little brolly in the driver’s door – fabulous.
Things like these make all the difference to modern motoring because very few cars think to provide them and Skoda does. These designers must actually drive cars on a daily basis to come up with what owners really need.
Something else motorists really need is a full size spare. When manufacturers replaced them with a load of gunk in a can and some hot air they were the only ones to benefit as they saved a fortune not having to make the fifth wheel. Stricken motorists suffered and the work of recovery companies increased exponentially because it wasn’t a fair trade.
Lift the boot floor on the Kamiq and there it is, resplendent in its own housing, a full size wheel with a jack in the middle – amazing.
Inside the fixtures and fittings are recognisably Skoda and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. There are some buttons so you aren’t overly reliant on the touchscreen, which is great, and it is very easy to navigate. Equipment levels are high and you’ll want for little.
Kamiq is powered by a 1.0 three cylinder petrol turbo which does a sterling job. It sounds pleasantly rorty because it’s only a triple and there is plenty of power right across the rev range. Economy is strong too with 50+mpg easily achieved.
Ride and handling are safe and sound and it’s as happy on the open road as it is in town. It’s a five speed manual but the action is slick and the clutch nice and light.
As a package Kamiq performs very well indeed and its ingenuity and attention to detail shines through.
Fact File
Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0 TSi
Engine: 1.0 petrol turbo
Power: 95PS
0-62mph: 11 secs
Top speed: 113mph
Combined MPG: 51.8
Transmission: five-speed manual
CO2 g/km: 124
Price: £24,850.00 with extras
